Thank you for reviewing everyone. I've been noticing that this story and Troubles of Love always seem to have close to the same amount of reviews…Neat!
Chapter 23--Seeking Answers
At sunrise the next day Drizzt and Guenhwyvar left to see if they could find the griffon's lair. Drizzt hoped to find answers there. After searching for most of the day Drizzt was tired, hungry, and frustrated. It wasn't exactly easy to track something that flies after all. He glanced at Guenhwyvar who yawned, showing long, sharp teeth. He sighed. "I know how you feel. Let's fine a place to camp and we'll continue to search in the morning," Drizzt said.
An hour later they had found a suitable spot and set up camp. After a dinner of rabbit Drizzt sent Guenhwyvar home to rest in preparation for the next day when they would continue the hunt. Eventually he settled down and went to sleep.
It was only a few hours later when he was awoken by a noise. He was on his feet immediately to find himself facing the Griffon. He could see it was female now and there was an ugly wound on its left front leg. The wound was infected and oozing pus.
The Griffon hissed at him threateningly and raised one clawed foot.
"Easy, I don't want to hurt you. I could tend your wound. It must hurt," Drizzt said, using the abilities that he'd learned as a ranger. He took a cautious step forward. He was still talking to the Griffon in an attempt to soothe it though he really didn't know what he was saying.
The Griffon lowered her foot and studied him. Suddenly her head darted forward and seized his wrist in her beak tightly.
Drizzt froze, knowing she could easily bite his hand off if she wished. It was then he saw the skinned, pitiful bodies of young griffons in his mind and then he felt sorrow then vengeance and rage. Drizzt was sure he was seeing through the Griffon's eyes and feeling what she felt.
The Griffon released him as suddenly as she'd grabbed him then sat down. She looked at him.
"I take it that I can tend that wound?" Drizzt asked. He fetched what he needed out of his pack. He hoped the Griffon wouldn't take his head off his shoulders when he lanced the wound to drain it.
The Griffon screeched in pain when Drizzt lanced the wound, but didn't bite. It stayed still as he bandaged the wound. Once he was done it took off.
Drizzt settled down again grimly. He would go back to speak to the mayor first thing in the morning. There was something wrong about all this. He could sense it. It was barely dawn when Drizzt woke the next day, but he set off towards the town and once he was there he went straight to the mayor's house and pounded on the door, ignoring how early it was.
Kelt opened it after about ten minutes, haphazardly clad in a robe with hair mussed and sticking up in all directions. "What the hell is it?" he demanded then he seemed to realize who it was. "Oh, it's you Ranger Do'Urden. Have you found out what the problem is?" he asked. He had the grace to look embarrassed by his rudeness.
"Perhaps, but I need to look around the dead hunters' homes to know for sure," Drizzt said.
"As you wish," Kelt said. He gave Drizzt directions to the houses. "Do whatever you must, good night," he added then closed the door.
Drizzt found the first hunter's home and went inside and began to search. He didn't find what he sought so he went to the next hunter's house and searched it as well, still he didn't find what he was looking for. Praying, he went to the final house and began to search there. After three hours he'd had no luck and was starting to despair when he found a hidden compartment in the wall. He looked inside and there they were. Three carefully tanned skins from small Griffons. He gathered them up gently and returned to the mayor's house. He knocked on the door and it opened immediately.
The mayor was dressed and neat this time. "So did you find what you wanted?" Kelt asked.
"Yes, may I come in?" Drizzt asked.
"Yes, yes, of course," Kelt said. He allowed Drizzt to enter then closed the door. "So what is going on?" he asked.
Drizzt spread the skins on the table. "What you have is an angry mother trying to avenge the murder of her young. One or all of your hunters found a Griffon's lair and killed three cubs and skinned them. The mother Griffon was angry and hurt, so she retaliated," Drizzt said.
"So you just have to kill her," Kelt said.
"I have no intention of killing her. I'm going to take these skins to her and see if she'll leave. She's avenged her murdered young now," Drizzt said. He gathered the skins and left…
What do you think? I decided on this because I thought it would be different. The Griffon was wronged first. R/R please!