I'l Fana Kelbé (The White Hart) Contract: 'Retaking a Memory'

[Artemis Black]

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Artemis was blinded by the opulence on display and terribly annoyed he couldn’t take any of it with him. Even a fraction of the pocket change in this room and he could rebuild the warehouse from the ground up. ‘On mission, minimum interaction. Isolate target, get into position with team,’ he thought to himself as Katarya got waylaid by a sour-faced woman.

He turned, scooping Katarya’s tray from her hand as the noble took the glass. He leaned in as he moved, whispering faintly to the Witch, “Follow, put on a show.” Then he twirled away from her, taking broad steps and moving between small clusters of partygoers to offer them the trays in grand sweeping gestures. He moved the trays slightly as guests reached for their drinks. Dropping or raising them and offering a broad flash of a smile and a wink. He was taking the position of a specialist. Here to draw attention, to push the boundaries of what servants could do.

Katarya watched Artemis move through this noble throng as if he were born into it! She suddenly felt awkward without the tray; what did he expect her to do?

She made her way slowly, but tried to act as if she had a purpose, but all she could do with return the looks with averting her eyes, out of respect (a respect she didn’t feel in the slightest).

Her feet led her in a roundabout way towards the Lord and Lady Dirge. A few people were around them, listening to the boisterous lord talking about a hunting trip where he had been a hero and brought down “a demon of a boar! As big as a house! As strong as a hundred horses. But it was no match for me! Isn’t that right, dear?”

Lady Dirge inclined her head. “Yes, dear,” she replied, automatically, and without much feeling. Despite being the lady of the house, her own attire was modest. She wore a simple necklace of pearls and diamond, a single ring, and a bracelet of extraordinary design. Silver, though it gleamed even in the soft light. It was encrusted with sapphires, and engraved so that it was made up of leaves and flowers.

To Kat’s eyes, it seemed more of a small wrist-guard. She made her way over, nodding as she passed by the woman. “Miruvor,” She murmured the spell; a charm to make the woman feel tired, nothing drastic (Kat wasn’t going to risk anything bigger), and then moved away as Lady Dirge suddenly sighed, putting a hand to her head.

The Lord noticed, but seemed more irritated than concerned. “What is it, dear?” He asked, impatiently.

“Just a light headache. I fear I am over-tired,” the Lady replied with a sigh.

Kat made he way away from the group, passing Artemis and whispering. “You’re up. Get her away from them.” Artemis whirled away from his latest group of guests, passing Katarya an empty tray as he moved. He had a single pair of glasses remaining, centered and splendid, as he approached the Lord and Lady.

“Such a wonderful affair my Lord,” he said, bowing at the waist and holding the tray above his bent form. Lord Dirge eyed Artemis lasciviously as he chuckled and palmed his glass. Artemis raised an eyebrow and lowered the tray when Lady Dirge did not take the other.

“If I may, my Lord,” he said, strutting around the man with his hips forward. “We have something in the kitchen that banish a headache like the dawn. Have your Lady back by your side as radiant as she deserves to be,” he smiled, winking at Lord Dirge and never taking his eyes off the man. Lady Dirge seemed to notice the dynamic of this overly familiar servant and her husband. She also noticed an opportunity to escape the boorish man, if only for a moment.

“Yes, I think that would do nicely,” she said, shooing Artemis with her presence before following behind. “You must excuse me for the briefest moment husband.” Artemis followed the route Katarya had taken, strutting his way across the room with the Lady in tow.

[Katarya Frost]

Katarya had stopped by a rather spectacular flower display, the gap between it and the kitchen would serve as a good place to ambush the woman. The witch actually felt herself pitying the woman; then she reminded herself of all that this noblewoman had that she had her friends would never have, and her resolve hardened.

Artemis seemed on fine form, escorting the noble lady in her direction. She seemed quite taken with him, or she was simply relieved to be away from her husband … either suited Kat!

When they approached, Kat did a small curtsy. “Good evening, m’lady.” She said, making sure to talk like a servant and not give away her middle-class routes. She cocked her head. “You seem to have something …” She stepped forward. “Your hair … may I?”

