Chapter 19 Chapter Fifteen Drinking with the Depressed Dwarf

"I should have known earlier, instead of letting you two escape by yourselves," a violent voice yelled at Drizzt and Catti-brie as they walked into Luskan's Cutlass tavern.Bruno and Regis sat at the bar, Arum.Opposite Gard Pike, the two still look a bit haggard from the harrowing journey they've just had. "I didn't expect you to come out," Drizzt pointed out, pulling a chair over to his friends. "It's the end of the season now." "Later than you think," Regis muttered, and Drizzt and Catti-brie both turned to Bruenor for an explanation.

"Hey, a little storm, nothing to worry about," growled the dwarf. "A little bit for a mountain giant," Regis muttered quietly, and Bruenor snorted. "Pour some wine for my friend and my daughter," Bruno beckoned to Arum, who was already doing it.When the wine was served, Arum nodded to the two of them and walked away. The expression of the red-bearded dwarf immediately became very serious. "So, where is my son?" he asked. "Sailing with Deudermont on the Sea Sprite, as far as we know," Catti-brie answered. "Not here at the pier," Regis pointed out.

"Not in Waterdeep either, though they might stop there before winter," Drizzt explained. "That's Captain Deudermont's usual practice, to fill the ship with reserves for the coming cold season." "Then they probably sailed south," Catti-brie added. "No return to Waterdeep until spring." Bruenor snorted again, but with a swig of ale in his mouth, he spat half of it on Regis. "So what are you doing here?" he asked. "If my son is going to Waterdeep soon and won't be back for half a year, why don't you keep an eye out for his arrival?"

"We left words," Drizzt explained. "Leave a message?" the dwarf repeated suspiciously. "What would that be like? Hello? Nice to meet you? Keep warm in winter? You damn stupid elf, I still expect you to bring my son back to us." "That's complicated," Drizzt replied. Only then did Catti-brie notice Arum.Gard Parker and Joss Padel approached quietly and slowly, stretching their ears towards the four friends.She didn't reprimand them, however, because she understood their concern about all this. "We found Delly," he said, taking turns gazing at the two. "And that kid, Colson."

"How's my Delly doing?" Arum asked, and Catti-brie didn't miss Joss Padel's expression, biting his lip expectantly.Catti-brie realized that the man probably liked the girl. "She's fine, and so is the little girl," Drizzt put in. "Although we arrived just in time to find them in danger." Hearing these ominous words, all four listeners stared at him. "The pirate Sheila Kree, or so we believe it was," Drizzt explained. "For some reason that I don't know yet, it's audacious to send a raiding group to Waterdeep City."

"To find my son?" Bruno asked. "Or trying to scare off Deudermont, who's been chasing her all season long," said Arum, who was quite adept at such things, having heard plenty of rumors from sailors who frequented the tavern. "It could be one of the reasons, or it could be the other, so we're back to find out which," Drizzt responded. "We're not even sure Sea Sprite is still afloat, are we?" Regis asked. The halfling's eyes widened and he bit his lip as soon as the words came out of his mouth, his flinching made it clear that he realized that the possibility of such a ship being destroyed would weigh on Bruenor's shoulders. Served a very heavy weight, but it was too late.

Still, it was a question, one that Drizzt and Catti-brie had planned to ask Arum long before they arrived in Luskan.Both looked at the tavern owner questioningly. "Never heard of it, no," Arum replied. "But if Sheila Kree beat Sea Sprite, it might be months before we know it here. However, I can't believe she beat Sea Sprite. Rumor on the docks says no one will follow in open water Sea Spear fights." "See what you can find, I beg you," Drizzt said to him. The burly tavernkeeper nodded and gestured to Joss to investigate as well. "I highly doubt that Sheila Kree has ever been near the Sea Sprite," Drizzt repeated confidently, for Bruenor's sake. "If she had been, the raid on Captain Deudermont's house was likely only the remnants of her wiped out gang, seeking a final blow in revenge for Sheila's ship wrecked and crew killed. I sailed with Captain Deudermont After five years, I can tell you that I haven't encountered a ship that can single out the Sea Spirit."

"Or her mage, Robillard," Catti-brie added. Bruenor just continued to stare hard at the two, the dwarf clearly desperate for his lost son. "So we have to wait?" he asked after a while.It was clear from his tone that he wasn't thrilled by the prospect. "Winter keeps Sea Sprite from pursuing Sheila Kree's ship," Drizzt explained, lowering his voice so only his companions could hear. "Also, it's likely to keep Sheila Kree from being out on cold water this season. She's going to have to dock somewhere." This seemed to appease Bruno a bit. "We'll find her, then," he said firmly. "And take back my warhammer."

