Chapter 23 Chapter Nineteen: Wulfgar's Choice

He is not dead.Following Dunbargo's instructions, Catti-brie and Regis spotted his brother from behind in the bushes not far from the tower, and Jadis had recovered from the knocked-out stupor.His head was bloody and it hurt.They wrapped a tight bandage around the wound and tried to make him as comfortable as possible, but it was clear that the dazed, delirious man needed a healer, and fast. Catti-brie and Regis led him back to where Dunbargo sat with his back to the tower. "He's alive," she announced to Dunbago. Tears streamed down Dunbago's face. "Thank you," he repeated over and over. "Whoever you are, thank you for saving my brother's life and my own."

"There's one alive in the tower," Bruno announced as he stepped out. "You're awake at last, eh?" he asked Dunbago, who nodded gratefully. "We also captured a dumb half-ogre alive," Bruno added. "Ugly stuff." "We've got to take this man to a healer, quick," Catti-brie said as they moved the half-conscious Jadis next to his brother with Regis. "Orkney," insisted Dunbago. "You have to take us to Orkney." Drizzt walked through the door, hearing the man's words clearly.He and Catti-brie exchanged curious glances, the name familiar to them from the stories Delee Curdy had told them about Wulfgar and the baby.

"How far is it to Orkney?" the drow asked Dunbargo. The man turned to look at Drizzt, eyes wide.He looked as if he was about to fall over. "He's gotten a lot of looks like that," Regis quipped, patting Dembago on the shoulder. "He will forgive you." "Drow?" Dunbargo asked, trying to turn to look at Regis, but couldn't seem to take his eyes off the drow. "Good drow," Regis explained. "Soon you'll like him." "Hey, an elf is an elf!" Bruno snorted. "Forgive me, good drow," stammered Dunbargo, clearly confused. It was true that the group had just saved his and his brother's lives, but he had also always known about evil. Everything about the race of dark elves caused his expression to waver.

"No apology required," Drizzt replied, "but I would appreciate an answer." Dunbargo considered the statement for a moment, then nodded repeatedly. "Orkney," he repeated. "Just a few days, if the weather stays the same." "Just a few days," Bruno said. "That's fine. We've got two men to lift, and a half-ogre to drag by our hips along the way." "I think the brute can walk," Drizzt pointed out. "It's a bit heavy to drag him." Drizzt made two stretchers out of blankets and sticks he had found nearby, and the group left shortly after.It was found that the half-ogre was not too badly wounded.This was a good thing, because while Bruenor could drag Jadis, the drow's injured shoulder made him overwhelmed with another stretcher.They sent their captives to do it, Catti-brie at their heels, and Taumriel strung an arrow on the string for a shot.

The weather did not change, and the disheveled party was bruised, but they pressed on and reached the outskirts of Orkney in less than three days. Bubbles of various colors suddenly appeared in the surrounding air, floating in all directions, and Wulfgar blinked repeatedly.He had never liked and was not very familiar with magical things, and it took the barbarian a long time to acclimatize to his new surroundings, since he was no longer in the magnificent city of Waterdeep.There was a tower of unique design, with outstretched branches that made it look like a living tree, a building that confirmed that Wulfgar was now in Luskan, just as Robillard had promised.

"I see doubt eating into your face," the mage pointed out tartly. "I thought we'd agreed—" "You agreed," interrupted Wulfgar, "agreeing to yourself." "So you don't believe this is the best path for you?" asked Robillard suspiciously. "You'd rather go back to the safety of Waterdeep and have Delly Curdy accompany you, back to the safety of the blacksmith?" Those words must have stung the barbarian, but it was Robillard's superior tone that really made Wulfgar want to strangle the scrawny man.He didn't see the mage, afraid he'd spit right in Robillard's face.He's not really scared of a fight with a powerful mage, not when it's this close, but if it does happen and it does split Robillard in half, he does have a long way to go. It's a long way to get back to Waterdeep.

"I will not pester you like this again, Wulfgar of Icewind Dale," Robillard pointed out. "Or Wulfgar of Waterdeep, or wherever you think Wulfgar is supposed to come from. I've given you more than you deserve, far more than I would normally give a fellow like you. Today I must be in a good mood and generous." Wulfgar glared at him, but it only made Robillard laugh out loud. "You're in the very middle of the city," Robillard continued. "The road outside the south gate leads to Waterdeep and Delly, and your work as a blacksmith. The road outside the north gate leads to your friends, and what I believe is your true home. I doubt so far You will still find the road to the south an easier journey than the road to the north, Wulfgar, son of Beornegar."

