I would tell you my first name, thought Butler. Something only two other people in the world know. Something completely forbidden by bodyguard etiquette, unless it is too late to matter.
Artemis leaned in to the camera. Your name, my old friend, is Domovoi.
Butler was reeling mentally. Oh my God, he thought. Its true, its all true.
Something began to happen in his brain then. Disjointed images flashed through his subconscious, releasing repressed memories. The false past was swept away by blinding truth. An electric join-the-dots jolted through his cranium, making everything clear. It all made sense now. He felt old, because the healing had aged him. Sometimes he found it difficult to breathe, because Kevlar strands had been woven into the skin over his chest wound. He remembered Hollys kidnapping, and the Bwa Kell goblin revolution. He remembered Holly and Julius, the centaur Foaly and, of course, Mulch Diggums. There was no need to read the other files; one word had been enough. He remembered everything.
Butler studied the dwarf with fresh eyes. Everything was so familiar now: the vibrating frizz of hair, the bow-legged stance, the smell. He sprang from his chair, striding across to Mulch, who was busy raiding the studys mini-fridge.
Mulch, you old reprobate. Good to see you.
Now he remembers, said the dwarf without turning round. Do you have anything to say?
Butler glanced at the open bum-flap. Yes. Dont point that thing at me. Ive seen the damage it can do.
The bodyguards smile froze on his face as he remembered one detail of Artemiss phone message.
Julius? I heard something about a bomb.
Mulch turned from the fridge, his beard laced with a cocktail of dairy products.
Yes. Julius is gone. I cant believe it. Hes been chasing me for so many years.
Butler felt a terrific weariness weighing on his shoulders. He had lost too many comrades over the years.
And whats more, continued Mulch, Holly is accused of murdering him.
Thats just not possible. We have to find them.
Now youre talking, said the dwarf, slamming the fridge door. Do you have a plan?
Yes. Find Holly and Artemis.
Mulch rolled his eyes. Pure genius. Its a wonder you need Artemis at all.
Now that the dwarf had eaten his fill, the two reacquainted friends sat round the conference table and brought each other up to speed.
Butler cleaned his gun as he spoke. He often did this in times of stress. It was a comfort thing.
So, Opal Koboi somehow gets out of prison and hatches this complicated plot to avenge herself on everyone who put her in there. Not only that, but she sets Holly up to take the blame.
Remind you of anyone? asked the dwarf.
Butler polished the Sig Sauers slide. Artemis may be a criminal, but he is not evil.
Who said anything about Artemis?
Well, what about you, Mulch? Why didnt Opal try to kill you?
Ah well, sighed the dwarf, ever the martyr. The LEP didnt advertise my involvement. It wouldnt do to have the proud officers of our police force tarnished by association with a known criminal.
Butler nodded. It makes sense. So, youre safe for now, and Artemis and Holly are alive. But Opal has something planned for them. Something to do with trolls and the Eleven Wonders. Any ideas?
We both know about trolls, right?
Butler nodded again. He had fought a troll not so long ago without a doubt the toughest battle he had ever been involved in. He couldnt believe the LEP had managed to wipe it from his mind.
But what about the Eleven Wonders?
The Eleven Wonders is a theme park in Havens Old Town district. Fairies are obsessed with Mud Men, so one bright-spark billionaire thought it would be a great idea to build smaller models of the human wonders of the world and put them all in one place. It did OK for a few years, but I think looking at these buildings made the People remember just how much they missed the surface.
Butler ran through a list in his head. But there are only seven wonders in the world.
There used to be eleven, said Mulch. Trust me, I have photographs. Anyway, the park is closed down now. That whole area of the city has been abandoned for years the tunnels are not safe. And the whole place is overrun by trolls. He stopped suddenly, the horror of what he had just said hitting home. Oh gods. Trolls.
Butler began to quickly reassemble his weapon. We need to get down there right now.
Impossible, said Mulch. I cant even begin to think how.
Butler dragged the dwarf to his feet, propelling him towards the door.
Maybe not. But you know someone. People in your business always know someone.
Mulch ground his teeth, thinking about it. You know, there is someone. A sprite who owes Holly his life. But whatever I persuade him to do for us wont be legal.
Butler grabbed a bag of weaponry from a cabinet.
Good, he said. Illegal is always faster.
* * *
Chapter 7: The Temple Of Artemis