Sigh, was hoping for a few more reviews before I did this chapter, ah well…

Chapter 27--Loopholes

The man raised his hand before any of the guards could strike. "Hold your attacks," he ordered.

"But Lord Herrick, he--" one began to protest.

"Wouldn't tell me he was going to kill me if he was going to do so," Herrick said. "Wait a moment, captain Tyrel." He leaned forward in his chair slightly. "Take off you hood. I wish to see your face."

Drizzt mentally prepared for an attack as he did so, but though several guards put their hands on their weapons, none attacked.

"Amazing, I have never seen a Drow before though I have heard things," Herrick remarked.

"I'm sure none of what you heard was good," Drizzt said ruefully.

"Very little, who are you?" Herrick asked.

"My name's Drizzt Do'Urden, my Lord," Drizzt said, "From Icewind Dale."

"I have heard stories of you. It's said you are an honorable man, a ranger. So why did you admit that you are here to kill me? Who sent you?" Herrick asked.

"I'm no murderer as you've all ready heard, Lord and it was the master of the thief's guild," Drizzt said.

Herrick's eyes flared. "That sneaky bastard! He'll pay for this!" he swore. "So what were you to do?"

"He said I was to swear to bring him your head or face life imprisonment," Drizzt said calmly.

"But you won't be able to do that now. You've broken your vow," Herrick said.

"Do you plan to go there with some men?" Drizzt asked.

"Most certainly," Herrick said. "This very night we shall go."

"Then I have kept my vow. The guild master said to bring him your head. He didn't say to bring just your head nor that I was to cut it off first," Drizzt said calmly.

Lord Herrick stared at Drizzt in stunned surprise for an instant then burst out laughing. "You are very clever, ranger," he said. "Few would have thought of that loophole. I'm surprised the guild master didn't catch that oversight!!" he laughed.

Even Captain chuckled. "You're clever indeed, Ranger Do'Urden. I agreed with Lord Herrick. Few would have thought of such a thing. Shall I prepare the men, my Lord?" he asked.

"Yes, prepare them swiftly," Herrick ordered. "We must hurry."

Tyrel bowed. "At once, my Lord," he said and hurried from the room all ready shouting orders.

You will show us the way?" Herrick asked Drizzt.

"Yes, I have something I must retrieve," Drizzt said.

"Very well, what payment can I offer you for your warning?" Herrick asked.

Drizzt was about to say he needed no payment when he remembered. "I need swift passage back to Icewind Dale. I must get there as soon as possible," he said.

"I can arrange that. My fastest ship will be in the day after tomorrow. I'll have him take you aboard and put out as soon as possible," Herrick agreed.

""That's all the payment I need, my Lord," Drizzt said politely. It gave him hope; perhaps he would make it home before the child was born after all. I'm coming, Catti-brie. Be strong for just a little longer, he thought.

Faster then Drizzt thought all was ready and the left the manor house. Drizzt knew that there were a lot of risks in what they were doing. The guild master would have defenses other then his men. They would have to be ready for anything.

When they arrived at the building there were no guards at the door, a very bad sign. "Wait, there may be a trap," Drizzt said.

"Nonsense, the gutter rats just abandoned a sinking ship," one guard snorted. He tried the door before Drizzt could stop him. The Drow's sensitive ears caught a soft click as the door opened.

Drizzt moved fast as a cat. He tackled the guard as a crossbow bolt whizzed out of the darkness, barely missing as they fell. It stuck in another building with a thud.

Drizzt untangled himself from the guard and stood up. "If you want to get yourself killed wait for a time when others won't go with you," he snarled.

Captain Tyrel was glaring at the guard too and by his expression the guard would get a much worse punishment later.

Taking a deep breath, Drizzt entered the building warily…..

So what do you think of the loophole? Sneaky huh? And Drizzt is still keeping his word!! That guild master is in for a surprise, don't you think? R/R please!!!!