Chapter 23 preamble

Whether it be a king's palace, or a warrior's fort, or a mage's tower, or a farm surrounded by stone walls or hedges, or even a small, ordinary room behind the stairs of a shabby tavern, Each of us puts a lot of effort into creating our own little kingdom.From the grandest castle to the humblest corner, from the arrogance of the aristocrat to the humble needs of the poor, there is one basic need at the heart of most of us, and that is the need to own, or at least manage. right.We want--need--to find our country, our place in a world that seems too big, too overwhelming; A sense of normal order.

So we create, draw boundaries, build walls and locks, and take up swords or pitchforks to protect our spaces. It is our desire that, when we come to the end of our chosen path, to be rewarded with peace and tranquility for all our trials.This does not mean, however, that peace can be obtained simply by shutting off a place from the outside world with a fence or a high wall.The greatest king is not necessarily at peace with the greatest army in the strongest fortress.And, ironically, the amassment of such material possessions often extinguishes any illusions of true tranquility.But on top of any physical defense there was another anxiety from which neither the king nor the poor peasant could escape.From the greatest king to the poorest beggar, an unknown fire can be kindled in the breast, and it happens to all of us.I'm not saying it's an anger too powerful to express, it's just a sense of frustration, so elusive and so pervasive that one can't even describe it.It is the source of all irrational rage against loved ones and friends, the real culprit behind bad tempers.There is no real escape from it except within one's spirit and soul.

Bruenor built his kingdom in Mithril Hall, but he didn't stay there.He chose to return to Icewind Dale, the place he called home.He did this not out of desire for wealth, but on the contrary, he gave up his entire inherited kingdom.It was only because there, in the frozen North, that Bruenor came to understand the great value of inner peace.There he had friends by his side, including myself; and, while he'd never admit it—I'm not even sure he realized it—the fact that he was back in Icewind Dale itself Simply because he wanted to go back to a place and a time that aroused his emotions, when he, me, Regis, Katie, and—yes, Wulfgar were all together.Bruno came back to find a memory.

I guess Wulfgar has found a suitable place on the side or end of the road he chooses, maybe in some hotel in Luskan or Waterdeep, maybe somewhere in the countryside where people have lent him in a barn, maybe even in a cave somewhere in the Spine of the World.Because Wulfgar didn't know what kind of place he needed in his heart now, where he should go when he was tired.If he could get back his memory of this place, if he could get past that unpleasant memory, then chances are he, too, would return to Icewind Dale to find his soul's true home. In Menzoberranzan I have seen many such small kingdoms, which we foolishly loved, and grew into mighty and powerful families, trying in vain to keep their peace from enemy attacks.And when I walked out of Menzoberranzan and wandered in the desolate Underdark, I also hoped to create my own, brand new abode.I spend my days in a cave, talking only to Guenhwyva all day, sharing space with a mushroom-like creature that barely understands me, though I can barely understand them.I ventured to Blingdenstone, the city of the deep gnomes.Maybe I could live there, but it's too close to drow cities.If I live there, I will definitely bring the fate of destruction to all the residents there.

So I came to the surface and lived with Monterey de Broch in the great forest of the mountains and called it home.Perhaps it was there that I first began to understand the value of inner peace.But then I found out that the jungle wasn't my home, because when Monterey died I found I couldn't be there anymore. Finally, I finally found where I belonged, and I found that it was not in the space around me, but in my heart. That was when I came to Icewind Dale and met Katie, Regis and Bruno.Only then did I learn how to fight back the indescribable anger in my chest.Only then did I understand what true peace and tranquility are.

Now, I carry this peace and tranquility with me, whether my friends are with me or not.My kingdom is the kingdom of spirit and soul, guarded by sincere love and friendship, and warm memory.It is better than any kingdom built on the ground, stronger than any castle walls, and most of all, it has stayed with me. All I can do is hope and pray that Wulfgar will emerge from the darkness that surrounds him and find the kingdom that resides within him. — Drizzt Do'Urden