Chapter 6 Chapter 4 Glory City

They were back on the road before dawn, heading towards the western shore and Waterdeep.Since Marco and Agatha had delayed them, Drizzt and Wulfgar concentrated on their journey now, knowing what dangers their halfling friends would be in if the rescue failed.Their horses were equipped with Marco's magic horseshoes, and they walked like flying.All landscapes seem to them like a blur rolling back. They didn't rest until dawn, and they didn't stop to eat when the sun was high above their heads. "We'll get all the rest we need when we're aboard the southbound ship," Drizzt said to Wulfgar.

The Savage was determined to get Regis out, so no words of encouragement were needed. The night came again, and the clacking of horseshoes continued uninterrupted.Then, as the next day's sun rose behind them, a salty breeze filled the air, and the towers of the Splendid City of Waterdeep loomed on the western horizon.The two stopped on a high cliff on the eastern boundary of the huge and amazing residential area.If Wulfgar had been a little taken aback earlier that year when he had looked at Luskan five hundred miles away, he was absolutely dumbfounded now.Because Waterdeep, the treasure of the North, is the largest port in the entire Forgotten Kingdom, ten times the size of Luskan.Even in the high walls, it stretched lazily and endlessly to the shore, with many spiers, high into the mist of the sea, blocking the sight of both of them.

"How many people will live here?" Wulfgar sighed to Drizzt. "There are a hundred times the population of your tribe within the walls," the dark elf explained, noticing that Wulfgar was beginning to worry.Cities were beyond the young man's experience; the last time he had entered Luskan, it had ended in disaster.But this time it was Waterdeep City, with ten times the population, ten times the interesting things, and ten times the troubles. Wulfgar stepped back a little, and Drizzt had no choice but to trust the young warrior.The Dark Elf himself was torn, and he had his own personal battles to fight.He took the mask out of his fanny pack with extreme caution.

Wulfgar realized that it was determination that had guided the drow's hesitant actions, and he looked at his friend with sincere pity.He wondered if he could be so brave, even if Regis' life depended on his actions. Drizzt turned this seemingly ordinary mask over and over in his hands, he had some doubts about how strong its magic was.He could feel that it was not ordinary; its power made his hands numb.Does it just take away his looks?Or would it take away his entire identity?He'd heard things like that, people who expected a mask to be a good thing, only to find that once they put it on they could never take it off.

"Perhaps they will accept you as you are," Wulfgar suggested hopefully. Drizzt sighed, then smiled, making up his mind. "Impossible," he replied. "The soldiers of Waterdeep City will not let a dark elf go in, and no captain will help to send me to the south." Without any further hesitation, he put on the mask. Nothing happened for a while at first, and Drizzt began to wonder if his worries were just fantasies, if the legends about the mask were just lies. "Nothing happened," he said a few seconds later with a not-so-easy laugh, but a hint of relief in his voice. "It's no use—" Drizzt couldn't go on when he noticed Wulfgar's surprised expression.

Wulfgar fumbled in his pack and found a shiny metal mug. "Look." He handed the power to Drizzt as a mirror. Drizzt took the cup tremblingly—he trembled more when he saw that his hands were no longer black, and he held the cup up to his face.Though the reflected image was blurry in the morning light, and even blurrier to the dark elf's night-fit eyes, there was no way Drizzt could have misread what he was seeing.His features remained the same, but his dark skin now glowed with the golden light of the surface elves; his hair, once all white, had a golden sheen that shone so brightly that it seemed to catch the sun's rays.

Only Drizzt's eyes remained the same, two pools of deep and brilliant lavender.No magic could hide the light, and Drizzt felt relieved that at least the image of his inner soul hadn't been changed. But he still didn't know how to face such a big change.He looked at Wulfgar in some embarrassment, for affirmation. Wulfgar's expression became a little unhappy. "Looks like another handsome elf warrior by any standard I know," he answered Drizzt's inquiring glance. "When you walk by, there are bound to be one or two girls blushing and looking away." Drizzt looked at the ground, trying to hide his unease at the comment.