Lady Dirge looked puzzled, but tired and she shrugged, not taking her arm from Artemis.

‘Good man’ Kat thought. She gently turned the lady around, reached into her pocket and pulled the small blade free. Then, pretending to straighten the woman’s locks, made a space in her hair, and pressed the dagger’s edge to the woman’s skin, a tiny drop of blood leaving it, and then it soaked into the dagger.

“Oh!” The lady said. “Something … I feel …” She blinked, though her eyes were somewhat vacant.

Kat nodded to Artemis. “Now!”

[Artemis Black]

Artemis had set his tray against the wall when Katarya stopped them. When he got the signal from the Witch he quickly moved his fingers to work at the arm guard. It had several delicate latches and a chain linking to the locking mechanism.

“Cecilia’s Tits, what even is this thing,” he hissed as he loosened the chain and released the final latch. With a swift but careful tug he freed the piece from the Lady’s wrist. “Kat, go hit the disorient in the kitchen and kick off a fire. I’ll hustle the Lady back to the hall with panic,” he said, getting back beside the lady and slipping the target into the blank bag nestled across his stomach.

As soon as Kat was out of sight Artemis started to speak in a worried tone. "So much noise from the kitchen. What could be going on?" he asked the dazed Lady, planting the worry into her head. He desperately hoped Kat was quick with the fire or this would get very dangerous very fast.

[Katarya Frost]

Kat moved off as quick as she could without breaking into a run. She pushed through the kitchen door, and was immediately confronted by the imperious chief of this lot. “Where have you been? There are three trays waiting, girl!”

Kat rolled her eyes at him, and then moved behind the counter to one of the fireplaces, ignoring the protests of the man, and the strange looks she was getting from the other staff. She held her hand out, palm facing the fire while her other hand went into her cleavage for the string. “Nárë,” she spoke, and the fire suddenly belched forth a mass of black smoke.

The Witch had not been prepared for that reaction, and coughed along with the rest. She fumbled with the string, untying the first knot and letting loose the confusion spell. That should make sure that she would not be remembered to have done what she had done.

She dipped her head and made her way away from the smoke, and the rising flame. “Fire!, Fire!” She shouted, as the befuddled staff coughed and asked what was happening. “Fire you idiots!” She said again.

In the mainroom, the smell of smoke gradually became quite distinct.

[Artemis Black]

Artemis grinned as dark black smoke poured into the hall ahead of them. Then he changed his features to a mask of terror, “My Lady! Please return to your Lord. I will help with this,” Artemis said, practically pushing the noblewoman towards the open hall and out of sight of the kitchen exit. The woman was still disoriented, Katarya’s confusion spell and the dagger enchantment likely working together. At his urging and physical encouragement did get her moving though.

Artemis made his way to the kitchen door, catching Katarya as she came out of the roiling black smoke. “Fire! Fire!” he shouted as he grabbed her arm and hustled her away from the choking cloud. They managed to make it to the recessed hidden doorway and he searched around the frame to find the release. “Fucking nobles,” he said before a soft click let him force the door open. He moved Kat through the portal before him. “If you see someone, drop or hit the wall, we’re in no-prisoners phase now. Three more turns until we hit the exit to the greenhouse. Quick but careful now,” he said as he followed her through the doorway and slammed it closed.

[Dáire]

Dáire’s head snapped up, peering back in the direction he had just come through narrowed eyes. Voices, loud, shrill and indiscernible echoed through the dark corridor. Was this Artemis’ distraction or had things gone terribly wrong? He was somewhat torn between going to ensure his partners were ok , and sticking to the plan. Ultimately, force of habit had him sticking to the pre agreed plan and scuttling down the remainder of the hall, as fast and silently as he was able. Clatters and deep sounding bangs vibrated through the floor as he moved, What had they done? Released wild animals amongst the herds of nobles? Or maybe a noble had fallen over. His lips twitched into a smirk at the thought.

Arriving at a large heavy door, he paused, doing his best to listen for any sounds on the far side, but struggling over the cacophony that was originating in the other direction. Unable to be certain, he pulled a dagger free from his gauntlet and eased the door open.

