Chapter 5--The Council Meets
At midday Drizzt went to the council house for the meeting to find a very angry merchant waiting for him. "Good day, Adain," he said, bracing himself.
"You have no right to offer to take my son as an apprentice, I have forbidden him to do this and I demand you respect my wishes!" Adain shouted. He stepped in front of Drizzt.
Drizzt decided he was not going to let the merchant goal him into an argument, no matter what. He stepped around him. "Excuse me," he said and went into the council house.
Adain was left to fume in rage. You'll pay for this Drow, I promise you that, he thought then followed him inside. He sat down, giving Drizzt an icy look.
Drizzt felt the angry look, but he ignored it and continued his conversation with Martel, Termalaine's councilman.
One by one the other members drifted in and took their places. Cassius was the last to arrive and took his place at the head of the table. Cassius was no longer a council member; another had taken that post. Cassius ran the meeting and kept order during it. "I now call this meeting to order, welcome to our guests, Ranger Do'Urden and Master Alain," he said. "Spokesman Kemp, you may open the meeting with your proposal."
Kemp stood and began to talk "I feel that we need more space for travelers to stay and I believe the way to do so is to have inns in all the towns not just in Bryn Shander," he said. "This way all towns would receive extra income, not just Bryn Shander. It is only fair."
Lindon, Bryn Shander's councilman nodded thoughtfully. "That is a good idea, all the towns would benefit," he said.
The spokesman from Breman, Jerin joined the talk. "I also agree with Spokesman Kemp, this would indeed be good for all the towns," he said.
Cassius nodded. "We shall vote, all in favor say aye, all not in favor say nay," he said. The motion passed unanimously. "Very well, it will be done. Is there any other business?" he asked.
Martel stood. "I also have a proposition. I feel that with the increase of visitors and new population that more rangers are needed to patrol our borders. No insult intended to you, Ranger Do'Urden, you have done well, but I believe it would be easier on you. Perhaps you would also agree to train them. They may as well learn from the best," he said. He looked at Drizzt for an opinion.
"I have to agree with Spokesman Martel, I cannot be everywhere, extra rangers would make the dale more secure and I would train them," Drizzt said.
"We shall vote--Aye or nay?" Cassius asked.
Everyone said aye, except for Kemp so the motion passed.
"Anyone have any other requests?" Cassius asked. No one spoke. "Done then, Ranger Do'Urden, your report?"
"The roads are in fine shape, but the problem is yetis. They are more numerous and more vicious then usual. I would suggest that guards are assigned to escort caravans into and out of the dale for safety's sake," Drizzt said.
"Can you not handle them?" Kemp asked snidely. "You are supposedly a skilled warrior. That is after all what you are supposed to do."
"Not when I'm outnumbered ten to one and we certainly don't want any lives lost," Drizzt said, ignoring the sarcasm.
The council voted and the motion was passed. "Is there any other business?" Cassius asked. "Now Master Adain, do you wish to speak?"
"I do, I have decided to move my shops to Bryn Shander, I feel this town will grow and so will my business," Adain said.
"We are pleased to welcome you, if there is no more then this meeting is adjourned," Cassias said. No one disagreed so the meeting ended.
Drizzt left to find Arian waiting for him. "I'm ready to go, all I need to do is get my horse," he said.
Drizzt led Rogue out of the stable and mounted.
"Where's his tack?" Arian asked.
"A horse doesn't need tack, you'll learn why soon enough," Drizzt said.
Ten minutes later they were riding out of the city towards Lonelywood....
There--what do you all think? R/R!!!