Chapter Two

Mission Revealed

Time seemed to freeze for Drizzt at that moment. He stood stock still staring into red eyes, framed by ebony skin and milky hair. Del'Fayne's nervous fidgeting snapped him out of it. Bruenor was tightly gripping his axe, and both Wulfgar and Regis seemed to be locked into the same daze as he had been. Del looked down. "I am sorry for not telling you the truth..." She shook her head. "I just didn't want to frighten you. Being a female drow and all.."

"Shh, lass." Bruenor had released his axe. "We obviously don't fear drow, travelling with th' durned elf an all."

Drizzt stepped closer to her. "Where?" He managed to choke out.

"Ched Nasad." She took a few paces away. "Or what was once the great metropolis of the Underdark. Not much of it exists anymore. It's strange how easily our race can commit mass slaughter." She let out a sardonic chuckle that caused Drizzt to flinch. Turning to face them again, she sighed gently. "I left nearly half a century ago. It is a long tale and not one for the road. Perhaps once my mission has been completed and I have reached the Spirit Soaring, there will be time for tales."

"Why did you leave?"

She frowned. "I told you we shall speak later. For now I am sore and hungry. I still have four days travel before reaching the cathedral." Del walked over to Arcite, who was munching happily on a tuft of grass. Her saddlebags lay nearby and she rummaged through them, pulling out a pouch of nuts, berries, roots and plantlife she had gathered as she traveled.

"Lass? Are you not goin ter join us?" Bruenor motioned to the pot of stew simmering over a small fire.

"I am afraid not. You need time to adjust to what has happened. I will take my meal and rest by the stream."

"Are ye sure that's safe?" Catti-brie asked gently.

"Indeed. I will be fine. Taerth is still about."

Drizzt frowned. "Can't say as how that thought comforts me. I still cannot get over the fact that he is a displacer beast."

Del smiled and headed back the way she had come from. "He will keep me safe just as he has done each night for five years. I trust him as my closest friend." With that she stepped into the brush. " Kyorl ussta unboin, Taerth." (Guard my steps) The ensuing growl from the great beast made the companions grimace.

"Come on. Let's eat. I'm sure she'll be alright." Regis tried for a light tone, but it was lost on the rest of the group.

"I'm not sure I trust her now." Wulfgar replied with a soft growl as he sat down next to the fire. A reprimanding glare from Catti-brie silenced his next comment.

Drizzt sighed as he dropped soundlessly down next to them. "Do not be afraid to voice concerns. I understand them, for I have them myself." He accepted a bowl of stew from Regis. "The only dealings I've had with my kin have been unpleasant...or Jarlaxle."

Bruenor snorted. "Now that's one I don't trust!" His vehemence brought half-hearted smiles to every face.

"I don't think we should judge Del'Fayne just yet. We know next to nothing about her, and she did help with that Frost Giant. Even taking an injury in the process. I say we just wait and see what happens. First off I think we should go with her to the cathedral. Visiting Cadderly and Danica, as well as the twins, Ivan and Pikel sounds like a fair idea." She received nods of assent from the group. The rest of the meal was spent in silence.

Drizzt took the night watch as the others retired. He had much to think about and sleep would not likely claim him anytime soon. Lavender orbs slipped into the heat-spectrum as he glanced out over the trees. Perhaps he should go check on Del just in case. He shook his head and sighed. No. That wouldn't be fair to her. Was he so ready to trust her? No again. Some things just didn't fade too quickly. He still felt wary around those of his own race. Especially Jarlaxle, he thought with a chuckle.

Why then was he so willing to trust her before she had revealed her heritage? He realized the fine line he walked now. Would he judge her so? If he did, wouldn't he be just like those who judged him in the same fashion? Unable to sit till any longer, he moved away from the cave and took several steps towards the forest path. He stood as if frozen. For several long moments, he fought his indecision. Finally with a resigned sigh, he strode silently towards Del's small camp.

