Actually I don't think anyone will like my surprise. I'm not sure I even like it….

Chapter 35--Demonic Horde

The guard shifted his position on Bryn Shander's wall and glanced further down at the other sentry who was just in view. Same old business, how boring. Nothing dangerous has happened for years, he thought. He looked out over the empty tundra again just in time to see a mass of dark shapes coming. His eyes widened as a scaled, horrible thing appeared in front of him. Sharp fangs pierced his throat and darkness claimed him.

Seizing the guard by the shoulders, the demon sank its fangs into his throat, savoring the taste of warm blood. Alarms began to sound the warning and call to arms. The demon wasn't worried. The horde would overwhelm the Human city easily. It flung the drained corpse aside and leaped down into the city.

Errtu saw his hordes pour over the wall and heard the delicious screams as the demons fed on the Humans within, but he had other things to take care of, though he wished he could join the feeding. He concentrated on his victim. "I have you. I know where you are Drizzt Do'Urden and I'll taste your blood first then kill all you love," he growled. He created a gate, stepped through, and disappeared.

*Meanwhile*

Rogue woke as his beloved Lady's voice sounded in his mind. "He is coming. It is time to reveal your true self," she said. Rogue kicked open the stall door and galloped off into the night.

Drizzt had wandered into the garden, unable to sleep because of a feeling of foreboding when he felt a sudden gust of wind. He turned and horror filled his eyes. "How did you get here?" he asked.

"Hello, Drow. I warned you that I would be back. That foolish girl, Angel, made it all possible," Errtu said. "I brought friends with me. By now Bryn Shander is destroyed by my horde of demons and they will move to the next. Everyone here will die and I think I will let you live to see it. You've earned my personal care, Drow. The same care I gave the barbarian. I will savor your pain and helplessness."

Drizzt went for the ice brand, but a rush of air fanned his face as a smaller demon appeared beside him and seized his wrists. "NO!" he yelled.

The whip tightly secured around Drizzt's legs, Errtu laughed and dropped it on the ground then moved to Drizzt's side. He grabbed the weapon belt and tore it off, tossing it aside.

Drizzt cried out as the fiery whip burned into his skin, now that the ice brand was gone He bit his lip so hard that it bled to keep from making another sound.

"I'll not kill you, not yet, but I'll have a taste of your blood," Errtu growled.

Drizzt couldn't keep from screaming as the demon's fangs sank into his shoulder. He tried to free himself, but couldn't break the lesser demon's grip. A flash of silver light blinded him for an instant and Errtu snarled in pain.

"Leave him be or else!" a woman said.

"Catti-brie! Get out of here!" Drizzt gasped.

The demon holding his wrists looked at Errtu then released Drizzt and charged Catti-brie. It screamed as an arrow slammed into its chest, but kept going.

Catti-brie didn't lose her nerve. She kept firing and the demon fell dead at her feet. She aimed the bow at Errtu again. "Get away from him," she warned.

The noise had drawn attention as Errtu discovered. A hammer hit him in the shoulder as Danica and Cadderly emerged from the house. Errtu glared then flung Drizzt aside and disappeared.

Cadderly, Catti-brie and Wulfgar rushed to Drizzt's side. "Hold still, I'll heal the wound," he said.

"He said he'd brought a horde with him…attacking Bryn Shander," Drizzt gasped. "Cat, you and Delly should… take the children and go to the mines. Tell Bruenor what's going on," Drizzt gasped.

"This wound is bad. You should go as well," Cadderly said. "I can only do so much for it."

"I can't," Drizzt said calmly, looking Cadderly straight in the eyes.

A whinny caught their attention. Everyone stared as a red-coated unicorn galloped up to them. Drizzt pulled himself to his feet. "It's Rogue. He was a unicorn all along," he said.

"How do you…" Cadderly began then nodded. "May your Goddess guide you," he said.

Drizzt nodded and accepted his weapons from Wulfgar. "Make sure they get to the mines safely, Wulfgar. Swear it to me," he said.

"I swear it, Drizzt. I'll defend them with my life," Wulfgar said.

Drizzt drew Catti-brie into a long embrace. "I love you Cat, be strong," he whispered.

"I love ye too," Catti-brie sobbed. "Be careful."

Drizzt went to Rogue and mounted then they galloped off.

You understand that the Lady sent me to protect you until this day came? Rogue asked.

"I do now. I know a lot I didn't before," Drizzt said.

Then you know what you are agreeing to do and the price you will pay. You do it willingly? Rogue asked.

"Yes, I knew this could be asked of me," Drizzt said.

Rogue said nothing more and galloped towards Bryn Shander……

Ohhh, am I gonna shock all of you! R/R please….