"But I don't like it," Wulfgar continued earnestly. "Not at all." Drizzt looked back at him uncomfortably, almost to the point of shyness. "I don't like the way others see you, and the torment you suffer inside." Wulfgar continued, obviously in a distraught mood. "I am a warrior who has fought giants and dragons without fear. But if I had to fight Drizzt Do'Urden, I might turn pale with fear. Remember who you are, noble ranger." A smile crept across Drizzt's face. "Thank you, my friend," he said. "Of all the challenges I've ever faced, this one is perhaps the greatest trial."

"I wish you didn't have that," Wulfgar said. "Me too," said a voice behind them.They turned to see a middle-aged man, muscular and tall, walking towards them.He seemed ordinary, wearing simple clothing and a carefully trimmed black beard.His hair was also black, but with silver spots on the sides. "Greetings, Wulfgar and Drizzt Do'Urden," he said, bowing gracefully. "I am Kelban, Marco's friend. The noblest of the House Harbells has enjoined me to watch over your arrival." "Are you a wizard?" Wulfgar asked, not amplifying his thoughts on purpose .

Kerban shrugged. "I'm a forest manager," he replied, "and I love to draw, but I must say I'm not very good at drawing." Drizzt observed Kerban, not quite convinced by either of his answers.There was an aristocratic aura about this man, a kind of special etiquette and self-confidence that only a lord would have.From Drizzt's point of view, he was at least on an equal footing with Mal.If the man really liked to draw, Drizzt would have no doubt that he was one of the most proficient in the art in the North. "Are you going to be our guide for Waterdeep?"

