Chapter 4 Chapter Two Thousands of Small Candles

The killer watched with fascination as the ruby ​​slowly turned in the candlelight, reflecting the dancing of thousands of small flames. There were too many images; no gem had so many small, flawless facets. While there were so many fires just there for him to see, yet a swirl of small candles drew him into the deeper redness of the gem.No jeweler had ever cut it; it was finer than any finished cut.It was a finished product of magic, carefully designed, he reminded himself to be careful, it would suck the beholder into the vortex, into the tranquility of the ruby ​​red depths. Thousands of little candles.

No doubt he had easily tricked the captain into sending them to Calimport.The myth emanating from this mystical gem is not so easy to dispel; how peaceful and peaceful, like something only a friend would say to you... A smile appeared on his normally grim face.He can swim deeply in peace. Entreri broke away from the gem's pull and rubbed his eyes, marveling that someone as self-controlled as himself could not extricate himself from the gem's powerful allure.He looked at the corner of the small cabin, where Regis sat huddled, looking completely miserable. "I can now understand why you tried so hard to steal this gem," he said to the halfling.

Regis came out of his trance, surprised that Entreri had spoken to him for the first time since they had boarded the ship in Waterdeep. "I also now know why Bashar Pook tried so hard to get the gem back," Entreri went on, addressing Regis as well as himself. Regis looked up at the killer.Did the Ruby Pendant even control Artemis Entreri? "It's a beautiful gem indeed," he said hopefully, not knowing how to deal with the cold-blooded killer's unusual outpouring of affection. "It's not just a gem," Entreri said absently, his eyes falling irresistibly on the mysterious swirls of the gem's facets that have deceived countless people.

Regis recognized the calm expression on the killer's face, because he had seen it himself when he first saw the magical pendant.He was a very successful thief then, living a prosperous life in Calimport.But the benefits of this magical gem go beyond the good life that the thieves' guild can offer. "Maybe this magic pendant stole me!" He suddenly said impulsively. But he had underestimated Entreri's willpower.The killer looked at him coldly for a moment, and a smug smile appeared on his face, showing that he knew where Regis was going to lead the conversation. But the halfling clung to whatever hope he could get his hands on, and went on regardless. "I think the power of the pendant overwhelmed me. That shouldn't be a crime; I had no other choice—" Entreri cut him off with sharp laughter. "You're a thief, or you're a weak-willed man," he said aloud. "Either way, it is not in my heart to be forgiven. Either way, you deserve to be punished by Puke's wrath!" He tore the pendant from the gold chain, and put it on his own. in the pouch.

Then he produced another object, an onyx figurine carved in the shape of a leopard. "Tell me about this thing," he ordered Regis. Regis had been wondering when Entreri would show his curiosity about the statuette.He had seen the Killer use this thing to taunt Drizzt on the opposite side in Glen Canyon in the Hall of Mithril.But before this moment, that was the last time Regis had seen Guenhwhivar, the magic leopard. Regis shrugged helplessly. "I won't ask a second time," Entreri threatened, and the coldness of doom, the horror that all Artemis Entreri's victims had felt once again hung over Regis. up.

"That's a drow thing," Regis stammered. "Its name is Kwan—" Regis stopped suddenly, as Entrerikon's hand suddenly drew the jeweled dagger, ready to shoot. "Do you want to summon allies?" Entreri asked viciously.He put the statue back in his pocket. "I know the name of this beast, halfling. I assure you, if this leopard appears, you will be dead." "Are you afraid of the leopard?" Regis asked boldly. "I don't take risks in my life," Entreri replied. "But will you call the leopard yourself?" Regis pressed, looking for some way to break the current balance of power. "Looking for a partner to accompany you on this long journey?"

Entreri's laugh was sarcasm at the thought. "Partner? Why would I need a mate, little fool? What good would that do me?" "Numbers are strength," Regis retorted. "Fool," Entreri said again. "That's where you get it wrong. In the streets, companions bring dependence and doom. Look at yourself, friend of the dark elves. How can you help Drizzt Do'Urden now? He Or rush over blindly to help you, to fulfill the responsibility as your partner." He said this with obvious hatred. "Run to his final death!" Regis hung his head and said nothing.Entreri was right.His friends were running into danger he could never imagine, all because of him, and because of the mistakes he made before he knew them.

Entreri put the dagger back into its sheath, and jumped to his feet. "Enjoy the night, little thief. Blow the cold sea breeze; now that you face death, cherish every feeling of this journey; for reaching Calimport means your doom to your friends Same!" He hurried out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Regis noticed he wasn't locked.He never locks it!But Regis admitted in anger that he didn't have to.Fear is the killer's chains, as strong as iron manacles.He had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Regis buried his head in his hands.He began to notice the rocking of the ship, the same rhythmical rattle of the old deck, his body beating irresistibly to the beat.