Del had bathed and redressed her wound earlier. Changing into loose-fitting clothes had taken much of the pressure off her ribs and she now reclined easliy against Taerth. The displacer beast's eye were closed, but his ears twitched, showing his awareness. Suddenly the great cat growled low in his throat, yellow eyes flashing open. "Rescho nin. Naut xuileb ussta quarth." (Easy now. Not without my command.)

Drizzt stepped slowly into the clearing, hands in a non-threatening posture. "I just came to check on you."

Del smiled gently and turned to Taerth, soothing the beast with soft words and scratches. "Don't worry about him." She turned to Drizzt. "He's protective of me."

He nodded. "Guen and I have much the same relationship. I would have never thought displacer beasts were anything other than monsters."

A soft chuckle escaped her and she resumed her relaxed posture. "What is your real reason for seeking me out, Drizzt?"

He sighed. She was proving far too perceptive. "I wanted to talk."

"I gathered that already." She frowned at his crestfallen expression. "Ask whatever you wish."

"How long have you been on the Surface?"

"Just over two decades."

"What brought you to it?"

Her frown deepened. "That is a most complicated explanation. Let's just say I was displeased with a choice that was made for me."

He understood her tone meant that path was forbidden. Perhaps some other time, then. "Why did you become a druid?"

A blissful sigh left her, and she reclined into Taerth even more. Arcite watched her for a moment, before returning to lightly grazing. "One of the order showed me great kindness when I needed it most. He became a light in my darkness. No matter what he saw when he looked at me, it didn't matter. Eventually he convinced me to abandon my former life and join him as his pupil. He was my mentor for seven wonderful years, until his recent death."

"I am sorry to hear that he has passed on."

"Thank you." She stifled a yawn. "Now if you are quite done with your interrogation, I would care to sleep. I am wounded after all." She quirked an eyebrow at the ranger.

"Oh, my apologies. I keep strange hours." He stood and brushed himself off. With a bow he slipped back into the forest.

/He likes you./

Del turned to Arcite with a frown. He is merely curious, let it be.

/I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly. After all.../

Don't you dare say it! He is not gone.

/No one returns from Carceri, Mistress. He is dead./

"Shut up Arcite! I will hear it no more!" She glared at the stallion.

/My apologies. Forgive my despair. I do wish to see him again as well./

With a sigh, she settled back down against Taerth's strong shoulder. She mumbled to the cat. "Don't you follow his example and get a voice, too. Otherwise people will hardly think me sane. Talking to both my animal familiars." Another yawn, and she was out cold with one of Taerth's massive paws holdong her close to him. He wouldn't tell her, not just yet. Arcite snickered.

Just after sunrise, Del began repacking her saddle bags. She pulled out a bundle wrapped in deep green velvet. She unwrapped it and gently examined the honey oak box. It seemed unharmed, none of the runes were scraped, and it still shone from within. With a smile, she wrapped it back up and slipped it into her saddle bag again. Soon she lead Arcite back up the trail and into the cave's clearing.

She smiled to see that they had broken camp as well and were waiting on her. Catti-brie grinned. "Morning, Del'Fayne. Did ye sleep well?"

"Aye. I slept very well."

"Did ye have breakfast yet?"

Del nodded. "I did. Are you leaving?"

Drizzt shook his head. "No. We decided to accompany you to the Spirit Soaring. If that is alright. We are friends of Cadderly and Danica, after all, and a visit is long overdue."

"That sounds fine. Can't say as how I mind the company. After so long on the road one begins holding conversations with items that would be a question to their sanity." The group shared a laugh.

"So why are ye going to the cathedral, lass?" Bruenor asked.

"I am to deliver an artifact of the order to make a place for Sylvanus there. It must be done before the summer solstice in a fortnight."

"I see." Drizzt stretched. "We should get going then, if you're ready."

"I am. Thank you." She smiled. "Don't worry about scouting ahead. Taerth will do that and alert us of any danger." Del turned to Regis. "Would you like to ride Arcite? You took quite a blow to the head yesterday."

The halfling nodded enthusiastically. "Shouldn't you ride too, though? You were hurt as well."

"Later, for now I will walk." She boosted him up into the saddle. "Shall we?" The companions nodded and set out along the road.