Benefit of the Doubt
Chapter 3: The Glacier
It had been over three and a half months since that night. Drizzt had written to Selene multiple times, but for some reason, she never sent a reply. He wanted to return to Hartenbough and find out why, but each time he made to leave, something would turn up and he would be required to stay. Finally, he confronted Bruenor about the subject.
"I could tell that though we had only just met that night, she was reluctant to let me leave. I sent her at least five or six letters a month, but she's made no reply." he said. The dwarf raised and eyebrow and turned to Catti-brie.
"Almost four months and still he hasn't been told?" Catti-brie looked down guiltily as Drizzt turned to her.
"What does that mean? What haven't I been told?" he demanded calmly.
". . .Our scout gave a report near four months ago that Hartenbough was burnt to the ground by Orcs. All were slain but your friend Selene. She was captured and taken towards the glaciers." she replied. Drizzt tried as best he could to control his anger at being denied this information.
"Why did you deny me this information, Catti-brie?" he asked semi-icily. Catti-brie sighed.
"I didn't tell ye because we had a scout looking for the entrance to the glacier and trying to find out more information before you rushed in like a headstrong dragon yearling!" she snapped.
"Be that as it may-" Catti-brie wouldn't let Drizzt finish that sentence.
"I wasn't going to let ye go rushing in and get yourself killed over some woman ye barely even know! Is she worth the risk?" Drizzt was silent then, trying to muster his calm.
"Yes, she is." he replied quietly before walking calmly out the entry to the Mythril Hall.
It was just as cold and dark where Selene was being kept, if not more so this night. No matter how hard she tried, or how long it had been since she'd been captured, Selene couldn't even see the cold metal bars on which she was leaning. As she gazed silently out into the void that was her prison, she wondered still why it was only she had been captured and left alive, while all others had been slain. She also wondered (mostly to take her mind off the bitter details of her predicament) if Drizzt would be angry and reprimand her for allowing her scimitars to be confinscated when they met again.
~*It's been nearly four months. He either doesn't know you're in here, doesn't give a damn, or he's dead. Either way, you'll never see him again.*~
Selene jumped at the sound of the new voice and it's ability to read her thoughts.
"Who's there?" she demanded.
~*Patience. You'll find out soon enough. Let's just say, I'm the reason your in this cage.*~ the voice snickered.
"Where are you?" Selene was curious now, but more so irritated, as could be told by her tone.
~*Wouldn't you like to know? But don't worry. As I said, you'll find out soon enough.*~ Selene was getting more irritated by the moment. She hated it when people spoke in riddles, and she certainly would make no exception for a disembodied voice.
"Now listen here, you disembodied wench! If you're not going to provide a legitimate explaination, then leave me be!" she snapped. The voice sighed boredly.
~*In any case, your precious Drow in Shining Armor won't come for you. He won't have time, as you're about to be dragged down into Menzoberranzan.*~ Selene held in a gasp of fear.
"Menzoberranzan? You mean the Drow city?" The voice laughed slightly.
~*Now you're catching on. . . .Say, I'll tell you what, I'll tell you how to set me free and if you do it, I can in turn get you out of here, What do you say?*~ It asked slyly. Selene snorted.
"Please! I may not seem it, but I'm much smarter than that. Just what makes you think I'd do something so...RECKLESS sounding? I don't know what would happen if I "set you free", as you say. I'd rather take my chances with the Drow of Menzoberranzan. It may be grotesque to think about, but at least I'd know what to expect from them." she stated, sitting back against the bars of her cage. The voice sighed.
~*Suit yourself Brothel girl, but the offer still stands. When you change your mind, I'll be waiting.*~ it said disapointedly. With the voice gone for the moment, Selene closed her eyed to sleep, only to open them to a comotion moments later.
Drizzt yeilded no mercy when the Orcs advanced upon him. As one swung at him with an axe, he dodged it effortlessly and swung one of his scimitars, decapitating it in an instant. Two more came at him with swords, only to have his swift swordplay separate their innards from their bodies. Another threw a spear at him, intending to hit him in the chest. He easilly knocked it aside and stabbed the orc in the throat. Taking a moment to examine the cavern, he saw that he had slain all of the guards for the moment.
"What's going on?" Selene wondered aloud.
~*Easy. I was wrong. Your Drow has come to save you afterall. The real question is, will he make it all the way, once he reaches Medaramus, the Sorcerer of the Emerald Flame?*~ Selene gasped.
"Medaramus? I thought he lived in the western canyons?" The voice snickered coldly.
~*Oh, he did, once upon a time. But no longer. The Drow will be incredibly lucky if he lives. I doubt even a Celestial Tear is enough to protect his sorry ebony hide this time.*~ it sneered. Selene closed her eyes, silently praying for Drizzt's safety.
"I care not if he rescues me. I just want him to make it out alive." she said quietly.
Drizzt had slain many orcs as he passed through the maze-like caverns of the glacier. He made to advance further, only to jump a step back when bars of green flame arose across the cavern entry, blocking his path.
"I applaud your determination, as well as your luck making it this far, Drizzt Do'Urden. However, you shall not advance any farther." Drizzt wheeled around.
"You? It cannot be! You were slain in the battle for Terosgoth!"