Over the next hour, Drizzt and Inriole talked together, about anything that crossed their minds. Drizzt had to stop himself several times before accidentally revealing to Inriole that he was drow. He didn't want to ruin his friendship with the little girl. Still he wondered what would happen when they reached the town. He couldn't just let Inriole go in by herself, she was too young. He had to go with her to see the healer, Orwen. Eventually, he decided to just go into the town as peaceably as he could, and go from there. Within the hour, Drizzt and Inriole arrived at the human town.
Drizzt could see the high walls that surrounded the small city. Guards patrolled the top, and the main gate was guarded by two men. Drizzt shifted Inriole further up on his hip and came out of the trees. He began to walk down the rutted dirt road that lead to the gate. At first the guards seemed totally taken aback, then they gathered themselves. Shouts of "Drow, drow!" rang out as the guards on top of the wall also noticed Drizzt. The dark elf slowly continued forward, as the town guards ran about. Inriole tightened her grip around Drizzt's neck.
"What do they mean, Drizzt?" Her face was scared. "Drow? Are there more drow around to hurt us?" Drizzt shushed her, and came to a halt. His ears had caught the click of a crossbow being readied. Immediately he raised his hands above his head, then slowly lowered them, and lifted Inriole from his hip. She was frightened and whimpering. "Are there drow, Drizzt? What's wrong?"
"Shh, Inriole. Everything will be fine." He set the little girl down at the side of the road, and raised his hands again. At his movement, he heard more weapons being drawn. He strove to speak calmly. "I wish no one in your town harm. All I ask is that you aid this child. Her village-." Drizzt stopped speaking. Now, even squinting into the sun, he could see the many arrows aimed at him. Drizzt started to speak again. "Her village was attacked. You have to help her-."
Drizzt's words were cut off by a shout from the town. "We know of the attack! Drow, was it?"
Drizzt hung his head. "Yes. It was drow. But I took no part-." Drizzt's words ended as a crossbow bolt embedded itself in his shoulder. He groaned in pain, and slumped to the ground, bringing one hand up to his shoulder to feel the arrow. Inriole screamed.
"Drizzt!" She blindly began to walk, her arms outstretched, trying to find him. Drizzt heard the creak of the gates opening and the rush of feet as the guards came out. Even through the haze of pain, he saw as the men slowly began to move forward. The wounded elf shifted his head, and saw Inriole stumble and fall, just a few feet away. He slowly reached out and grabbed her hand. She was sobbing in fear and confusion, and when she felt his touch, she crawled to him. "What happened, Drizzt? Did the drow shoot you?" She grabbed his hand and held it tightly.
Drizzt grunted through the pain. "No. The drow didn't shoot me." He squeezed her hand. "The men did."
"Why, Drizzt? Why would they do that?"
Drizzt sighed, and closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see her face as he continued. "Because I am drow, Inriole."
"No!" she screamed. "No you're not!" She crawled backwards, away from Drizzt, but still clung to his hand.
"He is, little girl!" one of the men shouted. "Ye can see for yerself. His skin is black as night."
Inriole screamed again. "No!" She began to cry once more.
"Can't ye see him girl?" the man asked.
Drizzt squinted up from his position on the ground. "No," he croaked. "she's blind, she can't see. I just wanted to protect her." He was silenced by the kick of a boot in his stomach.
"Yeah right, drow. You'd protect right her into her grave!" The man gestured to one of his companions, who picked up the still-crying Inriole. The first man kicked Drizzt in the stomach again, and the pain made the dark elf's mind flicker in and out of consciousness. The last thing he saw before passing out completely was two of the guards grabbing his legs, and beginning to drag him into the town. The last thing he heard was the heartbreaking wail of Inriole.