Thanks to my reviewers, I will continue--don't worry…. Sorry kitten--Colson is a girl. I checked to be sure--col means not-- translates into not son or daughter according to the book. It's on page 190 of Sea Of Swords…. here's more.
Chapter 3-- Bryn Shander
Kel, the stable master, looked up and smiled when Drizzt entered the stable. "Morning Drizzt, Rogue's fed and ready to go," he said.
"Thanks, Kel," Drizzt said. He let Rogue out of the stall. The bay stallion followed him from the stable though it wore no bridle or saddle. He mounted and urged the horse forward.
Drizzt had bought the horse from a cruel and abusive master. The graceful stallion had been half starved and brutally whipped. It had taken some time, but Drizzt had won his trust. The stallion refused to allow anyone on his back but him. Once they were out of town Drizzt urged Rogue to a gallop. They arrived in Bryn Shander an hour before midday. Drizzt left Rogue at the stable and headed for the Cassius' house to inform him that he had arrived and find out when the council would meet.
Many people still stared as Drizzt, but he shrugged them off with a smile. He never hid his heritage anymore. They would accept him or not. It didn't really matter. Most people in Ten-Towns accepted him now. A ball rolled to a stop at his feet. Drizzt picked it up and glanced around.
A small boy, the ball's owner, stopped and stared at him. Drizzt smiled and tossed the ball gently to him. The boy caught it, smiled then rushed off. Drizzt continued walking. He had to pass through the market to reach Cassius' home. It was very busy since it was the peak of the trade season. It took awhile to get through the crowds, Bryn Shander had grown even faster then Lonelywood.
Merchants that knew him called out greetings and Drizzt paused to speak with them briefly. Finally he reached his destination He knocked on the door.
A servant girl opened it. "Welcome Ranger Do'Urden, Elderman Cassius has been expecting you, please follow me," she said. She led him to the study. The door was open and she waved him in.
Cassius stood and stepped from behind his desk to shake hands. "Welcome, Ranger Do'Urden, you made it safely I see," he said.
"Yes, when will the council meet?" Drizzt asked.
Cassius laughed. "Always to the point, well, the meeting has been delayed until tomorrow afternoon. I am having a small gathering tonight, semi-formal and I would like you to attend," he said.
Drizzt bit back a sigh. He hated formal parties. "Of course, I will attend he said politely.
"Good, it will start at eight this evening, I will see you then," Cassius said. It was clearly a dismissal.
Drizzt left the house and headed up the street to The Red Dragon Inn where he stayed when he was here. He went inside and walked up to the bar.
There were only a handful of people in the common room this time of the day. They watched Drizzt as he came in and walked pass.
The inn's owner smiled broadly when he spotted him. "Welcome Drizzt, it's good to see you!" he said.
Drizzt sat down at the bar. "Hello Lars, how is your family?" he asked.
"Quite well and yours?" Lars asked.
"Catti-brie is fine," Drizzt said.
Lars set a goblet of wine in front of Drizzt. "Your things are in your room," he said. "Care for lunch? We have beef ribs."
"That sounds good," Drizzt said.
"It'll be up directly," Lars promised.
Drizzt sipped at the goblet of fine wine while he waited. He wondered whom the gathering was for. Cassius only had them when he was trying to impress someone. Probably some merchant who he wants to get into a trade agreement with Ten Towns, going to be a long, boring night, he thought.
**That Evening**
The room was gaudily decorated and overly crowded and it reeked of perfume worn by the women and even some of the men. It was noisy with everyone talking loudly and at once. It was also hot, thanks to the huge fire in the fireplace.
Drizzt looked around the crowded room and stifled a yawn. I was right-- the evening is boring and long, he thought. He had changed into better clothes for the meeting, which made it even worse. He hated fancy clothes.
A servant paused to offer him a drink from the tray she carried. Drizzt refused politely and she moved on. Loud laughter drew his attention to the left where a man in gaudy blue and yellow clothes was talking to a woman with her breasts all, but exposed in the low cut orange gown she wore. Drizzt shook his head. Hope that nothing falls out, how did she get into that? he wondered.
Just then Cassius walked up to him with a dark haired, dark eyed man. "There you are Drizzt, I have someone I'd like you to meet. This is Adain, a merchant from Luskan who is thinking about moving here to open his business, Adain, this is Drizzt Do"Urden, our town's ranger and border guardian," he said.
"Well met," Drizzt said politely, shaking the man's hand.
"I've heard many things about you, I'm sure that most were exaggerations," Adain said, shaking briefly. His eyes moved over Drizzt like he was a piece of livestock he was considering buying.
At that moment Drizzt didn't like or trust him though he wasn't sure why, but he trusted his instincts…
Thanks again to my reviewers, please R/R!!! This is my first Drizzt and Catti-brie fiction.