to fight before my soldiers crush the life out of you."
Drizzt eyed her hatefully, and thought to do as she asked. Before he could begin to calculate his chances of getting the blade and quick-stepping ahead to at least score a hit or two upon Gerti's pretty face, however, a low and feral growl from the side of the giantess caught his, and her attention.
Gerti turned and Drizzt leveled his gaze, and every giant in the chamber followed suit, to see Guenhwyvar perched on a ledge barely fifteen feet from Gerti, level with her pretty face.
The giantess didn't blink and didn't move. Drizzt could see her tightening her grip on the white stone arms of her great throne. She knew the panther could get to her before she could even raise her hands in defense. She knew Guenhwyvar's claws would tear at her blue and tender skin.
Gerti swallowed hard.
"Perhaps now you are more in the mood for a bargain," Drizzt dared to say.
Gerti flicked a hateful glance his way then her gaze snapped back to the threatening cat.
"She probably won't be able to kill you," Drizzt said, his freezing jaw hurting with every word. "But oh, will anyone ever look upon Dame Gerti Orelsdottr again and marvel at her beauty? Take out her pretty eye, too, Guenhwyvar," Drizzt added. "But only one, for she must see the expressions on the faces of those who look upon her scarred visage."
"Silence!" Gerti growled at him. "Your cat might wound me, but I can have you killed in an instant."
"And so we must bargain," Drizzt said without the slightest hesitation. "For we both have much to lose."
"You wish to leave."
"I wish to sit by a fire first, that I might dry and warm myself. Drow are not so comfortable in the cold, particularly when we are wet."
Gerti snorted derisively. "My people bathe in that river, winter and summer," she boasted.
"Good! Then one of your warriors can retrieve my other scimitar. I seem to have dropped it under the ice."
"Your blade, your fire, your life, and your freedom," Gerti said. "You ask for four concessions in your bargain."
"And I offer back your eye, your ear, your lips, and your beauty," Drizzt countered.
Guenhwyvar growled, showing Gerti that the mighty panther understood every word, and was ready to strike at any time.
"Four to four," Drizzt went on. "Come now, Gerti, what have you to gain by killing me?"
"You invaded my home, drow."
"After you led the charge against mine."
"So I free you and you find your elf companion, and again you invade my home?" Gerti asked.
Drizzt nearly fell over with relief upon learning that Innovindil had indeed gotten away.
"We will come back at you only if you continue to hold that which belongs to us," said the drow.
"The winged horse."
"Does not belong as a pet in the caves of frost giants."
Gerti snorted at him again, and Guenhwyvar roared and tamped down her hind legs.
"Surrender the pegasus to me and I will be on my way," said Drizzt. "And Guenhwyvar will disappear and none of us will ever bother you again. But keep the pegasus, kill me if you will, and Guenhwyvar will have your face. And I warn you, Gerti Orelsdottr, that the elves of the Moonwood will come back for the winged horse, and the dwarves of Mithral Hall will join them. You will find no rest with your stolen pet."
"Enough!" Gerti shouted at him, and to Drizzt's surprise, the giantess started to laugh.
"Enough, Drizzt Do'Urden," she bade him in quieter tones. "But you have asked me for something more; you have upped my end of the bargain."
"In return - " Drizzt started to reply, but Gerti stopped him with an upraised hand.
"Tell me not of any more body parts your cat will allow me to keep," she said. "No, I have a better bargain in mind. I will get your blade for you and let you warm before a great fire, all the while feasting on as much food as you could possibly eat. And I will allow you to walk out of Shining White - nay, to ride out on your precious winged horse, though it pains me to allow so beautiful a creature to wander away from me. I will do all this for you, and I will do more, Drizzt Do'Urden."
The drow could hardly believe what he was hearing, and that sentiment seemed common in that chamber, where many giants stood with their mouths drooping open in amazement.
"I am not your enemy,"