Hey all, here we go again. A big thanks to all those who put me on there favorites list and to my reviewers…
Chapter 15--A Night Out
They left the temple and headed down the street. Drizzt glanced over at Shandra and snickered.
"What's so amusing?" Shandra asked.
"So you wear your armor to dinner. Are you going to sleep in it as well?" Drizzt asked.
"If you want an answer to that you'll have to spend the night in my chambers,' Shandra smirked.
Drizzt stared at her. He stopped walking without realizing it.
Shandra stopped too and looked at him then burst out laughing. "You should see your face right now. The expression is priceless," she gasped.
Drizzt blushed; thankfully Shandra didn't seem to notice. "You're unlike any paladin I've ever seen," he grumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Shandra shot him a mischievous grin. "You'll get used to it. Now come on, I'm starved," she said. They resumed walking. They came to a well-maintained inn called The Black Rose.
"Here we are. Come on," Shandra said. She led the way inside.
The inn was busy, but very clean and not too rowdy. A serving wench met them the minute they entered. "Shandra, you're back. It's good to see you. Your usual table?" she asked.
"That would be fine, thank you, Kisha," Shandra said.
It was then the girl noticed Drizzt and her eyes widened. Drizzt braced himself, waiting for the girl to scream and run, but to his surprise she didn't. She smiled at them both. "Follow me please," she said.
Kisha led them to a table in the corner of the room. Once they were seated she hurried off, promising someone would see to them soon.
Drizzt sighed and allowed himself to relax.
"Are you alright?" Shandra asked.
"Fine, I see you are here often," Drizzt said.
"Don't worry. No one will bother you as long as I'm here," Shandra said.
Drizzt appreciated the thought, but he didn't like the idea that Shandra felt like she needed to protect him. He was capable of watching out for himself.
Shandra noticed the pensiveness and looked concerned. "I'm sorry that Varian locked you in the guest room like that. It was very rude of him, to treat a guest that way," she said.
"I won't accept that kind of treatment a second time Shandra," Drizzt said. It wasn't the top thing bothering him, but he hadn't liked it.
"It won't, I agreed to be responsible for anything you do. They accepted my vow, so they won't lock you up again," Shandra said.
I used to swear an oath on my behavior and have it accepted, Drizzt thought. Well, I was the one who wanted to get away from familiar territory.
Shandra was observant enough to see what she said had not helped. "What is really bothering you?" she asked.
"Perhaps a bit of homesickness as foolish as it sounds," Drizzt said.
"It doesn't sound foolish at all. I miss my home as well sometimes. Where is home?" Shandra asked.
"Icewind Dale," Drizzt said.
"I know where that is. I saw it on a map in the temple library. You're a long way from home," Shandra said. "What brought you all the way out here?"
Drizzt just shrugged. He wasn't ready to tell her.
Shandra might have pushed more for an answer, but another serving wench came up to them. "What can I bring you?" she asked.
Shandra winked at Drizzt. "Do you trust me?" she asked.
"Go ahead," Drizzt said.
"We'll both take steak, spiced potatoes and a mug of that fine brandy you stock," Shandra said.
"Very well, It'll be up soon," the girl said and hurried off to tend another customer.
"This place has the finest steaks in the city and the brandy is the best I have ever tasted," Shandra said. She grinned at Drizzt.
"Are you trying to get me drunk, paladin?" Drizzt asked.
"I bet you're cute when you're drunk," Shandra offered.
"Cute, did you just call me cute?" Drizzt asked with a mock frown.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Shandra asked.
"No if you're talking about puppies or kittens," Drizzt grumbled. He remembered bantering with Catti-brie like this and felt a pang of sorrow.
They were interrupted by the serving wench's arrival with their food. She set it in front of them then left again.
Drizzt turned his attention to his food. After a couple of minutes he realized Shandra was staring at him. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"A moment ago your eyes showed grief. What haunts you?" Shandra asked.
Drizzt was taken aback a bit by that, only Catti-brie had been able to read him so well. "It's passed and there no use bringing it up," he said.
Shandra let it go, but she silently vowed that they would have a long talk later. Something haunted the Drow who was now her companion and she wanted to know what it was. She turned to her food and they talked of lesser things as they ate……
Hope this isn't to short, but I thought this would be a good place to end…R/R please!