I dedicate this chapter to my cat, Dusty who I was forced to have put to sleep yesterday. He was seventeen. My apartment feels empty without you, Dusty, I miss you. (

Chapter 19--Face Off

"I don't fear you, Drow. I could kill you easily," Renee said.

"I'm right here. Feel free to try if you're so confident of your skill," Drizzt said.

They stared at each other waiting for someone to make the next move. No one dared interfere with the silent challenge.

Renee, much to everyone's surprise, laughed. "You have nerve and gall. I'll admit that. Few dare challenge me so boldly. We will settle this, but right now we have a vampire to kill," she said and walked away, calling to Galen and Thom to help her dig graves.

Drizzt let out a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. He turned and walked towards Shandra.

"Are you alright? She could have attacked you when you challenged her. Why did you do that?" Shandra asked.

Drizzt shrugged. "We have more important things to worry about. We have to get to Kylia. Everything else can wait," he said.

It took over an hour to bury the dead men and gather everything up, but finally they were ready to move on. It was as they traveled that Shandra noticed Renee kept staring at Drizzt in a way she didn't like. She wasn't sure why though.

Guenhwyvar ranged ahead of the group, obviously watching for danger. Eventually Drizzt leaped of his mount, tossing the reins to Shandra then followed the panther.

"Don't go to far ahead!" Shandra called. "Stay within a shouting distance!"

Drizzt waved in acknowledgement before he and Guenhwyvar were out of sight in the distance.

Renee ended up riding besides Shandra. "He's got a nice ass for a Drow, but I'm sure you noticed, since you're lovers. Is he good in bed?" she asked.

Shandra blushed though she tried to hide it. She was also getting angry at the other woman's crudeness. "We are not lovers. We are companions," she said.

"Of course, a oh-so-honorable paladin would never simply jump into bed with a man. Silly of me to forget about that. The restrictions must be an awful bother. Of course there's also the fact that he is a Drow and your peoples' most hated enemy," Renee said.

"None of what you speak about is your concern and I would ask that you leave it be," Shandra said.

"Of course," Renee said and guided her horse away, leaving Shandra seething.

Meanwhile

Drizzt and Guenhwyvar moved easily through the deep grass. Both were poised and on guard for any threat that might surface. Drizzt did have an alternate motive. Taking point kept him away from Renee. He was sure he would lose control of his temper if he had to be around her much longer. Something ahead caught his attention and he moved that way. It was a large statue of an Elven woman standing next to a unicorn. The woman's left hand rested on the unicorn's neck and a songbird perched on her right. Drizzt had seen this poise in many statues and tapestries. "Mielikki," he muttered. He bowed in respect then moved closer to study the statue more closely. There was something strange about it then he realized what. The stone was as smooth as glass, which was unusual. Few sculptures smoothed stone so perfectly. It was to difficult and time consuming. There was also a pendant around the statue's neck. It was a gold amulet with a single star sapphire in the center.

It called to him and though he wasn't sure why Drizzt reached out and touched it. Lightening seemed to surge through his body, but he couldn't call out. He feel to the ground unconscious, never seeing his own amulet was glowing green.

All done, for you, Dusty. R/R please!