"Besides, there is hope that Wulfgar will join us," Catti-brie added. "He may hold the Fang of Aegis again. He may find out where he belongs, where the hammer belongs." Bruno raised his glass of ale and toasted the hopeful point of view, and everyone else joined him, each understanding that the scenario Catti-brie spoke of was the most optimistic, a dark one. More paths may well be waiting for them all. In the ensuing discussion, the partners decided to spend the next few days searching the areas directly adjacent to Luskan, including those docks.Arum and Jos track down where Sea Sprite and Sheila Kree might be, and he joins them once they can find Morik the Rogue.If Wulfgar got the news in Waterdeep, and he wanted to find them, then perhaps this plan would give him a chance.It's also possible that the Sea Sprite will pass by Luskan on its way to Waterdeep.Drizzt knew that if that was the case, it would be soon, as the season was coming to an end.

Drizzt ordered a round of drinks for all four, then stopped them before they could start drinking.He raised his own glass to toast again, as a reaffirmation of Bruno's earlier one. "The news is brighter than we expected when we first left Ten-Towns," he reminded them all. "From what everyone has said, our friend is alive and with kind, trustworthy companions." "Cheers to Wulfgar!" Regis said when Drizzt stopped. "To Delly Curty and Colson too," Catti-brie added, smiling at Bruno and, more definitely, at Drizzt. "Our friend has found a good wife, and a child will grow strong under Wulfgar's watchful eye."