"I'm going to be the guide to take you to another guide," Kerban replied. "I know your mission and needs. It is not easy to find a boat to take you at such a late hour, unless you know where to ask. Go ahead, go to the south gate, we will find you there A man who knows these things." They found their steed a short distance away, and led them by a short cut to the south. They passed the cliffs that protected the east of the city, the highest point being at least a hundred feet high.Where the cliff gradually descended to the level of the sea, they found another wall.There Kerban turned his back on the city, pointing out an overgrown hill topped only by a willow tree. As they rushed up the hill, a small figure jumped from a tree, his dark eyes glancing around nervously.It could be seen from his clothes that he didn't look like a poor man, and when they approached, the man's uneasiness made Drizzt even more suspicious, thinking that Kerban was not as simple as he himself introduced. "Ah, Oppa, it's very kind of you to come." Kerban said casually.Drizzt and Wulfgar exchanged knowing smiles; the man had no choice in coming or not. "Hello," Opa said quickly, hoping to wrap things up quickly and perfunctorily. "I've booked a place on the boat. Do you have money to pay?" "When are you leaving?" Kelban asked. "Aboard in a week," Oppa replied. "The Coast Dancer departs in a week." " Kirban did not miss the worried look that Drizzt exchanged with Wulfgar. “Too long,” he tells Oppa. "Every sailor in port owes you a debt. My friend cannot wait." “Scheduling also takes time,” Oppa countered, his voice rising.But then, as if he suddenly remembered who was talking to him, he drew back and looked at the ground. "Too long," Kerban said again quietly. Oppa touched his cheek, trying to find a solution. "Deudermont," he said, looking at Kerban hopefully. "Captain Deudermont takes the Sea Sprite tonight. You won't find a man with more integrity than him, but I don't know how far south he'll sail this time. The price will be high." "Ah," Kerban smiled, "but don't be afraid, my little friend. I can pay you something today." Oppa looks at him suspiciously. "You said you would pay me gold." "Better than gold," Kerban replied. "It took only three days for my friends to get here from Long Saddle, but their horses didn't break a sweat!" "You want to give me a horse?" Oppa asked back. "No, not a horse," Kerban said. "It's a horseshoe. A horseshoe that lets a horse fly like the wind!" "I'm in business with sailors," Opa protested with as much courage as he dared. "What use are those horseshoes to me?" "Calm down, calm down, Opa," Opa said softly, with a wink. "Remember about your brother? You must find some way to exchange the magic horseshoe for money, I know." Oppa takes a deep breath, blowing away all his anger.Kerban had clearly cornered him. "Tell these two to the mermaid's arm," he said. "I'll see what I can do," he said, turning and walking down the hill toward the south gate. "You handle him with ease," Drizzt remarked. "I have all the advantages," Kerban replied. "Oppa's brothers are a prominent family in the city. Sometimes this matter is a great benefit to Oppa. But sometimes it is also a hindrance, because he has to be careful not to bring troubles of public affairs to his family. " "But too much has been said about this," Kerban continued. "Leave me your horses. Now set off for the South Gate. The guards will show you how to get to Dock Street, where you can easily find the Mermaid's Arm." "You're not coming with us?" Wulfgar asked, slipping from the saddle. "I have other things to attend to," Kerban explained. "It's better for you to go by yourselves. You will be safe; Opa dare not disobey me. I also know Captain Deudermont. He is a very frank sea-seeker. Strangers are common in Waterdeep City, especially in the dock area." "But a stranger walking with the painter Kerban will attract attention." Drizzt reasoned with humorous sarcasm. Kerban laughed, but didn't answer. Drizzt also jumped from the saddle. "Are these horses going to be sent back to Chang'an Town?" "Of course." "We are all grateful to you, Kerban," Drizzt said. "You've helped us a lot." Drizzt thought for a moment, then glanced at the horse. "You must know that the mana Marco put on these horseshoes is not sustainable. Oppa will not profit from this transaction." "It's fair," Kerban said with a laugh. "That man did a lot of scam business, I assure you. Maybe this experience will teach him humility and let him know that what he's doing is wrong." "Perhaps," Drizzt said, bowing, and he and Wulfgar started down the hill. "Be careful at all times, but don't make a show," Kerban called after them. "It's not that there are no rogues on the pier, but the vigilantes are always there to keep order. A lot of newcomers spend their first night in the dungeon!" But the same thing, he remembered the time when he was walking on the long road of adventure many years ago. "He scared the man half to death," Wulfgar said to Drizzt when the two were out of Kirban's hearing range. "Is he really just a painter?" "More like a very strong wizard," Drizzt replied. "We owe another debt to Marco, who used his influence to make things easier for us along the way. Heed my words: 'A painter can't hold back someone like Oppa!'" Wulfgar looked back at the hill, but Kirban and the horse were gone.Even with his limited knowledge of magic, he could see that nothing but magic would have caused Kerban and the three horses to move out of that area so quickly.He smiled and shook his head, marveling again at the eccentric characters the wide world kept showing him.    