Authors note-Um... okay, I'm a first time writer... I really hope you like chapter one of this. So... yes... I won't go into a long rant like some other people do.

Disclaimer-I don't own anything except for the computer I'm writing this on.

Drizzt Do'Urden crept among the rubble of house Daermon Na'Shezbaernon, his home centuries ago. It had been the eighth ranked house in the competitive social hierarchy of Menzoberranzan until about four hundred years ago; it had been destroyed by the malevolent nature of Lloth, the Spider Queen, Goddess of the Drow. His house had been cast out of favour after he had gone renegade, abandoning the evil nature of the drow and the Spider Queen. And now he was back. He didn't know why he felt so compelled to return to the place he hated most, the city of his birth, the city of chaos and assassination. But he was back, and that was all that mattered. He looked with no remorse upon the jumbled mess of stones that had been House Do'Urden.

"I was a noble. A noble in the city of the damned where all is governed by chaos and greed, where members of my own race lived their lives under the oppressive rule of Lloth!"

He spat the last word as if defying Lloth to come and strike him down where he stood. Hearing no reply, he cast one last look around his former home and strode off into the world of chaos that was Menzoberranzan. He encountered little resistance as he walked purposefully towards the north end of the cavern, The Academy, which, on a raised level contained Melee-Magthere, the fighter's school, Sorcere, the mages academy and his destination, Arach-Tinilith, the temple where young drow priestesses went to undergo their training to become full-fledged high priestesses of Lloth. As he walked through the city, he was surprised at how few drow or creatures of any race he saw along the way. He merely dismissed the lack of life as a house war with spectators or a large exhibition.

"All the better," he thought.

As he reached the stairs leading to the Academy, he cast a long glance back over his shoulder. He saw the receding glow of Narbondel, the stalagmite that was magically heated to tell the time of day. He saw the spires of House Baenre rising above the city.

"Curse this city," Drizzt mumbled.

The drow ranger turned, and with new resolve, strode off towards Arach-Tinilith. He reached the great doors and with no hesitation stepped inside. Dim candles lit up the hallways of the school in ways that would blind most drow. Drizzt, having lived above ground for several years was unaffected by the lights. He walked towards a door and silently pushed it open. The contrast of the candles in the hallway and the complete darkness blinded Drizzt for several seconds. Long enough for him to get surrounded.