Hi everyone, here's the next chapter of Topsy Turvy…thanks to all my reviewers.
Chapter 4--Beginning the Journey
Early the next morning Drizzt gathered his things, glanced around the room one last time then left. He stopped at the audience chamber to say his farewells to the Lady.
Alustriel rose when he entered. "Are you sure I can't coax you to stay?" she asked.
"I can't. I must do this," Drizzt said.
"I won't stop you. You must do what you feel is right," Alustriel said. She handed him a scroll. "The letter I promised, be safe, my friend and return to visit when you're ready."
Drizzt took the scroll and bowed. "I will, Lady Alustriel," he said. He shouldered his pack and left the room. He didn't see Alustriel wiping tears from her eyes.
"Safe journey and return to me when your heart heals. I'll be waiting," Alustriel whispered.
Drizzt reached the dock in a half hour and began walking along it, looking for a likely ship. He finally chose on at the further end of the dock….The sea Queen. He went onboard.
A crewman came up to him right away. "What do you want?" he asked, eying Drizzt warily since Drizzt had not bothered to hide his race.
"Where's this ship bound?" Drizzt asked.
"To the port town of Hyreth….far to the west," the sailor said.
Drizzt had never heard of the city, which suited him fine. It was as good a destination as any. "I would like to buy passage," he said.
"Stay here, I'll fetch the captain," the sailor said and hurried off.
Drizzt examined the scroll, noting it was sealed. Frowning, he put it in his pack as the captain approached him.
The burly Human stopped in front of Drizzt and looked him over critically. "So you want passage?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm willing to work for it," Drizzt said.
"Don't need any more help now. I got enough crew. Fee is a hundred gold coins," the captain said.
Drizzt frowned. The price was high and he could easily pay it and have plenty left, but he didn't want the captain to know that. "Too much, but no matter. There are other ships," he said and turned to leave. He was certain the captain wouldn't want to loose a paying passenger and he was right.
"Wait Drow, seventy-five pieces of gold!' he said.
Drizzt shook his head. "Fifty, that's the best I can do," he said.
The captain nodded. "Very well, fifty," he agreed. "We leave in two hours. Make sure you are here by then or we leave without you," he said.
"I'll be here," Drizzt said. He left the ship. There were a couple things he needed to take care of before he left. An hour and a half later Drizzt retuned to the ship.
The captain came over right away. "Payment is due before we leave," he said.
"Half payment for now. You'll get the rest when we arrive at our destination," Drizzt said and tossed him a small pouch.
The captain wasn't to pleased, but he took the money. Your cabin's downstairs, first door on the right," he said and walked off, shouting orders at his crew.
Finally all was ready and the ship headed out to sea. Drizzt stood at the railing and watched the familiar lands until they were out of sight. He turned away and headed toward the bow. The life he had once known was over now and he had to accept that.
The next couple days were a little hard. Drizzt had grown to like the sea after sailing with the Sea Sprite, but it brought back memories too. Those memories were of Catti-brie. They had learned about seamanship together, sparred everywhere from the deck to the railing until Captain Deudermont had ordered them to keep he sparring on deck. He swore that if either one of them fell overboard they could swim to shore. Drizzt chuckled a bit at the memory. He wondered where his road would lead now…
So the Drow's new travels are beginning! R/R please!!!