I think I scared everyone again…Sorry--Not!!!

Chapter 7--Heartfelt Prayers

Catti-brie wrung out the cloth again and laid it on Drizzt's forehead. She was exhausted, but had refused to leave his side. She had been there for almost nine hours.

The door opened and Marik came in with a tray of food. "I must insist that you eat something, Lady Do'Urden then get some rest. You must think of your baby's health as well as your own," he said.

Catti-brie was about to argue then had second thoughts. She knew Marik was right. "Will someone stay with him? I don't be wantin' him to be alone," she said.

"Wulfgar has volunteered to take the next vigil. Eat now then I will show you where you can rest," Marik said.

Catti-brie nodded and accepted the tray and began to eat. Once she started she found she was starving. She devoured everything on the tray.

Wulfgar came in shortly after she finished. "Don't worry, Cat. I won't leave him for an instant," he told her. He sat down in her place after Marik had helped her to his feet.

"Please let me be knowin' right away if anything changes, promise?" Catti-brie asked.

"I promise, Cat. Go rest now. You and the baby need it," Wulfgar said gently.

Catti-brie nodded with a final glance at Drizzt then she allowed Marik to help her from the room. The door closed softly behind them.

Wulfgar sighed heavily and looked at his friend. "If you die while I'm here Catti-brie will kill me. You do realize that? You don't want my death on your hands, do you?" he asked. He touched his friend's forehead. It was still hot and dry. "Come on, Drizzt. This would be a stupid way to die after all we've survived. You've got to fight this."

There was no response. Sighing, Wulfgar settled down. It seemed like it was going to be a long night. When Bruenor came in to take the next stint there was no change. He looked at Bruenor. "This isn't looking good," Wulfgar said.

Bruenor frowned. "Drow's to durned stubborn to die from a durned little snake bite," he said. He took his place. "Go get some sleep, boy. I be takin' over now."

"Good night," Wulfgar said and left. When he entered the bedroom Delly was waiting for him. "How is Drizzt?" she asked.

Wulfgar shook his head. "There's been no change. I fear he won't wake. The longer he's unconscious the less likely his recovery is," he said.

Delly sank into a chair. "Oh poor Catti-brie. It will kill her to lose him now!" she said.

"All we can do is hope and pray. It's in the Gods' hands now," Wulfgar said.

"I just hope they're in a good mood," Delly sighed.

Early the next morning Marik summoned them into a room for a talk. "I won't lie and tell you good things when they aren't there," he said. "The poison didn't purge completely or he would have awakened at least briefly last night. If he doesn't wake by sunset then you will have to accept that he will die that night. I'm truly sorry."

Catti-brie struggled to her feet with tears in her eyes. "Then I be stayin' at his side until he wakes or dies," she said.

Grim and silent, they followed her from the room. They would stay with Drizzt as well. Once in the room, Catti-brie summoned Guenhwyvar.

The panther sensed their worry almost immediately. She looked at each of them then at Catti-brie and waited.

"Drizzt has been poisoned, Guen if he doesn't wake up by nightfall he will die. I'm sorry," Catti-brie whispered.

The panther went to the bed then leaped onto it to lie beside Drizzt. Her posture made it clear she would not be moved. Not that anyone planned too try. Guenhwyvar had been with Drizzt longer then any of them and she had a right to be there.

*Meanwhile*

Larson left his inn, feeling giddy with success. The troublesome Drow would soon be out of his way and he hoped he died slowly and painfully. He was passing an alley when he was seized by the arm and yanked into it. He opened his mouth to yell, but a dagger against his throat stopped him.

"You weren't supposed to commit murder," a voice said.

"You said you wanted me to seduce the Dwarf's daughter! You said to get her to wed so you could have ties to the Dwarven mines!" Larson protested.

"And your attempts were clumsy and stupid. They will look at you as a suspect first and through you they might come to me. I'm removing that threat now," the voice said.

Larson tried to protest, but gurgled as his throat was cut. He was released to fall heavily to the ground--Dead.

His killer cleaned his dagger on his victim's clothes and after a quick glance around showed no sign of witnesses, he casually walked off….

Larson got it, but a new villain has entered the equation!! R/R please!