Disclaimer: Drizzt and his friends do not belong to me. I do not make any money by writing this.
Neven: Yep he's angsting, but don't worry I plan to have some kind of conclusion in the next chapter (I can't guarantee anything though:-)
Gone
Predictably Catti-brie is not happy with my suggestion and says: "You don't have to do this!"
just as he takes the bracelet from her and puts it on in one smooth, quick motion a determined look on his face. She glares at me in accusation, but doesn't protest when he moves to cut my bonds after roughly pulling the other bracelet over my wrist. Instantly I can feel the magic in the two pieces, connecting, binding and then the link is established. I think he feels it too, because I can see his eyes narrow briefly in suspicion at the unexpected tingle which runs through both our bodies.
From that point it is only a matter of a few silent, hurried minutes for me to put on my garments, grab my things and get out through the window leaving them to deal with a Burash who's guaranteed to be furious upon finding me gone. Being me I can't resist throwing the drow a last ironical smirk just before I vanish from sight.
In the alley next to the tavern I find the old shoe which I had deposited there, spelled to get me back to the city faster than Burash could ever manage, being as unprepared as he is. This fortunate circumstance will grant me the time I need to take some of the more important things from my rooms and then I'll leave what has been my home for the last six decades. Ah well, of course I cannot let my old friend keep the valuable book with all those tracing spells. I don't want him to come looking for me after all and he really should start warding his quarters properly.
After a last appreciative gaze over the beautiful spires and gardens I can see from my window I make use of a teleportation ring, which will take me back to another alley in Waterdeep. I leave no explanation or hint as to what might have happened. The people who matter know anyway.
The thought that they might be leaving the dirty tavern this very moment is incredibly amusing and I step out on the street with a wide grin on my face. That grin only widens when I think of the opportunities he inadvertently opened to me when he put the bracelet on.
Now that I have managed to get the books I need, I'll be able to change the enchantment in a manner more fitting to our situation. I still won't be able to remove the tracer, but since I've now got the chance to turn the next meeting into one with more favourable conditions for me I don't worry too much. I'll do what I can to obtain any advantage I may.
Let him come, I'll be prepared.
Only when you see him smirking do you fully realize what you have done and curse in a very uncharacteristic manner, which makes Catti-brie regard you with surprise before her expression turns back to one of uncomprehending sorrow.
"Why did you just let him leave?" She wants to know. "He has hurt you! I can see it, but I don't understand!"
And suddenly you can't bear her concern. You feel that you don't deserve it, that you have indeed betrayed her twice over once by not believing in her support and the second time by doing your best to distance yourself emotionally during the past weeks so it would be easier to leave her and live another life.
But the worst is that you still don't want her to know, that you would do almost anything to be able to turn back time and escape this moment! There is no relief in the knowledge that she won't despise you for your actions, because you still despise yourself.
You reacted to him, even in her presence, like you have never reacted to her, the one you know you love! And you do love her, don't you? Why then, why have you not been able to end this, to tell her from the beginning? Unable to face the unspoken questions in her face you turn towards the door, where the other mage is still waiting.
He takes only a second to realize what must have happened.
"You let him go?" He asks quietly and in his eyes you think you can see the tiniest spark of relief, but it's gone so fast you might have imagined it. What did Rashiel call him, old friend? Another one who has fallen under his spell? Probably not, he seemed so disgusted earlier that it can hardly be possible. From the look he is giving you now you can see that he doesn't understand either. How could he? You have only just started to understand yourself. Despite all internal worries your voice is calm and collected when you say: "Yes. As I said before, this is a matter between the two of us."
"But how will you…?"
"I'll know where to find him. Be assured that this will be settled."
You hear her sharp intake of breath when she realizes that you have no intention of telling him about the bracelet and before she can say anything you stop her with a warning look out of narrowed eyes. For a second you are surprised by your own coldness. When have you become so distant? She is hurt by your lack of trust you can tell by the teary glitter in her eyes, but it is not enough to change your feelings only to increase the guilt from which you do already suffer anyway.
"You will not tell anybody about this." You demand from both of them and only after you have received two reluctant and less than happy nods you relax slightly. If you leave now they'll have no time to ask questions to which you don't have answers, so you dress hurriedly while they watch in unhappy, insecure silence, not yet knowing what to say presented with your painfully clear and definite denial of any need for help or comfort.
"I need to deal with him on my own." You say imploringly. "Please do not interfere and let me do this."
What you need most now, is time to think and decide. Alone.
"But what are you going to do?"
In reply you can only shrug helplessly.
"I will think of something. I just need some time…" You trail off unsure of what to say.
"Don't get me wrong," Burash cuts in concern clearly showing on his face "but I think you should be careful. Rashiel can be extremely manipulative once he sets his mind to it and as I had to find out just now he can be quite ruthless too. Don't you think that…"
"No!" You snap at him, suddenly angry. "I will say it once again: Do not interfere with my affairs."
An instant later you notice with dread that you are suddenly holding a dagger in one hand and quickly put it away before you turn towards Catti-brie.
"I'm sorry. I will come back when I can."
Those are the last words you say and then you leave without so much as another glance backwards incapable of bearing their concerned presence any longer.
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