"I think he learned how to raise a son from a master," Drizzt pointed out, grinning at Bruenor. "Too bad that man doesn't know that much about raising a daughter," Catti-brie added, but she waited precisely until Bruno began to swallow his ale before laughing. As expected, the dwarf spat out the wine, and Regis was drenched again. The thief Morik opened the door of his apartment and saw a small, dark-haired woman waiting for him, with a curious but not angry expression on his face. "Perhaps you're at the wrong door," Morik suggested gracefully, his black eyes sizing up the woman with more than a little interest.She was beautiful, and held herself in perfect poses, with a gleam of intelligence that Morik had always found attractive. "Many people would think that going to Morik the Rogue is the wrong door," the woman replied. "But no, that's exactly where I'm going." She smiled coquettishly, looking at Morik as intently as he was looking at her. "You've matured a lot," she said. It is implied that this charming creature knew Morik early on, which piqued the rogue's curiosity.He stared at her hard, trying to recognize her. "It might help a little if I cast a spell to shake the bed or make colored lights dance around us while we make love," the woman pointed out. "Bellany!" Morik called out suddenly. "Bellany Tundash! How many years have passed?" In fact, Morik hadn't seen a witch in years, not since she had been a junior apprentice at Sorcerer's Tower.She is a crazy guy!Sneaked out from the Mages Guild nearly every night to have fun in the wilder streets of Luskan.Like many beautiful women who come out to have fun, there were several times when Bellany inevitably groped around Morik, and Morik's bed. A few wondrous encounters, Morik recalled. "Not many years, Morik," Bellany replied. "I thought I was more important to you than I am." She pouted slightly, her lips curled up, as if to soften Morik's knees. "I believed you would recognize me immediately and take me into your arms and kiss me passionately." "A scene I had to correct!" said Morik, stepping forward with arms outstretched, a look of joy and eagerness on his face. Catti-brie and Regis both went to bed early that night, but Drizzt stayed on in the tavern with Bruenor, who he suspected the dwarf needed to talk about. "When these things are settled, you and I must go to Waterdeep," the drow pointed out. "It's good for my mood to hear Colson talk about her grandpa." "The child can talk?" Bruno asked. "No, not yet," Drizzt replied with a smile. "But it will be soon." Bruno just nodded, seemingly not interested at all. "She's got a good mother," Drizzt said after a while. "And we know his father's character. Colson will be a good girl." "Colson," Bruno murmured, downing half of his lager. "Stupid name." "It's Elvish," Drizzt explained. "There are two meanings, and it seems perfectly appropriate. 'Cole' means 'not,' and 'Sen' is son, so the name literally translates as 'not son', or, 'daughter'. However together in Together, the name Colson means 'from the dark city.' Based on Delly Curdy's story of how Wulfgar acquired the child, it seems to me a fitting name." Bruno exhaled again and finished the wine in his glass. "I thought you'd be thrilled to hear that," the drow ventured. "Find a wayward child and love it as your own. You know the joy of it better than anyone." "Hi," Bruno snorted. "And I doubt Wulfgar will bear you a grandson himself anytime soon," Drizzt pointed out, pushing another mug of ale in front of Bruenor. "Grandson?" repeated Bruenor suspiciously, turning from his chair to face the drow directly. "Are you assuming Wulfgar is my own son?" "He is." "Is he?" Bruno asked. "Based on what he did to Catti-brie, do you think being apart for a few years can mend my heart?" The dwarf snorted again, waved his hands in disgust, and then turned back to the bar, shaking under him Sipping a new glass of wine, he murmured, "Maybe I want to find him so I can punch him in the mouth for the way he treated my daughter." "Your concerns are clear and real," Drizzt pointed out. "You have forgiven Wulfgar, whether you admit it or not." "Me too," Drizzt added quickly, as the dwarf turned back to face him, his eyes narrowed menacingly. "Catti-brie too. Wulfgar's in a dark place, but from all I've heard, it seems he's already beginning to climb back toward the light." Those words softened Bruno's expression a little, and this time, the grunt he followed was less certain. "You'll like Colson," Drizzt said with a smile. "And Delly Curty." "Colson," Bruno repeated, listening for the name as he said it.He looked at Drizzt, shaking his head, but if he was trying to keep saying he disagreed, he'd failed miserably. "So now I have a granddaughter from a son who wasn't my own, and this daughter wasn't his own," Bruenor said after a moment, as he and Drizzt had each sipped their drinks and mused for a moment. "You'd think one of us would have figured out that half the fun is living the damn little one!" "Will Bruenor have a son of his own someday?" Drizzt asked. "A dwarf child?" The dwarf turned, eyeing Drizzt suspiciously, but considered the words for a moment, then shrugged. "I just maybe," he said.He looked back at his ale, Drizzt noticed, and his face grew more serious, and a little sad. "I'm not a young man, you know, elf?" he asked. "Witnessing the centuries come and go, remembering the years when Catti-brie and Wulfgar's parents' parents' parents' parents hadn't felt the warmth of their first dawn. And I feel old Don't doubt it! I feel old in my bones." "Centuries of beating stone will do you that," Drizzt said flatly, but his ease couldn't penetrate the dwarf's emotions at the moment. "And I've watched my daughter grow up completely, and so does my son, and now he's got a little one..." Bruno trailed off, sighed deeply, and drained the rest of the glass. After finishing the drink, he turned to face Drizzt stiffly. "That little guy will grow old and die, and I'll still be here with my aching bones." Drizzt understood him because, being a long-lived being, he saw Bruno's embarrassment just as clearly.When elves, whether light or dark, or dwarves, make friends with short-lived races—humans, halflings, and gnomes—it is to be expected that they will watch their friends grow old and die.Drizzt knew, whether they wanted to admit it or not, that one of the reasons elves and dwarves repelled other races was precisely because they wanted to protect themselves from their feelings. "I guess that's why we should stick to our kind, er, elves?" Bruenor finished, looking cunningly at Drizzt out of the corner of his eye. Drizzt's expression changed from sympathy to curiosity.Had Bruno been warning him to stay away from Catti-brie?This made the drow lose their vigilance, really!And made him lean back in his chair, staring hard at Bruno.He finally learned how he really felt about Catti-brie, only for the obstacle of a dwarf?Or, was Bruno right and Drizzt was a fool? It took a long time for the drow to get himself together and collect his thoughts. "Perhaps those of us who shy away from pain will never understand the pleasures that can cause deep pain," Drizzt said finally. "most--" "Best