Hi there, I know--made you wait again. Hope this chapter makes it worth it.
Chapter 23--Small Ruckus
A big human, wearing only breeches and missing an eye, walked over to Drizzt as he stepped off the gangplank. "What ye want, boy?" he demanded.
Drizzt bit back a nasty comment at the boy remark. "I would like to see the captain about passage to the north," he said.
"I'm the captain, can ye pay?" he demanded.
I was afraid of that, Drizzt mused. "I have no money, but I'm willing to work for passage and I can fight," he said.
"Skinny thing like ye? Ye ain't no warrior--let's see for sure," the captain said. He drew his cutlass and lunged at Drizzt.
Drizzt didn't draw a weapon, remembering what the guards had said. He sidestepped the captain's attack then stuck out his foot.
The captain tripped over it and stumbled. His momentum took him overboard. There was a loud splash then some cursing and yelling.
Drizzt decided this was not the ship he wanted to take and disembarked while some of the crew where fishing their angry captain out of the water. When Drizzt stepped back on the dock he felt that he was being watched. He looked around, but could see no one. I'll find a mapmaker, perhaps there's another town I can try, he thought and hurried off.
It took an hour of fighting his way through crowds and getting pass aggressive merchants, but Drizzt finally found the shop he was looking for. A silver bell rang when he went inside and closed the door.
"Just a moment! I'll be out directly!" an elderly man's voice called.
Drizzt paused to admire some of the beautifully drawn maps and manuscripts displayed on the wall. They were obviously done by a master.
An elderly man hobbled into the room, leaning on a cane. "Good day, what can I do for you, young sir?" he asked.
At least he didn't call me boy, Drizzt thought. "Good day, I would like to see a map of the area, city locations and such," he said aloud.
"Ah, of course, I take it you are a stranger here," the old man said. He went over to a rack of cubbies, each held a tightly rolled scroll in it. He looked them over before removing one and going over to a table.
"Indeed, " Drizzt said, joining him.
The elderly man unrolled the map. "We are here, the next town is only two weeks from this one. It was made for farming and fishing, but it grew into an independent town. It has almost as many ships come in as this one now," he said.
"Is there an overlord for this city or that one?" Drizzt asked.
The elder scowled slightly. "Yes, unfortunately there is one in this town. If I were you I'd be extremely careful not to get into trouble. He punishes misdeeds harshly, often to harshly," he said.
"My thanks for the advice, might I study this map for awhile?" Drizzt asked.
"Most certainly, I will be in the next room if you should need anything," the man said and left the room.
Drizzt turned his full attention to the map in front of him, trying to memorize it the best he could. The ringing of the bell got his attention and he looked up.
Four guards wearing chain mail and carrying swords at their side entered the shop. "You stranger, you're under arrest," one said.
"By whose order and for what reason?" Drizzt asked.
"By Lord Justin and for causing trouble at the docks, surrender your weapons and come peacefully. It will be easier on you," he said.
Drizzt tensed, he didn't want to surrender, but he didn't want to hurt any of the guards. That could mean being killed……
Mayhem time! Or maybe not!! You'll have to wait to find out----R/R please!!