Page 8 (1/2)
Effron nearly fell over with relief, and shock
"But I tell you this in strictest confidence, and on penalty of a most horrible death should you ever reveal a word of it," Draygo Quick said "Drizzt Do’Urden is a curiosity, and perhapsothers ht well provide us with clues to important events that will affect the whole of the empire, and indeed, of the Shadowfell itself I offer you onewarlock Abandon your quest to find your revenge against Dahlia at this time--perhaps in the future, if she separates fro her But not now The issue before us is too iave me permission to hunt her," Effron quietly protested
"I diso Quick replied without hesitation "And now I have more information, and so I rescind that dismissal You are ratitude that I have forgiven you"
Effron wanted to scream at him, or just yell out in unfocused frustration He wanted to deny the old wretch and deo Quick’s residence
He wanted to, but he hadn’t the heart or the courage In that event, he had little doubt that Draygo Quick would obliterate hi that sense of dread, Draygo Quick stared at hilare, and Effron bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Master"
The warlock chuckled victoriously, each wheezing laughEffron "Come back and to your work," he said "You haveprofoundly, but then Draygo Quick grabbed hihly by the chin and forced Effron to look him directly in the eye--and hoild those eyes looked to Effron!
"Understand ni: If you harer in any way, I will completely and utterly destroy you, and I will do so in such ame for your death for many tendays before I finally allow it"
Effron didn’t begin to try to pull away, as painful as Draygo Quick’s surprisingly strong grip proved, for he could well iht do to make him hurt a lot worse
"This is too important for petty personal issues," the old warlock reiterated "You do understand reed?"
"Yes, Master," Effron squeaked
Draygo Quick let hiain, but when Effron started out beside him, the old warlock held out his arm and pushed Effron back
Two steps behind
Chapter 3: Moonlight
DRIZZT HELD THE STATUETTE UP BEFORE HIS EYES, STARING AT IT WITH trepidation He hadn’t wanted to dis that her arrival had been an anogard to him, and she had needed rest
The sun had not yet risen outside theof his roo after sundown the previous day
But despite the short tiain
"Guenhwyvar," he whispered
On the bed behind him, Dahlia stirred but did not awaken
"Guenhwyvar"
Even in the darkened roo around hi In the span a few heartbeats, though it seeht beside hi, overjoyed He needed her now, perhaps more than at any time since he’d walked with her out of Menzoberranzan those ed her closer, his head against her flank
He noted her ragged breathing
Too soon, he realized, and he silently berated hione," he whispered into her ear "I will call you again soon"
The cat obeyed, pacing in a circle and di at all
Drizzt started for the bed where Dahlia lay, but changed his mind and went to theinstead He took a seat and looked out over the city of Neverwinter, still a shadohat it had been But the settlers were industrious and determined to rebuild Neverwinter from the ashes of the cataclysht, deterlanced at Dahlia as he considered that Would she be a part of that? She was an elf, and young, and surely would outlive Drizzt unless an enemy’s blade cut her down Would she walk beside Drizzt for the rest of his days?
He couldn’t know
He turned back to the darkened city and thought of his other three coht of the four friends he once traveled beside
Would any of this group measure up to the standards, the character, of any of the Co the drow Surely in terroup around him had proven their capabilities Were these four to battle the previous four co in doubt
But that hardly mattered, Drizzt understood, for the more important measureard …