*Sigh* I know--I'm late again--for some reason I'm having a lot of trouble with this all the sudden….
Chapter 30--Confrontation
The moment Drizzt and Guenhwyvar entered the room Drizzt heard the click of crossbows. He flung himself into a forward roll. He heard bolts clatter against the floor, but none hit him. There was a loud roar and a scream. Guenhwyvar had gotten one of them.
Rolling to his feet, Drizzt looked around. Kiel sat in his chair with two men wearing swords guarding him. Drizzt's eyes narrowed when he noticed his scimitars lying on the floor next to the chair.
"You're becoming very troublesome. Drop the weapons and call off the beast or I'll have the guards kill you," Kiel threatened.
Drizzt glanced around. Seven guards, including the two at the front and the two crossbowmen. The third lay dead at Guenhwyvar's feet. They hadn't reloaded yet, obviously afraid of the cat.
"Well? Drop them, Drow! You 're outnumbered!" Kiel said.
Drizzt looked back at him. "Ten against two is unfair," he agreed.
A triumphant smile started to spread across Kiel's face, but Drizzt's next remark wiped it off.
"We could wait for you to call reinforcements," Drizzt offered.
Kiel glared at him. "You'll pay for your insolence once you're recaptured, Drow," he warned.
Suddenly a chill shot down Drizzt's spine and he jumped aside.
Sarez stumbled past him, invisibility spell broken by his attack. "Damn you!!" he growled.
"Backstabbing a Drow doesn't work well, does it?" Drizzt remarked.
"Get him!! Bring him down, but don't kill him!!" Kiel yelled.
Five guards rushed him, drawing swords and spreading out to surround him. They started tightening the circle.
Drizzt didn't wait for them. He spun and leaped at one of the guards behind him. Startled the guard tried to block, but he was too late. Drizzt's strike slashed his throat and he crumpled to the ground.
One of the crossbowmen gathered his nerve and went to load his crossbow. The minute he did the panther leaped on him. Sharp claws raked and sharp teeth tore. He was dead in an instant. The second backed off, obviously having no interest in taking on the panther himself.
Two men were down now of the group that had surrounded Drizzt and now he was fighting defensively. He was allowing them to tire themselves a little.
Sarez suddenly stepped forward into the fight, poisoned dagger and magic short sword in hand. "We shall see who wins this time," he said.
Several curses ran through Drizzt's mind. The Doppleganger was a dangerous foe that demanded his full attention, but the guards were in the way.
Sarez obviously knew that he had the advantage right now. He grinned nastily at Drizzt as he moved in to attack.
"Sarez, alive! Remember!!" Kiel yelled.
Sarez scowled, but smiled again. "Alive though not undamaged," he growled. He thrust out with the dagger, aiming for Drizzt's face. "An eye for an eye," he sneered.
Drizzt dodged the blow then hissed in pain as one of the guard's blades connected, slicing his leg. He thrust backwards with one scimitar and a heavy thud told him he had made a killing stroke. The leg wound stung, but it wasn't serious enough to hamper him.
Sarez took advantage of the distraction the guard had caused and stuck with his short sword aiming for Drizzt's shoulder.
Drizzt snapped both blades into an X, a cross parry then kicked with all his might. His foot connected solidly into Sarez's stomach.
Sarez stumbled back, gasping for breath. He was vulnerable to an attack, but Drizzt was unable to take advantage of it. The guards closed the gap, blocking him off. Drizzt cursed as he parried their blows. Another guard's sword pricked his left shoulder before he was able to parry it aside, another nicked his ear. He was slowly being overwhelmed.
Sarez leaped into the fight once again, shouldering a guard aside. He struck while Drizzt was parrying two other blows. His poisoned dagger sank deep into Drizzt's right shoulder.
Drizzt cried out as pain ripped through him then his arm dropped limply to his side--useless. He couldn't hold the scimitar and it clanged to the floor.
Sarez laughed as he and the guards moved in to attack again.
Drizzt brought up his remaining weapon, eyes flaring. He was determined to go down fighting….
Cliffhanger--Thanks to my few but loyal readers!!!