Drizzt fought the bile rising in his throat as he emerged from the shadows to silently step in front of the slaver.

The man smiled toothily, his teeth gleaming in the moonlight. Silently, he held up a silver adamantine collar, his action plainly stating his intent. The dark elf felt himself flinch slightly at the sight. He could face an army of Orcs without batting an eye, but the sight of the collar, so symbolical of his fate, almost had him ready to kill himself from the shame.

So that eagle flew

Proud and fierce

Striking fear into enemies

The collar gleamed as it was carefully placed around a slender ebony neck. Rough hands brushed away snow pale strands of hair away as the collar magically sealed itself with a faintly audible click.

He seemed to have

No weakness

Seemingly undefeatable

He sagged, violet eyes expressing his shock at how quickly his life had turned, and a slight look of betrayal crossed his face. Betrayal by the world, his friends, his father, his goddess, and even his morals. Baseless for such emotions, and he quickly rid himself of the thought, horrified that he would even dare to think about it.

But that eagle did have a weakness

His Heart…

What he thought was his strength

Was a double edged blade

"Was it worth it?" The slaver said quietly, motioning for Drizzt to follow. His eyes caught the glint of a silver bracelet, similar to his collar on the man's wrist as he turned. "Your friends would have suffered, but you would have been free."

Keen on both sides

Quick and sharp to draw blood

Regardless

Of the pain caused

"It was worth it." Drizzt said so softly that the man had to strain to hear. "It will always be worth it." They were now on the road to the dock, the water glinting silver as it reflected the moon, a silent witness to Drizzt's pain.

Pain in sacrifice

Pain to protect

Pain of the burden

Of friendship and trust

"I've never had friends." The slaver mused, not turning to look at Drizzt as they reached the dock, a cold biting sea breeze piercing the skin like a thousand tiny needles. "I've had partners who I had to trust. But not a friend. Never a friend who would care for me enough to sell himself into slavery so that I would live."