Chapter 16 preamble

I stared at the road behind me, including the land road I had traveled, and the water road I passed by fast boat from Waterdeep City to Southland. This road made the distance between the four of us and the friends we left behind become more and more long.friend?During those long, hard days, each of us thought many times about the meaning of the word "friend" and the responsibilities it symbolized.We left Wulfgar in some uncivilized place like the Spine of the World, and now we don't know if he's okay, not even if he's alive or dead.Could true friends abandon each other so much?Will a true friend leave the other alone to tread a path fraught with trouble and danger?

I often think about the meaning of that word.friend.That seems like a very simple thing, but sometimes, it becomes so complicated.While I understand and admit that Wulfgar should go his own way, should I hold him back?Or should I go with him?Or should all four of us follow him quietly, watching his every move? I don't think so, although I admit I don't really know the answer.There is a fine line between the friendship of friends and the care of parents for their children, and when crossed the line is often disastrous.Parents who try so hard to be true friends with their children almost certainly sacrifice their own authority, and, while the parents may be willing to lose their position of dominance, they inadvertently deprive their children of necessary guidance, and more. The important thing is that the child will lose the sense of security that the parents should have given him.Conversely, a friend who also acts as a parent forgets the most important factor in friendship: respect.

For respect is the first principle of friendship, the beacon that guides the direction of all true friendship.Moreover, trust comes from respect. So all four of us are praying for Wulfgar, and sincerely looking forward to seeing him again.Although we will often look back and hope to know his whereabouts, we will always stick to our understanding of friendship, trust, and respect.Although we didn't want it to be like this, we accepted the reality of the breakup. No doubt Wulfgar's trials have been mine in many ways too, but I know now that of all the friendships I've had, it wasn't the one with the barbarian that changed the most—anyway. , and I don't want to, because I know that the depth and course of our relationship must be determined by Wulfgar—it's my relationship with Katie.It's no secret that we love each other dearly.We both knew it, and anyone who watched us could see it (and I suspect it might have contributed to Wulfgar's decision), but the love The nature is still unknown to me and Katie.In many ways, she and I have become like brother and sister, and there is no doubt that I am much closer to her than to my biological brothers and sisters!Although we have only been together for a few years, we clearly know that the other person will always be by our side.I can die for her and she can die for me.There will be no hesitation or doubt.Speaking of which, there is no other person in the whole world who can do this, not even Bruno, Wulfgar, Regis; not even Zach Nafein, or anyone else I know.There is no one who can sit next to me to watch the sunrise and know that this sight always makes my heart shake; no one can fight with me and coordinate my actions as perfectly as she does; no one The second person can know all the thoughts in my heart better than she can, and I don't even have to say a word.

But what does all of this mean? Indeed, Katie had a natural attraction for me.She is a combination of innocence and a touch of fun naughtiness.The outward display of all her emotions taught me that Katie had the power to make all potential enemies tremble with fear and all potential admirers tremble with foreboding.I'm sure she feels the same way about me.Even so, we all know the dangers of going on.No one has ever heard of a human-drow romance before, so the danger is far greater than any physical enemy we might face.I'm a young drow with centuries to live; she's a human, young though she is, with only a few decades left to live.Of course, even just being a traveling companion and friend with a drow is enough to make Katie's life seem extraordinarily colorful; if we go a step further, what kind of troubles will it cause her?And our children - if we get that far -

How should we face this world?Is there any place in this world that can accept them? Still, when I look at her, I know how I feel, and trust that I understand how she feels.At the time, it seemed like a very simple thing, but, again, it became so complicated. — Drizzt Do'Urden