The scents of exotic plants and flower hit him up the face like he’d stepped into the jungles of Ajteire. He stopped, listening intently but heard nothing but the shouts from behind and now from the east of the green house. having only taken half a step through the door, he found a knife lying right across his throat. Muddy brown eyes met cold grey ones and locked. The much small mans mouth curled into a smug smile as he took in Dáire.
“Wen they said thiefs may be comin’, I dinny expec’ overgrown fae bastards to be trin’ their luck.” The owner of the younger voice from outside, stood before him all clad in the Dirges guard uniform.
Dáire glared menacingly at the stupid human before him, this was the sort of human he had grown accustomed to associating with their species. Faster than the cocky man could follow, he knocked the mans wrist away and delivered a kick to his chest. The man grunted loudly and clattered to the floor in a head, the metal of his dagger ringing out in the structure like a bell.

“Caspia-“ The raspy man’s words were cut short before he even fully got around the corner. A dagger protruded from the mans neck. Faint gurgling and he sank to the floor in a heap. The man below him groaned, paling when he noticed the form of his magic hating companion. "Shame you didn't have any magic wielding friends, they're the only ones who may have been able to save you from me." Dáire slit the mans throat in a single graceful slash. Blood erupting and splattering his leg. He groaned, just as the smell of smoke hit his nose, glancing out the walls of the greenhouse. A roiling ebony plume rose above an eastern wing of the property, blotting out the light of the moon before melding with the night. Had Kat set the whole wing on fire?! The panicked screams were becoming louder by the second. He pulled the two bodies into a shadowed corner, retrieving his blades just as he heard heavy footsteps outside. Men hollered commands at each other and the heavy footfalls continued. He prayed that none thought to come through the greenhouse.

[Artemis Black]

The smoke was already reaching the edge of the hallway they ran down as they turned the final corner. ‘Kaxitaki has not chosen us on that wager,’ he thought sharply as he discarded the plan to return to the party and profess their innocence. ‘Really hope that idiot who recognized her suffocates,’ he added mentally as he kicked open the door to the greenhouse.

He scanned the room briefly before moving into it with Kat. {Friend. Help. Run.} he whistled his birdsong rapidly, knowing the sudden burst would be unmistakable even if Dáire didn’t know the actual words. “I doubt he would, but I’m going to punch his stitches if he’s left us to the wind,” Artemis hissed before coughing as some of the smoke tickled his throat.

[Katarya Frost]

Kat followed Artemis, cursing her clothes with passion.

When they finally stepped, Kat coughed a few times, and rubbed some of the soot from her face, grimacing at her hand. "That went better than expected ... a it too much better, for my liking."

She hugged herself, and nodded to him. "Dáire would never leave us in a pickle." She said, but hoped whatever he was doing, he would do it quick. She wanted to get out of these clothes and into a nice hot bath ... with wine; lots of wine.

I suppose, if they made it, they deserved to celebrate.

[Dáire]

Dáire hid within the deep shadows cast beneath some sort of plant, he didn’t know what it was exactly but dense foliage compiled from the large leaves came in very useful this night. The sound of footsteps outside came and went in irregular bursts, as groups scuttled around like ants, that had had their nest disturbed. It set his already frayed nerves on the edge. A door banged open to his left, two figures cast in shadow burst into the room, all a flurry. Two daggers were palmed before he even drew his next breath. His heart hammered and muscles tensed, ready to fling them at the slightest indication they may pose a threat, but the shrill whistle of birdsong made him instantly relax some. Hopping out from his concealment, the two figures before him hunched over, their breathing heavy, he caught the tail end of Artemis’ hissed remark as he strolled up beside them and smiled innocently.

“No, not this time Mr Black,” His face sobered again, “but we need to become it, if we are to escape this charming place.” He inhaled, wrinkling his nose and moving a way a bit “You two stink of that smoke.” Rummaging around in his bag, he produced two thin cloaks of the same material as his. Shoving them into the hands of the two humans, he looked around anxiously.

The thumping of feet coming up the corridor behind them heralded their need for a swift departure. He shot Artemis a confused look, had the plan not been to slip away unnoticed? Grabbing Kats' hand and tugging her after him, he lunged for the narrower paths; these would lead them through the green house, and to a door situated on the north west of the sprawling complex.