Drizzt and Wulfgar walked in the direction the guard at the South Gate had told them, and soon they were wandering the Dock Street, a long alleyway that ran through the entire Deepwater Harbor to the south of the city.The smell of fish and salt filled their nostrils, seagulls were crying above their heads, sailors and mercenaries from forgotten countries and regions walked around, some were busy with work, but most of them were on the shore A final rest before the long voyage south. Quay Street is well suited for such revelry; there's a tavern on every corner.But unlike Luskan Docks, where the lords had allowed mobs to occupy them a long time ago, Dock Street in Waterdeep City was not a disorderly place.Waterdeep City is a city with various laws and regulations, and members of Waterdeep City's well-known city defense organization "Guarantee Corps" also appear in sight all the time. It's full of hardy adventurers, and battle-hardened warriors grimly wielding their skilled weapons.Drizzt and Wulfgar found that many eyes were still watching them, almost everyone turning their heads as they passed.Drizzt touched the mask, and he began to worry that the thing might come off, revealing his true colors to these surprised onlookers.But once he had checked, his fears were dispelled, for his hands still shone with the golden splendor of the surface elves. When Drizzt turned to check with Wulfgar that the mask was still working on his face, he almost laughed out loud, for the dark elf saw that he wasn't the one staring dumbfounded.He had been too close to Wulfgar these past few years, and he was used to Wulfgar's figure.He was almost seven feet tall, muscular and getting stronger every year, and he strode down Dock Street with a genuinely confident ease, Aegis-fang bobbing regularly on one shoulder.Even among the best fighters in the entire world, this young man stands out from the crowd. "For once, I'm not the center of attention." Drizzt said. "Take off the mask, elf," Wulfgar replied, his face flushed with blood. "Then tell them to stop staring at me!" "I would, but Regis had to wear it," Drizzt replied with a wink. The Mermaid's Arm is similar to most of the taverns in this part of Waterdeep.There was shouting and joy in the air, and the air was heavy with the smell of cheap ale and wine.A loud and violent crowd of people jostling and verbally swearing at each other crowded in front of the door. Drizzt looked at Wulfgar worriedly.This is the second time young people have come to this kind of venue.The last time it was at the Crooked Sword Tavern in Luskan, Wulfgar single-handedly destroyed the entire tavern during a brawl, knocking out most of the local patrons.Wulfgar's obsession with honor and courage made him an outlier in the unprincipled world of the tavern. Oppa emerged from the mermaid arm and made his way through the crowd. "Deudermont is sitting on the bar," he said softly through the corner of his mouth.He walked past Drizzt and Wulfgar, acting as if he didn't notice them. "He was tall; he wore a blue coat and had a yellow beard," Opa added. Wulfgar wanted to respond, but Drizzt told him to move on, knowing that Opa did not wish to reveal his relationship with them. As Drizzt and Wulfgar stepped forward, the crowd split and all eyes fell directly on Wulfgar. "Bongo's gonna beat him!" one of them said as the two buddies moved toward the bar. "But it's going to be well worth a look," laughed another. The dark elf's sharp ears picked up the conversation, and he looked again at his gigantic friend, noting that Wulfgar's size always got him into trouble like this. The furnishings inside the mermaid's arm are ordinary.The air was filled with the smoke of burning foreign tobacco and the not-so-fresh smell of ale.A few drunken sailors fell face down on the floor, or sat against a wall, while others stumbled and spilled wine (usually on sober customers). Man pushed to the floor.Wulfgar wondered how many of them had missed their boats.Will they stagger here until they run out of money and end up on the street broke and homeless? "This is the second time I've seen the filth of an inner city," Wulfgar whispered to Drizzt. "Both times reminded me of the joy of walking the broad road!" "Do you like running into goblins and dragons?" Drizzt retorted lightly—and he led Wulfgar to an empty table by the bar. "Better than this place," Wulfgar replied. Before they could sit down, a waitress came up to them. "What do you want?" she asked absently, having long since lost interest in the client she was serving. "A glass of plain water," Wulfgar said roughly. "Another bottle of wine." Drizzt quickly added, taking out a gold coin to ease the sudden frown on the woman's face. "That must be Deudermont," Wulfgar said, avoiding the scolding he would incur for his treatment of the maid.He pointed to a tall man leaning against the edge of the bar. Drizzt stood up immediately, intending to finish their business carefully and leave the tavern as quickly as possible. "Don't leave this table," he said to Wulfgar. Captain Deudermont was not like the other Mermaid Arm customers.He was tall and straight, an elegant man who was used to dining with gentlemen and ladies.But like the captain of all ships in deep water ports, especially on the day of departure, Deudermont will spend most of his time ashore, keeping an eye on his valuable crew to prevent them from being locked up. To the overcrowded jail in Waterdeep. Drizzt huddled beside the captain, ignoring the bartender's questioning eyes. "We have a mutual friend," he said softly to Deudermont. "I don't count Oppa among my friends," the captain replied casually. "But I do not find him exaggerating in his description of your friend's size and strength."    