He felt the vortex within himself. Halflings generally dislike the sea, and Regis is timid even by the standards of their race.Entreri couldn't have thought of anything more tormenting Regis than sailing south in a ship on the Sea of ​​Swords. "There won't be a second time," Regis groaned, forcing himself through the little cabin door.He opened the window and let his head out into the refreshingly cold night air.    Entreri walked across the empty deck, his cloak tight around his body.Above him, the sails were blown to full; the strong winds of early winter pushed the ship southward.Hundreds of millions of stars are scattered throughout the sky, all the way to the sea that stretches to the horizon.

"Including me?" Entreri mused, fascinated by the starlight in the ruby ​​red of the gem. "Am I a victim too? Or am I going to be a victim?" He didn't believe that Artemis Entreri had ever been charmed by magic, but the strong attraction of the ruby ​​pendant was even more irresistible . Entreri laughed loudly.The only person on deck besides him, the helmsman, looked at him curiously, but didn't think much of it. "No," Entreri whispered to the gem. "You will not capture me again. I know your tricks, and I will figure it all out! I will walk into the path where your temptation came, and then find my own way out!" He smiled and pulled the magic pendant The gold chain was tied around his neck, and the gem was placed under his leather vest.

Then he touched his pocket, took out the leopard statue, and turned his eyes to the north. "Are you looking in this direction, Drizzt Do'Urden?" he asked toward the night sky. He knows the answer.Somewhere far away, in Waterdeep or Longsaddle or somewhere in between, the lavender eyes of the drow were turning southward. They were destined to meet again; they both knew it.They had fought once in Mithril Hall, but neither could claim victory. One must win. Entreri had never met anyone before who was as quick and sharp as himself, and the memory of Drizzt Do'Urden haunted all his thoughts.They are so alike, they move like they are doing the same dance.But the compassionate and caring dark elf possessed a humanity that Entreri had abandoned all those years ago.Those emotions, those weaknesses, had no place in the cold, empty heart of a pure warrior, Entreri believed. Entreri's hands twitched violently as Entreri thought of the dark elf, and his breath raged into the bitter air. "Come, Drizzt Do'Urden," he said through gritted teeth. "Let's see who is stronger!" His voice reflected the determination to fight to the death, but also with a slight anxiety that was almost imperceptible.It may be the greatest challenge of both of their lives, and a test of the beliefs that guide their every action.There was no such thing as a tie for Entreri.He had sold his soul to the art of battle, and if Drizzt Do'Urden beat him, or even just a draw, then the killer's existence was nothing more than a meaningless lie. But he didn't think he would lose. Entreri lived to win.    Regis was also looking at the night sky.The fresh air calmed his stomach, and the starlight sent his mind flying hundreds of miles to where his friends were.Often they sat side by side under the stars in Icewind Dale on such nights, sharing stories of adventure or just sitting quietly together.Icewind Dale is a barren place in the cold tundra, with harsh weather and harsh people, but the friends Regis made there—Bruenor, Catti-brie, Drizzt, and Wulfgar , warmed his heart on the coldest winter night, and took away the sting of the north wind. Icewind Dale was just one stop in Regis's long journey. He lived to be fifty, but spent less than ten years there.But now, heading south, where he has spent most of his life, he realizes that Icewind Dale is his true home.Those friends who he took for granted before were the only family he had. He shook his head, discarding the sadness in his heart, and forced himself to think about the road ahead.Drizzt would come to him; maybe Wulfgar and Catti-brie would too. But Bruno won't. The relief that Regis felt when Drizzt returned unscathed from the depths of Mithril Hall was lost in Glenglen with the brave dwarf.At that time, a dragon lured them into the trap, and another group of gray dwarves planned to surround them.But Bruno helped them open a way at the cost of his own life, jumped onto the dragon's back with a bottle of burning oil, and then fell down to the deep valley with the dragon. Regis couldn't bear to recall the horrific sight.Despite the rough treatment and taunts of the dwarves, Bruenor Warhammer remained his dearest friend. A shooting star streaked across the night sky.The ship was still rocking, and he could smell the strong salty smell of sea water, but at this door, under the clear night sky, Regis didn't feel uncomfortable, just remembered the madness spent with the wild dwarves time, feeling a little sad peace.Bruenor Warhammer's fire burned like a torch in the wind, and he leaped, danced, and fought to the last. Regis's other friends all escaped from that terrible place in the end.The halfling was sure of it, as sure as Entreri.They will come back for themselves.Drizzt would come to him and make it all right. Regis had to believe so. He knew his part well, and once in Calimport, Entreri would immediately find allies among Puck's men.At that time, the killer will be standing on his own land, knowing every dark corner of the street and having every advantage.Regis had to slow him down. He looked around the cramped cabin for something useful.Time and time again, he found his eyes drawn to the candle. "This fire," he said to himself, a smile spreading across his face.He went to the table and pulled the candle out of the candlestick.A small pool of melted wax glistened at the base of the wick, and a drip guaranteed to hurt.But Regis didn't hesitate. He rolled up his sleeves, dripped a row of wax onto his entire arm, and endured the scorching pain with a distorted expression. He had to slow Entreri down.    