Kat was already out of breath when they had arrived, he could feel her growing more lethargic with every hurried step they took. That was in addition to both of the humans periodically coughing the acrid smoke back out of their lungs, letting all that pursued them, know exactly where they were. Not that they could help it.

The number of feet that he could hear on their trail only seemed to multiply each time he allowed his attention to wander there, their muffled commands almost close enough to discern words. Cursing under his breath, he turned one last bend around a garish looking plant, the yellow blossoms emitting a sickly-sweet scent, and they finally reached the side door of the greenhouse that let out to the dense woods beyond. Stopping abruptly, he strained to briefly listen to the melee that was raging outside the building outside. Men yelled, women shrieked and keened high-pitched wails to one another, but none of it seemed immediate to them.

Hunkering down he looked over his shoulder at Kat, “Get on, you’re too slow compared to Artemis and I - and speed is the only thing that going to save us here.” She gave him a fierce glare, that at another time may have made him fear the response but she reluctantly nodded her agreement, scrambling onto his back as requested. Dáire looked to Artemis, making sure the human was still with him. “Ready?” he said between breaths.

The sound of ever approaching feet, that he could now feel vibrating thought the ground below him, sent adrenaline pumping through his veins and his body seemed to hum with the pent-up energy. Turning back to the door he yanked it open, launching himself through the gap and into the night. His long strides ate up the ground as they hurtled towards the tree line and the boundary wall beyond. The young man kept pace surprisingly well, they dodged and darted between the trees, breaths coming fast and hearts beating hard, the footsteps behind them fading a little more with each stride they took. Without preamble he hunkered down when they hit the 8ft surrounding wall, Kat sliding off and he grabbed her waist, hoisting her up, not waiting to watch her haul herself over. He assumed the thief wouldn’t appreciate his help, well no he expected he may get a knife thrown at him at a later date but at this point, he didn’t care and he wasn't taking any chances. Grabbing the man in a similar manner, he thrust him towards the lip of the wall, ensure the man had a hold and then leaping himself, feeling a damn stitch give as he did so. Grunting he landed on the other side with a mild thump.

breathing heavily, he re-situated Kat and they headed off at another run. Luckily at this time of night, the streets of Fellsgard were all but barren. The odd drunkard stopped in a dazed stupor to watch them as the hurtled down the alleys and side streets. Making a bee line for the western district and the warehouse that promised refuge.

[Artemis Black]

Artemis would have breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted Dáire. Instead he just grunted, trying to not let thing lingering smoke do any more damage. “Something made a lot more than I think we could have planned for,” he responded as he wiggled into the provided cloak.

He followed the ranger thankful one of them had managed to stay outside. He couldn’t imagine running this route with just the two of them. As they moved he held a dagger in his hand, a white knuckle grip ready to bury the blade into any guard that blocked their path. There was a lot of screaming and it sounded like fighting they were skirting around.

He had to turn back slightly as Dáire stopped to put Katarya on his back. He smirked at the Witch’s disapproving glare, but was happy she still complied. Artemis took a brief moment to get his lungs steadied while she was settled into place. By the time they’d made it to the wall Artemis felt the usual burn in his limbs and weightlessness of his feet. He bounced on his heels while the big elf got Kat up the wall.

He tensed in alarm when the ranger grabbed him by the waist and hoisted him upward shortly after. He got over the hesitation quickly and hopped down to catch Katarya as she did the same on the far side. Then he moved them out of the way so Dáire didn’t flatten the pair. He helped her back onto the big elf’s back and they were off heading towards the safehouse.

As soon as he could Artemis got up onto the rooftops, keeping an eye on the pair moving along the street. He could see around the bends in the road and alert them before anything particularly nasty caught up.

“Beaky, go find Ksenia and let her know we’re safe. Bring her to the warehouse if there's no one prowling,” he said to the bird as it sailed down near him. Then he moved slightly ahead of his companions. His lungs were clear now, and he needed to burn some of the anxiety that had been roiling in his chest.