Hi, had a great visit with my friend. She always brightens my day and now I feel ready to go!! Oops, I did lose Catti's accent, but I fixed that!!!

Chapter 34--Renewed Hope

"May I see that? It might be a stupid prank someone is pulling," Wulfgar said. "If it is I'll have the prankster's head when I find out who did it." He took the carving and examined it. He looked at the bottom because that was the best way to find out if it was Drizzt's. His face paled when he saw DD and R carved in the bottom. It was truly Drizzt's. "It's no prank," he whispered. "It's got Drizzt and Regis' initials carved on it."

Catti-brie took the carving back. "It's some kind of sign. I'm sure of it. Drizzt is alive and suren he'll find his way back to me," she whispered.

Delly hugged her. "I hope so, Cat. Are you all right now?"

"Yes, I think I'll be lyin' down awhile," Catti-brie said. Once Catti-brie was alone she went upstairs and for the first time since Drizzt had disappeared-- she went into the master bedroom. She laid down and put the carving around her neck then clutched it in her hand. It soothed her and she fell asleep.

*Three Days Later*

Drizzt stood at the railing of the ship, watching Port White Sand recede in the distance. At last he was on his way home. He hoped there would be no more delays. May Mielikki make it so, he thought.

One thing Drizzt had always hated about sea travel was the monotony. Since he had paid for passage he wasn't expected to do anything. He almost wished he were. The cabin was small and cramped. Most of the crew completely ignored his existence, except for Jules. He had been introduced to Captain Garth who had nodded curtly and told him to make sure he stayed out of the crew's way.

Drizzt wandered over to the railing and leaned against it, looking down at the water. He remembered the comradeship he had enjoyed on the Sea Sprite wistfully. Forget it, you'll be off this ship soon enough and you won't have to see anyone on this ship again, he thought.

Jules came up to him. "Didn't you hear me call? Lunch is ready," he said.

Drizzt managed to hide a grimace. The ship's cook wasn't very good. Drizzt had certainly had enough dried fish and biscuits to last him for centuries! "Thanks, but I'm not hungry, Jules," he said.

Jules shrugged. "As you wish, but don't skip meals often or the captain will be on you about it," he said and walked away.

Drizzt returned his gaze back to the brilliant blue water and allowed his thoughts to wander to more pleasant times. He would be glad to get off this ship and to get back to Icewind Dale.

A shove against his shoulder brought Drizzt out of his thoughts. He looked up to see one of the crew members. "The captain wants to speak to ya right now. He's in his cabin," he said.

"Thank you," Drizzt said and headed that way. Once there he knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Garth yelled.

Drizzt did so. "You wished to speak to me?" he asked.

Garth didn't even look up from the papers he was looking at. "Close the door," he ordered.

Drizzt bristled a bit at being ordered like a servant, but he bit it back. He was the captain and had a right to give orders after all. He closed the door.

Garth raised his head and studied him. He didn't offer him a chair. "Jules tells me that you agreed to be one of the caravan guards, why?" he asked.

"I'm heading that way and I live in Ten-Towns so I know the terrain well. I felt I could be of great help. That's all," Drizzt said.

"Remember whose in charge and we'll get along fine. You can go now. Just remember what I said about staying out of the crew's way," Garth said. He went back to his papers as if Drizzt no longer existed.

Yes sire, Drizzt thought sarcastically and left the cabin. This was going to be a long journey…..

So how'd you like it? Isn't the captain a jerk? R/R please!!!