Deudermont wasn't the only one who noticed Wulfgar.Like the other taverns in this part of Waterdeep (and most bars in the world), the Mermaid Arm has a boss.Over the bar rail, a huge fat man named Bongo had been staring at Wulfgar from the first minute he walked through the door.Bongo disliked the man's appearance very much.Beyond his muscular strength, Wulfgar's graceful stride and the ease with which he held the great hammer revealed more experience than his age should have expected. Bongo's supporters swarm around him for the upcoming fight, their wry smiles and the smell of beer galvanizing the boss into action.Usually brimming with confidence, Bongo had to work hard to control his worries this time around.During the seven years he dominated this tavern, he had been defeated many times.His skeleton was bent now, and dozens of bones and muscles had been broken and torn.Seeing Wulfgar's formidable appearance, Bongo began to suspect from the bottom of his heart that even when he was young and strong, he might not be able to win this fight. But the regulars at Mermaid Arm are all looking up at him now.This is their territory and he is their boss.They offered him free food and drink, and he couldn't let these people down. He drank the entire glass in one gulp and forced himself away from the bar.He reassured his supporters with a snarl, then steeled himself and pushed aside anyone who stood in his way, making his way toward Wulfgar. Before the group started moving, Wulfgar knew they would swarm.The scene was all too familiar to the young barbarian, and he fully expected that he would again be singled out for his size, as the kirtle had been in Luskan. "What's your purpose here?" Bongo asked the sitting Wulfgar contemptuously with his hands on his waist.The other punks surrounded the table, wrapping Wulfgar in a circle. Wulfgar's instinct told him to stand up and knock the pompous fat man straight to the ground.He wasn't afraid of Bongo's eight friends.He thinks these people are just cowards who need a leader behind them.If Bongo was knocked out with one blow (which Wulfgar knew he could do) then others would hesitate before making a shot, and hesitating in front of someone like Wulfgar would cost him dearly. But over the past few months, Wulfgar had learned to control his temper, as well as a broader definition of "glory."He shrugged, not making any gestures that looked threatening. "I'm just looking for a place to drink," he replied calmly. "and who are you?" "My name is Bongo," said the fat man, frothing with every word.He puffed out his chest proudly, as if his name meant something to Wulfgar. Wulfgar, wiping Bongo's spit from his face, had to fight his fighting instincts again.He reminded himself that he and Drizzt had more important things to attend to. "Who says you can come to a bar in my place?" Bongo growled, thinking (he hoped) that he would be able to push Wulfgar to the defensive.He glanced around at his friends, who were all bent over, moving closer to Wulfgar, all the more threatening. Wulfgar figured Drizzt would forgive him for having to knock the guy down, and his fists tightened. "One blow is enough..." he whispered to himself, and looked around at the nasty guys around him. They were a group of guys who had to lie unconscious on the corner of the floor, and it seemed that they were more comfortable now. Wulfgar hastened to imagine Regis to suppress his outbursts of anger, but he couldn't ignore that his hands were gripping the edge of the table so tightly that his knuckles were starting to turn white from the lack of blood.    "Has the ship been arranged for us?" Drizzt asked. "It's all kept for you," Deudermont replied. "There are seats for you on the Sea Spirit. I also welcome the increase in manpower and weapons in battle. I especially welcome experienced adventurers. But I suspect that you may not be able to keep up with my schedule." He grabbed Cui Sturt's shoulder, making him turn to see a feud brewing at Wulfgar's desk. "That's the boss of the tavern and his accomplices," explained Deudermont. "But I'll bet on your friend." "Your money is well placed," Drizzt replied, "but we don't have the time..." Deudermont directed Drizzt's gaze to a dark corner of the tavern where four men sat quietly watching the impending commotion with great interest. "The Guard," said Deudermont. "If you fight, your friends will have to spend the night in the dungeon. I can't wait for you." Drizzt searched in the tavern, trying to find a solution.All eyes were on Wulfgar and the villains, eagerly waiting.The dark elf knew that if he walked over now, the whole thing would explode instead.    