Well, classes are done until the 5th of January and tomorrow I work from noon until four then I'm off work until the fifth, which means more time to update, but not on Christmas day of course. I won't have computer access…so Merry Christmas!!!
Chapter 17--The Chase Begins
Drizzt was aware of the many eyes that followed him as he walked over to the chair. He sat down and was relieved when attention was off him.
"You move with the haughty assurance of a noble. We'll be discussing that as well," Shandra said softly.
"We'll see," Drizzt shrugged.
"Indeed we will," Shandra agreed. She began filling her plate.
Drizzt did the same, grateful for the distraction.
After just a few minutes Tarion entered the room and glanced around. He didn't seem pleased to see that the only empty chair was next to Drizzt. He came over and sat down and began filling a plate for himself. He ignored Drizzt as if he wasn't there.
Drizzt pretended not to notice the snub and finished his food then stood. "I believe I'll go have a look around town," he said.
"Wait and I'll go along…" Shandra said and started to stand.
"Shandra, I would like to speak with you," Tarion said.
Shandra sighed and looked at Drizzt. "Then I'll see you later," she said. It was obvious she wasn't pleased to be left behind.
"Of course," Drizzt said. He left and hurried to his room to retrieve his weapons and armor before leaving the temple.
Tarion moved into Drizzt's empty chair. "It has been nearly a year. Have you considered my proposal?" he asked. "I have been patient."
Shandra sighed. "I can't marry you, Tarion. I have told you before that I think of you as a close friend, but that is all," she said.
"But I love you, Shandra…I've loved you for a long time," Tarion protested.
"I'm sorry," Shandra said. She stood and hurried from the room.
Tarion stared after her, eyes narrowed. He wouldn't give up that easily. She was meant to be his wife and he wouldn't let her go.
Shandra was disappointed when her knock at Drizzt's door wasn't answered. She decided to try to catch up with him.
Drizzt walked slowly down the street, hood drawn over his face to shield his eyes from the sun. It felt good to be alone with his thoughts. It was hot without a hint of a breeze and dust filled the air as people moved around. Drizzt retreated into a bar to get a cold drink. It wasn't any cooler in there then it had been inside.
The bar was crowded and it took Drizzt awhile to make his way to the bar and find a place to sit. He ordered a goblet of wine and the serving wench hurried off. He had just gotten his wine when he felt eyes on him and looked up.
A large burly man and a woman were eying him from across the room. Both wore chain mail and carried swords. They looked like mercenaries or soldiers.
Drizzt looked away, not wanting to start any trouble. He would certainly be blamed. Wouldn't Shandra just love having to pay to get me out of jail? He thought. That's when he sensed someone standing over him. He looked up, two some ones actually.
The man and woman stood by his table, neatly blocking his escape. The woman glared down at him with cold green eyes, black hair was cropped short.
The man had brown hair and blue eyes, but didn't look as cross as the woman though he didn't look pleased either.
"You want to tell me just what you were staring at, runt?" the woman demanded.
"Nothing," Drizzt said calmly. It was then he noticed the shackles hanging from the woman's belt. He hadn't seen them before. Great, she's a slaver and you got her attention, Do'Urden, he thought.
"You were staring at something, now answer my question," she said.
"Easy Teiya," the man said.
"I want an answer, Zane," Teiya retorted without looking away from Drizzt.
"I seem to remember that you were staring at me first," Drizzt observed then winced inwardly. He shouldn't have said that.
"Think you're clever, runt? I could break your neck like a twig," Teiya snarled.
"Pardon me, is there a problem?" a voice said from behind them.
Drizzt barely hid a sigh of relief as the mercenaries moved aside a bit to reveal Shandra.
The symbol of Tyr around Shandra's neck caught the mercenaries' attention. "No, no problem. We were just talking to this stranger," Zane said.
"Well, he's with me, so if you don't mind we'd like to be alone," Shandra said.
The two mercenaries wasted no time in leaving the bar.
Drizzt sighed in relief. Suddenly he wasn't so thirsty anymore.
"Can't you take a simple walk without causing trouble? It makes me look bad," Shandra sighed.
Drizzt scowled. "I didn't start anything and if I make you look bad then I'll be glad to release you from any responsibility to me," he said. He stood and tossed down a coin to pay for his barely touched drink. He stalked angrily out of the inn.
Shandra cursed a bit under her breathe and followed him….
Heh, heh, going to be an explosion soon I think…R/R please!!!!