Sorry all, I spent all day at my folks so I couldn't get this up earlier, once again welcome to my new readers!!
Chapter 25--Shadows And Secrets
Drizzt was awoken from a light doze by the key scraping in the lock and the heavy door creaked open. He tensed, waiting. The cowl of his cloak had fallen back when he had been shoved into the cell.
The guards entered the cell and seized his arms then dragged him to his feet. One noticed his tension and laughed. "We all ready knew what you were, elf. You are wanted elsewhere. You going to walk or do we have to drag you?" he asked.
Questions whirled through Drizzt's mind as he nodded. "I'll walk," he said.
"Wise choice," the guard sneered and pushed him forward. "No talking from now on, one peep and you'll be gagged--move."
Drizzt obeyed and much to his surprise he was taken back out onto the streets to a large building. One of the guards knocked on the door in a specific pattern and it opened. "We brought him," he said.
The man that answered the door looked Drizzt over then nodded. "So you did," he said. He handed each guard a clinking pouch and accepted a key from one of them. "Leave before you're seen." As the guards left he gripped Drizzt's arm and pulled him inside and closed the door.
Drizzt winced as sore, stiff muscles in his shoulders protested. He had been shackled for hours. I wonder what in the nine hells is going on, he thought.
The man walked past. "Follow me, don't lag or it'll go bad for you," he warned. He led Drizzt down a barren hallway with doors on both sides then up a carpeted stairway for three flights. They were stopped at a set of double doors by a guard.
Drizzt recognized him. It was the Half-Orc that had been at the marketplace.
The Half-Orc smirked. "I see those foolish, greedy guards turned him over," he said.
"It was as easy as it always is Steelfist," the man said.
Steelfist laughed. "He's waiting for you. Go on in," he said. He pushed open the door and stepped aside.
The inner room was luxuriously and beautifully decorated. Expensive tapestries covered the walls and expensive furniture sat everywhere along with expensive trinkets. A man sat in a cushioned chair at the other end of the room. He gestured them forward. The man was fit, about thirty with blue eyes and black hair, but dressed in a simple white shirt, black tunic, black boots and black breeches.
Drizzt decided to get right to the point. "Assassin or thief?" he asked coolly.
The man raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked.
Drizzt let out a heavy sigh. "I'm not a fool. I know what this place is. I'm tired, sore, thirsty and starved. I'm not in the mood to play games," he said.
The man laughed. "Very well, I am Kiel, master of the Thieves Guild, welcome," he said. He studied him. "That must be very painful indeed. Free his hands. I'm sure he's wise enough not to do anything hasty."
The man looked a little uncertain of that, but he took out the key and unlocked the shackles, letting them clatter to the floor.
Drizzt brought his hands in front of him, wincing a bit as feeling came back. "Now why have I been brought here?" he asked.
"I want you to assist me with a problem. In return you will be free to go after the task is done," Kiel said.
"What sort of problem?" Drizzt asked warily.
"A certain noble who is causing me trouble, demanding that the guilds must be brought down. I want him removed and I want you to do it. I must not appear to be involved," Kiel said.
"Meaning you want me to kill him," Drizzt said.
"Exactly and bring me his head," Kiel said.
"No, I won't commit murder for you," Drizzt said coldly.
"Elves live for hundreds of years. How would you like to spend them in the deepest cell in the dungeon? I'm sure I can bribe the guards to do it," Kiel said menacingly.
Drizzt forced back a shudder. He didn't want that, but he was no murderer. Suddenly an idea popped into his mind. "You drive a hard bargain, guild master. Very well, I'll do what you ask," he said.
Kiel smiled in malicious triumph. "Take our guest to the special guestroom and make sure he has a hot meal and a good night's sleep. He'll need to be at his best," he ordered the man.
Drizzt was led to a plain, windowless room and locked in. He glanced around and was surprised to see his pack lying on the bed. A key rattled in the lock and door opened.
A young woman entered the room with a tray of food and set it on the small table while the man who'd brought Drizzt there waited at the door. Once she stepped out the door was closed and locked again.
Drizzt sighed and forced himself to eat then settled down to try to get some sleep. He had a feeling he would need his wits about him…
Eppp! Bad business---R/R please!!!