Page 10 (1/2)

"What is your plan, drow?" Entreri asked

All four of the others, even Dahlia, looked to hiood question

"You escorted rym to be rid of that cursed sword," Entreri said "For that, I owe you"

Entreri looked to Dahlia, pointedly so "Or owed you," he clarified "But no more I waited where you asked, and you did not arrive"

"A great sacrifice," Dahlia said sarcastically

Afafrenfere giggled and Aaze fro back on Drizzt

"You owed ," Drizzt answered that look "Not before and not now"

"Hardly true," said Dahlia

"To be rid of Herzgo Alegni, to be rid of Charon’s Claw"--he paused and looked directly at Dahlia"--to be rid of Sylora Salht I would have undertaken them had I been alone and the opportunity had come before me"

"Drizzt the hero," Entreri e the assassin on that level

Arteer, then placed both his hands on the table and pushed himself to his feet "We do not part as ene," he said "Well lance at Dahlia, he turned and walked out of the tavern

"And where is that leaving us?" Brother Afafrenfere asked Aris

The dwarf looked at Drizzt for an answer "Which road are ye thinking to be more excitin’?" she asked "Yer own or Entreri’s? For ht or ten"

"Ten, and ten erly

Drizzt had no answer, and when they looked instead to Dahlia, the elf wo

Drizzt, too, looked at Dahlia, her crestfallen expression stabbing deep into his heart Not a stab of jealousy, however, and he found that curious

"Well we’re not to solve it here, then," Aris declared, and she too leaped up froru plate, she looked over to the bar where a band of ruffians began jostling for position

"House covers the bets," the bartender announced

"Oh, but I’ris said "Coo earn a few coins"

She turned to Drizzt and Dahlia and offered an exaggerated wink "Don’t look likeher rather small and scrawny coainst hih

"We’ll be about, if ye find a road worth walkin’!" she said She glanced back at the bar, where two large in their battle, and where others passed coins and shouted their odds and bets

"Ye ht just find us in the ris offered and started away, Afafrenfere in tow As they left, Drizzt and Dahlia heard the dwarf remark softly to her monk companion, "Now don’t ye drop any o’ them too quick Keep the next one hopin’ that he can beat ye, that we ht be playin’ it out for all it’s worth"

Dahlia’s chuckle turned Drizzt back to her

"We see co, at least" She iave Drizzt a serious look "What is our road?"

"Right now? To find our vaer, you mean"

"That, too"

"And then?"

Drizzt wore a pensive look as he sincerely tried to sort out that very thing

"Find an answer quickly or we’re to lose three companions," Dahlia reone"

Drizzt considered that, but shook his head The allure of the jeweled dagger would keep Entreri beside hier Despite Entreri’s parting words and obvious anger, Drizzt knew that he could get theas they started that journey soon

"You wish to keep the toward the er," she replied She looked past hi to brew, and she nodded for him to turn around