Disclaimer: See earlier chapters

Icingdeath: Hope this was soon enough and really, you are the first person I have ever met who admits a liking for cliff-hangers!

Neven: Not so wicked this time, sorry:-) 

SsinurnSolen: Thanks!

LadyJanelly: Yep he's caught, but since I like him he'll survive the encounter.

A/N: For everybody who has wondered about it, I didn't give Catti-brie her typical accent, because honestly I couldn't write it if my life depended on it! Simply writing in a language which is not my own is hard enough without adding strange stuff like ye or the other things she always says which I can't remember right now.

Surprises

"You…I… ." He stops talking and covers his face with both hands too ashamed to look her into the eyes. When she turns back to me, she is trembling with rage and for a second I wonder whether she'll kill me now, caught up in mindless fury.

"You bastard!" She hisses. "I trusted you and you just…you just… this will not stay without consequences for you, you son of a bitch!"

Throughout this sentence she has steadily raised her voice until it has reached such a high pitch that it hurts my sensitive ears and I have to grit my teeth to keep from covering them with my hands. Burash still seems to have a difficult time to fully understand what is happening right in front of him, but I can see the way he is looking at me and how his disbelief is slowly turning into something else, something which is probably even more dangerous for me than her hot blooded anger. If he feels that he can rightfully sort me in one of his neat little drawers that says "Evil" he'll have absolutely no qualms about executing me on the spot should he feel that to be a fitting punishment. I know his single minded approach to moral principles too well, to expect merciful judgement from his side after seeing this kind of expression on his face. Much to my surprise, and everybody else's I think, it is Drizzt's voice which fills the silence next.

"Put the sword down please." He says tiredly and I can only stare in dumbfounded astonishment when he continues. "This is a matter between the two of us."

"NO it isn't!" Catti-brie hisses her sword still on my throat. "He used me to force you into this! And he has just admitted it laughing in my face."

"Yes, that may be the case, but he did save your life. Does that mean nothing to you?"

I can clearly see how it pains her to hear this. To owe her life to someone who betrayed her in such an uncaring manner. Why is he defending me anyway? Ah, never mind the why, it is useless anyway because he'll not persuade Burash, no matter how hard he should try. She doesn't seem very appeased either and makes no move to sheathe her blade, even though we must look quite ridiculous. Me stark naked and defenceless on the bed and her in full battle dress threatening me as if I could actually do anything besides blushing, which I am pleased to note I have managed to avoid so far.

"You will be severely punished for using a friend of our Lady like this Rashiel. I hope you know that."

At that I can only raise an eyebrow. Burash's voice has the icy calm quality that with him indicates a dislike bordering on hatred and I must say, he has recovered remarkably fast from what must be a devastating blow to his mindset. I don't know why but for some reason this circumstance, paired with the condescending undertone of his statement makes me very angry. We have been friends for years and now he is willing to throw all this away after only a few seconds of consideration? I would have expected at least a little more hesitation from him, but I should probably learn to be more careful in future about who I choose as my friend.

Vexed by my own faulty judgement I hiss back: "I used him like the whore he is and was stupid enough to let myself be caught. Yes of course I would expect punishment for such blatant inattentiveness."

All three of them wince at my harsh words, but I'm past caring and go on with a sharp voice that is dripping with sarcasm. "So what do you suggest then old Friend? Kill me? Sell me to a brothel so I'll know what it is like to be used? Lock me up in some dark room so that I can think about my mistakes and repent? What?!"

A second later I want to bite off my tongue for suggesting to sell me, because can I practically see how the idea takes hold in his mind. Yes that would be exactly what he'd like, give what you get, only he himself would probably never have thought of something so elaborate. That kind of thing has always been my speciality. And sadly I have to admit, that were the villain in question not me, I would probably congratulate myself for thinking up such a fitting revenge.

But now I have doubtlessly sealed my fate, because it is very unlikely that I'll still find a way to convince them that the drow went into this willingly. Not after my stupid outburst a few seconds ago. I already regret that I let my temper get the better of me, although there's nothing I can do about it now.

"You know, I had something more conventional in mind." Burash is saying. "But since you're suggesting it we might just as well follow your lead and sell you."

I had anticipated it, but still, hearing it from his lips is even worse than I thought and I have to grit my teeth in helpless frustration to keep from grabbing the next best thing and throw it in his face.

"No!"

Do'Urden, again. What in the nine hells has gotten into him? Does he want to kill me himself or has he chosen this most unsuitable of moments to finally acknowledge his nature and suddenly come to terms with it? Whatever it is, I'm certain that one day he'll be the death of me! Burash is even more surprised than Catti-brie and I. He starts to object.

"But… ."

"No." He is cut off by Drizzt. "You will not do anything to him. I went along with it out of my own free will."

I can clearly see that the two are not going to believe this and apparently he recognizes it too, because he decides to support his words with tangible proof, reaching around my neck to pull me into an unexpectedly deep kiss that leaves me flushed and our spectators gaping in utter astonishment. A sentiment I can understand only too well, because currently I feel exactly the same way, although I decide wisely not to let it show and with considerable effort manage to keep up an impassive facade.

A quick study of his face doesn't give me any clues as to why he is suddenly behaving in such a strange way. His expression is serious, the gaze of lavender eyes fixed firmly on the blue ones of the girl, willing her to believe him. She stares back, silently and I can tell that somehow these looks contain more information than meets the eye, for after what feels like an eternity she seems to come to a conclusion and breaks the eye contact to look at me instead, while finally removing the sword from its inconvenient place at my throat.

"We will talk about this." She tells me coldly before turning to Burash adding: "In private.", with a meaningful glance towards the door.

For a second I doubt that he will heed her request, but then he turns abruptly and leaves the room, followed by the drow, who has by now wrapped the sheet around himself and seems quite uncomfortable at the thought of having to wait out there without any decent clothes, but doesn't object in any way. Well, at least this lack of garments ensures that he won't just run away, which I suppose is a good thing right now, seeing that he's the only one defending me.