The Bloodkeeper

Chapter 5

Artemis searched through the desk until he finally found what he was looking for; a brown leather journal with the emblem of Ilysus on the front, wrapped in a leather thong to keep it closed. He sighed in relief to have found it.

On the wagon ride back to Okville, Artemis opened the journal, and saw his father's recordings inside. Writings about sales he'd made, journeys he'd taken, and a lot of writing about how worried he was about Artemis at that time, how he hoped that Artemis wouldn't finally start going on adventures, and would stay in Ilysus where it was safe. And then, he got to the last few entries.

I spoke to Bassil and she told me three places to find the sword, but said there was a slim chance I could find it. She also told me someone was after me. I have to watch my back, Leviathan knows what I'm doing. But if I could just get this sword, and sacrifice Leviathan to the true King, Arkesh, Artemis would be safe. No more fauna hunting, no more fear, no more worry. Leviathan is planning something devious, I must stop it. For Artemis' sake.

Artemis furrowed his brows. Then he turned the page, and saw a diagram of a sword. The blade was a long triangle rather than the traditional shape of a sword blade, with a half-moon crossguard, the fuller was colored red, and above the diagram were the words, "THE BLOODKEEPER."

Artemis felt intimidated by the sword. His father wanted to wield such a menacing looking weapon with an intensive name? And what was this about 'sacrificing the King?' You can't sacrifice a God, even with such a terrifying weapon.

Artemis closed the book, and his mind shot straight to the letters he'd read. Asher, his best friend. Asher, the one who had stayed at his house when his parents were too overbearing. Asher, the one who had accepted his father's hospitality and love. Asher, whom his father loved like his own son. Asher had killed Artemis' father. No wonder he'd gotten so angry when Artemis announced he was going to find the journal—he knew what Artemis would find.

Once again, rage like hot lava bubbled up inside him, but this time, he didn't react. He simply watched the forest grow smaller as they travelled away from it. He was calm. Angry, but calm, because he knew what he was going to do, and he would have his revenge in due time. His father had died to protect the Bloodkeeper, ordered by Asher, so Artemis would find the sword, take it to Asher, and kill him with it. For an hour, he fantasized about Asher's surprise at Artemis' appearance with the Bloodkeeper, and realized that Artemis was there to kill him. Artemis fantasized about driving the sword deep into Asher's stomach. A morbid thought that oddly gave him comfort. That was his goal.

Artemis turned towards Iris, who was sitting in the driver's seat of the wagon, and said, "How are you?"

Iris considered his words for a moment, then said, "I'm alright, but why do you ask?"

"Just being friendly," Artemis said. "So...you're a hunter?"

"Not a Fauna Hunter, just an assassin." Iris said quietly. "I work with whoever pays me. I don't hate fauna, never saw the point in it. You're just trying to live, just like humans. Nothing wrong with that."

Artemis was somewhat shocked at this. "So...you don't hate us?"

"That's what I said," Iris giggled. "Word for word."

"I'm sorry, I've just heard my whole life that humans hated fauna."

"Ah, well, that's not true. Only some hate fauna. Those people are rare...your dad was just unlucky."

Artemis nodded. He climbed over the wagon's fence into the driver's seat and sat down next to Iris.

Artemis looked at her, at her beautiful face, and his heart fluttered. Artemis looked away and realized his emotions were as unstable as a chair with three legs, and realized that he intensely wanted a drink.