Artemis Fowl and the Hunger Games

Artemis Fowl and the Hunger Games: Chapter 5

Artemis washed his hands of the blood and headed out to the balcony once more, just taking a peek around to see if anyone was there.

"What are you doing up here?" Minerva's voice startled him. She was behind him, giving him a suspicious glare. Artemis whirled around at the sound of her voice.

"I... I thought... Nothing. Why?"

"I thought I heard you talking to someone. Come on. Our mentor would like to have a word with you."

Frankly, their mentor scared Artemis. Although, almost everyone who had seen their mentor looked a bit intimidated themselves.

Artemis stepped into the dining area and held his breath. There stood the Eurasian man, all seven feet of him, hulking in the tiny chair pulled up by the dining table. Next to him was a shorter creature with a tomato red pallour, pointed ears, and whom was smoking a repugnant-smelling cigar. Artemis immediately recognised him as an elf, like the girl he had seen just a few minutes ago. He kept his mouth shut and waited for his mentor to speak.

"You're weak, you're tiny, and you can't run," The fellow began, getting up from the tiny chair. "Your arms are small and you're shaped like a twig. I bet you'd break like one too. You're intelligent, sure, but intelligence isn't going to get you anywhere unless you know how to use it in the arena. Your dad was a big shot, but don't think for a second that I think you are too. You haven't won just yet. You don't look like you could even take on an elf, much less a hardened tribute. Got that?"

Artemis nodded silently.

"Good. Now," His mentor drew himself to his full height, which was a solid two and a half feet over Artemis. "My name is Butler. You will never know my first name, it will remain a secret unless you gain my trust wholeheartedly. Which will never happen. And this," Here he gestured to the elf next to him, "Is my assistant, Root. Treat him like you would me, which I would assume would be with the utmost respect. Is that clear, pipsqueak?"

Artemis nodded again. Butler's request was really unusual. Treat Root with respect? Everyone he knew treated faries like garbage. He had had no qualms with it, but Butler seemed to have some sort of problem. Nevertheless, he would obey Butler's wishes. Why not? It wasn't like it was a big deal.

"So now the real question is, would you rather be trained by me, or in the tribute room with the rest of the tributes?"

"I'd rather be trained by you."

Butler gave a nod and motioned to two pixies by the door. They came over to Artemis and stood by him, waiting for Butler's order.

"Show him to his designer. Oh, and Artemis, be prepared. You're about to go out in front of millions in the Capital later tonight, so try to at least look charming. Sponsors don't line up for nothing, you know."

"Then what should I do? How do I prepare?"

"You should shut up, stand next to Minerva, and pretend like you're not going to kill her. Your designer will do the rest. Her name is Caballine. Oh, and don't freak out when you see her."

Artemis wondered why Butler had added that last part, and followed the pixies down to the elevator.