Wulfgar didn't answer, not even the measuring look Robillard was throwing at him.He knew which way the mage believed he should go. "I've always thought of people as cowards who take the easier path when they know they should be taking the harder path," Robillard noted. "Don't you think so?" "It's not as simple as you make it out to be," Wulfgar replied calmly. "That may well be far more difficult than I can imagine," said the mage.For the first time Wulfgar detected sympathy in his voice. "I know nothing of what you endured, the pain that weakens your heart. But I know who you were and who you are now, and I can tell you with confidence that even if you walk into Better to die in the dark than try to hide behind ashes in the blacksmith's furnace.

"That is your choice," the mage continued. "Go, wherever you go!" At the same time Robillard started waving his arms again, casting another spell. Wulfgar looked north distractedly, and by the time it was too late he noticed.He looked back and saw that bubbles of various colors had begun to fill the space around the mage, who was disappearing.A pocket appeared where the mage had been standing, with a long pheasant knife beside it.It's a rather clumsy weapon, but at least it's designed and fights like a mighty warhammer, and it does a lot of damage.He didn't even need to look to know that the bag probably contained supplies along the way.

Wulfgar was alone, as lonely as ever, standing in the middle of Luskan, and remembering that he shouldn't be here.He was a fugitive from Luskan, or had been.He could only hope that the Archons and Guards didn't have such long memories. But which way to go, the Savage hesitated.He spun around a few times.It was so messy, so terrible, Robillard's words of warning tormented him every time he turned his back. A little later, Wulfgar of Icewind Dale came out of Luskan's northern gate and trekked alone into the frigid wilds. Watched by one look of surprise and horror after another, the friends made their way through the small village of Orkney and into the castle of Lord Feringal and Lady Maillard.Dunbargo, now able to walk freely, led them in, and moved out of the way of all who had taken up arms at the sight of the half-ogre, if not for the dark elf.