Regis was rarely seen on deck the next morning.It was already light, and the halfling was ready to get things done before the sun rose, creating an uncomfortable combination of scorching light and freezing spray.He stood by the rail, rehearsing his procedure in advance, and summoning the courage to resist Entreri's unspoken threats. And then Entreri walked up to him!Regis clung to the railing, afraid that the killer would have guessed his plan. "Shoreline," the killer said to him. Regis followed Entreri's line of sight to the horizon, and the land beyond. "In view," Entreri continued, "and not too far away." He glared at Regis, then grinned evilly again to frighten his captive. Regis shrugged: "It's too far away." "Perhaps," replied the killer. "But you'll get there, although it's said that your half-human race can't swim well. Have you calculated how sure you are of doing so?" "I can't swim." Regis replied directly. "Poor thing," Entreri said, laughing. "But if you decide to do it, please let me know first." Regis took a step back, confused. "I'll let you try," Entreri assured him. "I would love to see this show!" The halfling's expression turned to anger.He knew he was being laughed at, but he still couldn't figure out the killer's purpose. "There's a strange fish in this part of the sea," Entreri said, looking back at the water. "Very clever fish. It will follow the boat, waiting for someone to be thrown overboard." He looked back at Regis to measure the effect of what he had said on him. "It has pointed fins on it," he continued, seeing that he had the halfling's full attention. "Across the water, it's like the prow of a boat. If you stay by the rail long enough, you're bound to see one." "Why should I watch?" "Those fish are called sharks," Entreri continued, ignoring the other's question.He pulled out the dagger and squeezed a drop of blood from his fingertip with the tip of the knife. "Fantastic fish. Has a row of dagger-like teeth, sharp and sharp, with a mouth that can bite a man in half." He looked Regis directly in the eye. "Or just swallow a halfling." "I can't swim!" cried Regis, who disliked the idea that Entreri had created an atmosphere of death that was undeniably effective in scaring. "Poor thing," the killer laughed. "But if you change your mind, you must tell me." He walked away quickly, the cloak raised behind him. "Bitch," Regis whispered.He leaned back against the rail, but changed his mind as soon as he saw the deep sea closing in on him from the rocking of the ship; he turned hastily and looked towards the safety of the middle deck. His face paled again when the vast ocean seemed close to drowning him, and the endless rocking of the ship was sickening... "You seem to be quite experienced with leaning against the railing, little one?" came a cheery voice.Regis turned to see a short, slender-legged sailor with few teeth and perpetually slanted eyes. "Haven't you learned to walk steadily in a boat?" Regis was shaking with dizziness, remembering what he had to do. "Not for that," he replied. The sailor missed the subtleties of his statement.His dirty face with dark skin and even darker stubble smiled, and he turned to leave. "But thank you for your concern," Regis said emphatically, "and thank you for your courage in taking us to Calimport." The sailor stopped, he was confused. "We've brought people south many times," he said, not understanding why the other party mentioned "courage." "Yes, but consider the danger, though I'm sure it's not serious!" Regis added quickly, trying to give the impression that he was deliberately not emphasizing the unknown danger. "It doesn't matter. Calimport will heal us." Then he said in a whisper so the sailors could hear, "If we're alive when we get there." "What did you say?" demanded the sailor, walking back to Regis.The smile on his face was gone. Regis screamed suddenly, then grabbed his forearm as if in pain.He made a painful expression, pretending to be struggling in pain, and then picked off the dried wax drop and the underlying scar.A small drop of blood trickled from under his sleeve.The sailor grabbed him and pulled his sleeve up to his elbow.He looked at the wound curiously. "Are you burned?" "Don't touch it!" Regis yelled in a sharp whisper. "It might be contagious if you touch it, I think." The sailor let go of his hand in horror, noticing several other scars. "I didn't see a fire? How did you get burned?" Regis shrugged helplessly. "It's not a burn. These sores have grown on me for no reason. They grow out of my body." Now it was time for the sailor to turn pale. "But I shall arrive at Calimport," he said a little doubtfully. "This thing takes months to swallow. Most of my wounds are new." Regis looked down, then held out his scarred arm. "See it?" But when he looked back, the sailor was gone, and he rushed to the captain's station. "Take it, Artemis Entreri," Regis said in a very low voice.