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Chapter 15--The Best Laid Plans

Drizzt moved away from the cave entrance. He figured it would be best to wake the guards, so they could help if needed and get Fiona behind them for safety. She was closest, so Drizzt dropped to one knee beside her and reached out to shake her.

Fiona's eyes snapped open just before he touched her. She saw the scimitar he was still holding and how close he was then she screamed.

Drizzt winced as the scream echoed around the cave, waking both guards who leaped to their feet and grabbed their weapons.

"What the hell are you doing, Drow?" one demanded.

That's when the growling started by the door. Drizzt spun and drew his other scimitar. The scream and the guard's loud voice had drawn the attention of whatever was out there. "I was trying to quietly wake you because there was something lurking outside. I thought it might try to attack, but since she decided to scream and you had to bellow it isn't going to try to attack. It's going too," he said.

Suddenly sharp claws ripped through the cover, shredding it and the animal entered. It was a huge artic bear. It reared to its full height and roared, showing six inch fangs.

Drizzt seized Fiona's shoulder and pulled her back. "Get behind us," he said. He studied the bear and saw blood all over it's left hind leg. "Xsa'ol," he muttered. He had hoped he might be able to sooth it, but the injury had maddened it beyond that.

The two guards moved up beside him with weapons in hand. "The one who strikes the fatal blow gets the pelt," one said eagerly.

"Agreed," the other said.

"Figure out who gets the pelt when its dead and we know who survives!" Drizzt snapped. He charged the bear, catching the guards by surprise.

The bear was as surprised as the men were, but it recovered quickly. It swung a huge paw at Drizzt, sharp claws exposed.

Drizzt ducked and slashed the bear's side and dodged its retaliatory swing. It would gut him if it hit. Drizzt knew that all too well.

The guards finally recovered from their surprise and charged into the fight. One slashed at the bear's leg, but wasn't fast enough. The bear's claws tore out his throat and he went down with a gurgling scream.

Drizzt winced, but used the brief distraction to his advantage. Leaping forward, he plunged both blades into the bear's chest.

The bear howled in agony, blood foaming from its mouth. Drizzt tore his blades free and leaped back as the dead beast crashed to the ground.

"You got it!" Fiona cried. She moved up to the bear's side and shivered delicately. "What a horrid beast."

Drizzt cleaned his blades on the dead animal's fur without answering and sheathed them.

"But it is a fine pelt," Fiona continued. "We will skin the beast before we go."

"One of your men is dead. I would think you'd be more concerned by that then the pelt," Drizzt said. He didn't bother to hide his disdain at her unfeeling behavior.

Fiona had the grace to look ashamed. "I'll pay for his burial, of course," she said.

"Why did you scream anyway?" Drizzt asked.

"You startled me, creeping up like that," Fiona said. "It wasn't my fault."

"Well, my lady if I were you I would restrain from screeching like a cat in heat out here. It draws attention and the wrong type of attention can be lethal," Drizzt said.

Fiona's face turned scarlet. "How dare you speak to me like that!" she fumed then tried to slap him.

Drizzt caught her wrist before the blow could fall. "That I'll not put up with. Get some sleep, we leave at dawn," he said, releasing her hand then returning to his spot.

Fiona was left to fume in anger and embarrassment. Finally she returned to her bed. I thought I would at least give him the benefit of a doubt, but he is a savage and a rogue, just like uncle Kemp said, she thought. Eventually she fell asleep.

*Meanwhile*

Holding Zak in her arms, Catti-brie peered out the window at the heavy, blowing snow and sighed in disappointment. There was no way that Drizzt would be home tonight. She was confident he would be fine. He had plenty of shelters prepared if he needed them. "Sleep well, me love. I'll miss ye tonight," she whispered and went upstairs to bed…

Sorry that this took so long…Please R/R---Thank you!!!

Translation: Xsa'ol--Damnit