At the door, Dunbargo talked them through a group of soldiers led by a gruff midget guard.The dwarf got the others into efficient action, helping Dunbargo quickly get poor and delirious Jedis to the healer, and dragging the half-ogre down the dungeon, where the brut was Take a slap. Then the fiery dwarf, Lime Woodgate, leads the five of them into a back room and introduces them to an old man with a hard-line appearance called Termegas. "Drizzt Do'Urden," Themegas repeated, nodding in agreement as he pronounced the name. "The Rangers of Ten-Towns, I've heard of them. And you, kind dwarf, aren't you the King of Mithril Hall?" "Was, and will be, if my friends here don't let me be killed," Bruno replied. "Can we see your lord and lady?" Catti-brie asked.Drizzt smiled as Regis and Bruenor looked at her curiously, wanting to catch a glimpse of the woman who bore the child that Wulfgar was raising as his own. "Ryme will take you to a place where you can get properly washed and dressed appropriately for your interview," explained Clerk Temegas. "A meeting with the Lord and Lady of Orkney will be arranged when you are ready." Bruenor just splashed some water on himself, muttering that he looked good enough to anyone, and Drizzt and Regis took a thorough shower.In another room, Catti-brie not only took a delightfully soapy bath, but also spent a long time trying on the many gorgeous gowns Lady Maillard had sent her. A moment later, the four of them were standing before Lord Feringal and Lady Maillard in the magnificent audience hall of Castle Oak.Lord Feringo was in his thirties, with curly black hair and a bushy black goatee, and Mrs. Maillard was younger, an undeniably beautiful woman with jet-black hair and creamy skin, her smile captured Lights up the entire huge room. Lord Orkney frowned almost all the time, and Maillard's smile did not fade for a moment. "I guess you want payment now," asked the third person present, a irascible, heavyset woman seated slightly back to Feringo's left, which, according to tradition in the region, indicated that she was Feringo. Ringo's sister. Behind the four travel-weary companions, Steward Themegas cleared his throat. "You think you've got enough gold to get our attention?" Bruno yelled back at her. "We don't need money," Drizzt interjected, trying to keep things calm.After all, Bruenor had just had a bath, which always made an already depressed dwarf feel worse. "We just brought Dunbago and two wounded men home, and handed over captives. But if you get any information from that brute about a pirate, please let us know, the notorious pirate called Sheila Kerry." "Of course, whatever we may learn will be shared with you," replied Mrs. Maillard, ahead of her husband, whatever he wanted to say. "And more. Whatever you need, we shall give." Drizzt didn't miss the frown of the woman next to him, and he knew it was her usual bad temper, something common in the speeches of the Lord's Lady of Orkney. "You can stay for the winter if you so choose," Maillard continued. Feringo looked at her, surprised at first, but then agreed. "We might find a vacant house in town for—" began the woman behind. "We'll put them here, in the castle, Priscilla," announced the Lady Lord of Orkney. "I don't think—" Priscilla wanted to argue. "If I hear one more word from you, it's in your own room," Maillard said, winking at her four friends. "Ferry!" Priscilla yelled. "Shut up, dear sister," Feringo said, telling his friends in an exasperated tone that he often had to evoke the same emotions as his troubled sister. "Do not disgrace us before our noblest guests - who saved three of my loyal soldiers and avenged our loss at the hands of murderous ogres." "These guests will tell stories, about faraway lands and the treasures of dragons," Maillard added, green eyes sparkling. "Only tonight, I'm afraid," Drizzt said. "Our road has certainly been rough and long. We are determined to find and punish the pirate Kree before the spring thaw--before she releases her ship safely back on the open sea and does more harm to the waters outside Luskan. Maillard's disappointment was palpable, but Feringo nodded, not seeming to care much whether they stayed or left. That night, the lord and wife of Orkney held a grand banquet to pay tribute to the heroes, and Dunbago was able to attend, and he brought the good news that his brother and another person were much better, and perhaps soon recover. They enjoyed their food (Bruno and Regis ate more than everyone else combined!), and they laughed.The companions, in their weather-beaten boots, had walked a long way, and at Mrs. Maillard's request, they told stories of distant lands. After a long while, Catti-brie was able to wink and nod to Drizzt, and lead him into a small side room where they could be alone.They sat side by side on a cushion, under a tapestry with clean lines but rich colors. "You think we should tell her about the baby?" Catti-brie asked, her hand resting on Drizzt's long, strong forearm. "I'm afraid that would only cause her pain after the initial relief," the drow replied. "Maybe someday, but not now." "Oh, you guys have to join us!" interjected Maillard, who came in through the door and stood beside the two. "King Bruenor is telling the best story yet, the story of a shadow dragon stealing his kingdom." "A story we're all too familiar with," Catti-brie replied, smiling. "But it's not polite to listen again," Drizzt said, standing up.He took Catti-brie's hand and pulled her up, and they walked past Maillard. "And do you think you'll find him?" asked the Lady Lord of Orkney as they passed. They both stopped at the same time and turned to stare at her. "Another guy on your team," Maillard explained. "The one who went with you to retake Mithril Hall, according to the dwarves." She paused, staring deeply at the two of them. "The one you call Wulfgar." Drizzt and Catti-brie stood silently for a while, the woman was obviously in a state of extreme nervousness, biting her lip, looking at the drow for a hint. "It is our desire to find him, to find him whole," Drizzt replied calmly, trying not to bring the whole room into the conversation. "I'm concerned about a problem..." "We all know that," Catti-brie put in. Mrs. Maillard stood upright, obviously struggling not to sway. "That child is strong and safe," Drizzt assured her. "What did they name her?" "Colson." Maillard sighed, trying to keep his composure.A wave of sadness showed in her green eyes, but after a moment she put on a smile. "Come on," she said quietly. "Let's go and hear the dwarf's story." "The captive will be hanged as soon as we find a rope strong enough to bear it," Lord Feringal assured the group, assembled in the great hall of Orkney Castle, early the next morning, ready to go. "The beast thinks it's a tough guy," he went on, snickering. "But it howled so much last night!" Drizzt froze for a moment, as did Catti-brie and Regis, but Bruenor just nodded. "The brute is indeed part of a large army," Feringo explained. "Maybe a pirate, though the stupid creature doesn't seem to understand the word." "Perhaps the Kree," said the drow. "Do you know where the raiding force came from?" "The coast south of the mountains," Feringal answered. "We haven't been able to get the ogre to admit it publicly, but we believe it knows something about the Valley of the Sanctuaries. Traveling there in winter will be difficult, and the roads are likely to be covered with snow." "Difficult, but worth it," Drizzt replied. Then Mrs. Maillard entered the room, as beautiful in the morning light as she had been the night before.She agreed with Drizzt and Catti-brie one by one, showing a grateful smile. Both the human woman and the drow noticed that Feringal could not hide his frown as they exchanged silent greetings.The wound was still too fresh here, and Feringo had evidently recognized Wulfgar's name from Bruenor's story last night, a realization that pained him terribly. No doubt the frustrated Orkney lords directed their wrath at the half-ogre captives. That morning, despite dark clouds gathering in the east, the four friends left Orkney Castle and the field.There are no loud horns and cheers for the departing heroes. Only Lady Maillard stood at the top of the wall between the gate towers, wrapped in a thick fur coat, watching them go. Even at this distance, Drizzt and Catti-brie could see the mixture of pain and hope in her green eyes.