what?" Bruno interrupted him. "Loving one of them? Marrying one, elf?" Drizzt still didn't understand what Bruenor was trying to say.He's telling Drizzt to back off?Would a drow be called a fool for even imagining falling in love with Catti-brie? But then, Bruno spread his hands. "Yeah, falling in love with one of them," he said, snorting mockingly, but Drizzt realized that the mocking was aimed at himself as well. "Maybe raise one of them as your own. Oh, maybe more than one!" Bruenor glanced at Drizzt, a toothy smile peeking from behind a bright red beard.He raised his glass to Drizzt. "For both of us, then, Elf!" he said in a buzzing voice. "A pair of fools, but a smiling fool!" Drizzt happily clinked his own cup in response.He knew now that Bruenor wasn't trying cryptically (in a dwarven way) to hold him back, but simply to make sure Drizzt understood the depths of his heart. They continue to drink.Bruenor drained glass after glass, but Drizzt just shook the glass of wonderful wine. It was a long time before someone spoke again, and it was Bruno, "Hey Elf, my next grandson won't be dappled?" . "As long as he doesn't have a red beard," Drizzt shot back without missing a beat. "I hear you traveled with a great barbarian warrior named Wulfgar," Bellany said to Morik.The rogue finally awoke long after dawn the next day. "Wulfgar?" Morik repeated, rubbing the sleepiness out of his black eyes and running his fingers through his tangled black hair. "I haven't seen Wulfgar in months." He didn't understand what Bellany's careful observation of him meant. "I think he went south, to find Deudermont," Morik continued, eyeing Bellany curiously. "Am I not man enough for you?" he asked. The black-haired witch smiled noncommittally, deliberately not answering the thief's question. "I was just asking for a friend," she said. Morik's laugh was very rude. "You two, eh?" he asked. "Am I not man enough?" With a deep sigh, Bellany rolled to the side of the bed, gathered the quilts around her, and pulled them away as she got up. Only then did Morik notice the strange mark on her bare back shoulder. "So you haven't spoken to Wulfgar in months?" the woman asked, walking towards her clothes. "why do you ask?" The suspicious nature of the question made the witch turn and stare at Morik, who was still leaning on the bed, propped up on one elbow, on his side. "A friend wished to know him," Bellany said rather curtly. "It seems that many people suddenly want to ask about him," the rogue pointed out.He lay on his back and threw one arm over his eyes. "Like a dark elf?" Bellany asked. Morik peered at her from under his arm, his expression answering the question clearly. His eyes widened when the witch lifted her robes from the chair and pulled out a thin black wand from underneath.Bellany didn't point it at him, but the threat was clear. "Get dressed and hurry up," Bellany said. "My mistress wants to talk to you." "Your mistress?" "I don't have time to explain anything right now," Bellany replied. "We have a long way to go. Although I have spells to speed us up along the way, we'd better start from Luskan within an hour." Morik treated her mockingly. "Where are you going?" he asked. "I have no plans to leave..." His voice trailed off as Bellany walked back to the bed, leaning provocatively on the edge of the bed with one knee, lowering her face, pointing her fingers to her pursed lips. "We have two ways of solving this problem, Morik," she explained quietly and flatly—poor rogue's fresh fright, too flat for his sensitive nature. "One that will be quite pleasant to you, I promise, and vouch for your safe return to Luskan, and your friends here will no doubt speak of your happy and enduring smile." Morik stared at the charming woman for a moment. "Don't bother telling me another way," he agreed. "Arum Gardepike didn't see him," Catti-brie reported, "nor did any of the other regulars at the Cutlass—and they saw Morik the Thief almost every day." Drizzt considered the words carefully.Of course, it's possible that Morik's absence—he wasn't in his apartment, nor at his usual haunts—was nothing more than coincidence.A man like Morik was always on the move, from one deal to the next, from one theft to the next. But more than a day had passed since the four friends had started looking for the thief, and using every resource at their disposal, including Luskan's city guard, there was still no sign of the man.Given what had been done to Sheila Kree's henchmen in Waterdeep, and since Morik was known to have known Wulfgar, Drizzt was not pleased at his disappearance. "Did you send word to Sorcerer's Tower?" Drizzt asked Regis. "That's robbery for a mage," the halfling replied. "But yes, as soon as they can find out where the Sea Sprite mage Robillard is, they'll send word to him. It cost more than half a sack of gold to convince them to do the job." "I gave you a whole bag to pay for this mission," Bruno pointed out flatly. "Even with my ruby ​​pendant, it took more than half a bag of gold to convince them to do the job," Regis declared. Bruno just looked down and shook his head. "Well, that means you keep nearly half a bag of my gold safe, glutton," he deliberately stated openly in front of witnesses. "Did the mages say anything about the fate of the Sea Sprite?" Catti-brie asked. "Do they know if she's still afloat?" "They said they saw nothing that suggested anything unusual," Regis replied. "They have points of contact at various docks, including a lot of pirates. If Sea Sprite goes down anywhere near Luskan, the celebrations will start right away, and it'll be very rowdy." To tell the truth, it wasn't very certain, but the other three took it as great hope. "That brings us back to Morik," Drizzt said. "If the pirate Kree tries to strike first, to drive away Deudermont and Wulfgar, then maybe Morik will be a target." "What connection does Deudermont have with this thief?" Catti-brie asked, a perfectly logical question, and Drizzt was clearly stumped. "Maybe Morik is allied with Sheila Kree," Regis deduced. "An informer?" Before the halfling finished speaking, Drizzt was shaking his head.Based on his brief meeting with Morik, he didn't think the man would do such a thing.He had to admit, however, that Morik's loyalty didn't seem hard to buy. "What do we know about the Kree?" the drow asked. "We know she's not around here," Bruno replied impatiently. "And we know we're wasting our time here, that's it!" "Exactly," Catti-brie agreed. "But it's late autumn in the north," Regis put in. "Perhaps we should start our search south." "All indications are that Sheila Kree is docking in the north," Drizzt quickly responded. "The rumors we've heard from Morik and Juce Padel say she's out there somewhere." "There are many shores between here and the Iceshifting Sea," Bruno put in. "So we should wait?" Regis said quickly. "So we should get going!" retorted Bruenor, just as quickly, and since both Drizzt and Catti-brie agreed with the dwarf's reasoning, the four friends left Luskan later that day, A few hours after Rick and Bellany left the city.But the latter, with their many magical enhancements, and knowing where they were going, were quickly ahead.