Welcome to my new reviewers!!
Chapter 22--Free At Last
When they returned from the astral plane they were in an area unfamiliar to Drizzt. They stood on a beach and it was night. The Drow glanced at the panther that looked apologetic. "It's all right that you couldn't get me home, my friend. At least I am out of her hands," he said. He rubbed her ears, smiling when she leaned into his touch. "First we must find a town so we know where we are," Drizzt said. He dug around in his pack until he found his spare cloak and put it on. Not a coin to my name and lost too, ah, well, I've been in worse situations, he thought. He put on his gear then glanced at Guenhwyvar. "Let's go, my friend, we'll follow the coast, sooner or later we are sure to find a town." They headed off together. Drizzt figured he'd been gone about two weeks. The baby wouldn't be born for another four and a half months. He was determined to make it back before then.
They walked through the night and until noon the next day without spotting a town. Drizzt set up a small camp in a small grove to get some sleep. Guenhwyvar lie down next to him to watch. Drizzt was asleep in minutes.
When he woke he gathered up his gear and they kept walking. It wasn't until late afternoon the next day when Drizzt spotted a city in the distance. "Finally, we'll be able to get some directions or perhaps I can work for passage on a ship," he told Guenhwyvar who just yawned. Drizzt laughed. "We'll head for the city in the morning," he decided. Early the next morning Drizzt sent Guenhwyvar home and pulled up the cowl of his cloak then went to the city gates.
The two guards eyed him insolently as he approached. "What is your business in Port Haven?" one asked.
"Looking for food and shelter," Drizzt said quietly.
"Haven is peaceful and we aim to keep it that way," the second guard said, eying Drizzt's weapons.
"I assure you I have no intention of causing trouble," Drizzt said.
"See that you don't or it'll mean a stay in the city dungeon," the first said. The gates swung slowly open. "You can enter."
"Thank you," Drizzt said and entered the city. He didn't recognize the name of this place. He wondered where he was. He had to find out.
The city was rowdy, like most port towns Drizzt had been to. He could feel eyes on him as he walked down the narrow street and it made him nervous.
A scantily clad woman walked up to him and draped her arms around his neck then pressed her body to his. "Care for a tumble, sir?" she purred.
Drizzt wrinkled his nose as the stench of her cheap perfume filled the air. He gently pulled her arms away and stepped back. "No, thank you, lady," he said kindly.
"I can show you a really good time, love," she said.
"I'm sorry, but no," Drizzt said. He stepped around her and kept going.
A man walked up to the girl, scowling. "You let him get away," he growled.
"It wouldn't do any good to rob him. He doesn't have any money," she said.
"His weapons would have brought a good price," the man snapped. "Come on, we have work to do." They walked off together.
Drizzt aimed for the dock. He would see if any of the ships were headed somewhere he was familiar with. He walked slowly along the dock examining each ship before choosing one that looked well tended. It was called The Sea Nymph.
A burly Human with a wild red beard and hair with an earring met him at the top of the gangplank. "I be Lars, the captain of this vessel, what do ye want boy?" he asked.
Drizzt ignored the boy comment; he knew that he did look like a boy if the person didn't know he was an Elf. "I need passage to the north,"" he said.
Lars shrugged. "Don't go north, just around to the southern areas, Calimport and such," he said. "Can't help ye there."
"Thanks anyway," Drizzt said, turning to leave.
"Ye might try the Sea Singer , she's four ships down, her captain goes to the north," Lars said.
"I'll do that, thanks again," Drizzt said and left the ship. He walked down and stopped in front of the ship. It was one of the ones he had passed up because he didn't like how it looked. He decided to try some others first. He had no luck though and finally returned to it. I guess its this one or none, he thought and boarded cautiously…..
Hope I didn't make you wait to long…R/R please.