Bongo's belly bulged forward, just inches from Wulfgar's face, to show him a wide belt with a hundred marks carved into it. "Every trace represents a guy I beat," he boasted. "Give me something to do in jail tonight!" He pointed to a particularly large mark next to the buckle. "I killed the guy. Squeezing his head was a blast. It took me five nights to carve." Wulfgar's clenched fists relaxed, he didn't care much about what Bongo said, but he knew the potential consequences of his actions now.He still has a boat to catch. "Maybe I'm here to see Bongo," he said, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Kill him!" one of the thugs yelled. Bongo looked evilly at Wulfgar. "Come and fight with me?" "No, I don't think so," Wulfgar retorted. "Fight? No, I'm just a boy who came out to see the vast world." Bongo couldn't hide his confusion.He looked around at his friends, who could only shrug back. "Sit down, please," Wulfgar suggested.Bongo didn't move. The villain behind Wulfgar poked him hard on the shoulder and asked, "What exactly is your purpose?" Wulfgar had to be conscious not to throw his fists out and smash the villain's dirty fingers.But now he has mastered himself.He moved towards the giant enemy leader. "I didn't come to fight; I came to see," he said quietly. "Maybe one day I'll think I'm qualified to take on someone like Bongo and I'll be back because I'm pretty sure you'll still be boss of the tavern at that point. But I'm afraid it's years In the future, I still have a lot to learn.” "Then why did you come?" Bongo demanded, his confidence overflowing.He leaned over Wulfgar, approaching threateningly. "I have come to study," Wulfgar replied. "Learn by watching Waterdeep's toughest fighters. See how Bongo performs and handles what's around him." Bongo straightened up and looked around at his anxious friends, who were almost leaning against the table.Bongo grinned open his almost toothless mouth, the customary look he'd make before punching a challenger, and the villains tensed up.But then their boss startled them, and patted Wulfgar on the shoulder the way he would a friend. Sighs filled the saloon as Bongo pulled out a chair to share a drink with this impressive young man. "Go away!" the fat man yelled at his companions.Their faces contorted in disappointment and confusion, but they dared not disobey the order.The man behind Wulfgar gave him another good-natured poke this time, and ran back to the bar with the others.    "Clever," Deudermont commented to Drizzt. "For both of them," replied the dark elf, leaning back against the bar in relief. "Have you anything else to do in town?" asked the captain. Drizzt shook his head. "No more. Put us on board," he said. "I'm afraid Waterdeep will only bring us trouble."    Millions of stars filled the cloudless sky.They stretched down from the velvet sky, blending with the distant light of Waterdeep, making the northern horizon faintly red.Wulfgar found Drizzt on deck, sitting still in the stillness of the swaying sea. "I'd like to go back there," Wulfgar said, following his friend's gaze to the far-off city. "Go and get rid of a drunk, and his nasty friends," Drizzt concluded. Wulfgar smiled, but stopped abruptly when Drizzt turned to him. "What will happen then?" Drizzt asked. "Then you will take his place and become the boss of Mermaid Arm?" "I don't envy that life at all," Wulfgar replied, and he smiled again, but this time it wasn't very comfortable. "Leave that bit fee to Bongo, then," said Drizzt, turning back to look at the city lights. Wulfgar's smile faded again. Seconds, maybe minutes passed, and the only sound was the waves breaking against the Sea Sprite's bow.Drizzt suddenly had a thought, and he pulled the flash out of the scabbard.The finely crafted scimitar came to life in his hands, with a starlit blade that gave it its name and allure. "This knife suits you well," Wulfgar remarked. "It's a good companion," Drizzt admitted, examining the delicate patterns carved along the blade.He remembered another magical weapon he had once owned, the one he got in the lair of the dragon he and Wulfgar had slain together.That knife was also a good companion.It has ice magic on it, and it is forged as a weapon that is particularly effective against flame creatures, and it can also protect the owner from flames.It had helped its master, Drizzt, a great deal, and even saved him from being burned painfully by the demonic fire when his survival was no longer possible. Drizzt turned his gaze back to Wulfgar. "I'm thinking about the first dragon we killed," he explained to the barbarian's questioning eyes. "You and I are alone in the ice cave against Ice Death, a very powerful enemy." "It could have killed us," Wulfgar added. "If it weren't for the luck that there was a big icicle hanging above the dragon's back." "Lucky?" Drizzt replied. "Perhaps. But I dare say that in most cases, luck is just a small advantage of a true fighter in executing the right move." Wulfgar took the compliment lightly; he was the one who dropped the icicles and killed the dragon. "Unfortunately, I have already lost the scimitar I won from the Ice Death Cave, otherwise I could have made a pair with Shining Light." Drizzt said. "Yes," Wulfgar replied, smiling as he remembered his adventures with the dark elves. "Hey, that knife fell into Glen Canyon with Bruno." Drizzt stopped and blinked, as if icy water had been thrown in his face.An image flooded his entire mind in an instant, filling him with hope and extreme fear at the same time.That was the image of Bruenor Warhammer slowly falling into the depths of the canyon on the back of a burning dragon. A flaming dragon! For the first time Wulfgar noticed a tremor in his usually calm friend's voice, and Drizzt called harshly, "Bruenor took my knife?"