Chapter 11 Chapter 8: The Danger of a Low-Flying Bird

By late afternoon the group was finally free of the cliff's zigzags and able to relax completely.After their encounter with Pegasus, it took some time to get the horses back, especially the halfling's pony, which had run away when Regis fell to the ground early in the fight.In fact, in any case, the pony was no longer fit to be ridden; it was too timid, and Regis was not in a good condition to ride.But Drizzt insisted on recovering the two horses, and the two ponies, reminding the companions of their duty to the farmers, especially considering their methods of appropriating the horses.

Regis shared the horse with Wulfgar now, and he sat in front of the barbarian.They took the lead, tying the ponies behind, with Drizzt and Bruenor at a distance behind them.Wulfgar wrapped his large arms tightly around the halfling, a protective wrap, safe enough for the halfling to sleep the sleep he so wanted. "Keep the direction of the setting sun behind," Drizzt ordered the barbarian. Wulfgar yelled yes, and looked back to keep walking in the right direction. "Glutton cannot find a safer place in all the world," Bruno commented to the Dark Elf. Drizzt smiled slightly. "Wullfgar is doing well."

"Yes," agreed the dwarf, looking pleased. "Though I wonder how long I can go on calling him 'little boy'! You should have seen the dagger scene, elf," the dwarf chuckled. "Even a ship full of pirates who haven't docked in a year can't do so much damage!" "When we left Icewind Dale, I worried about Wulfgar's readiness to face the various societies of the wide world," Drizzt replied. "Now I worry about whether the world is ready to face him. You should be proud." "Nor did you help him as much as I did," Bruno said. "He is my boy, Elf, and I am sure of it, as if he were my own. In that field he has no fear. I have never seen such courage in man, just in the When you went to the other world. I tell you! He waited, he hoped, he waited for that nasty monster to come back, so that he could avenge me and the halfling with a beautiful blow!"

Drizzt enjoyed this rare moment of soft-heartedness among the dwarves.He had seen Bruenor shed his ruthless exterior a few times, on the rocks of Icewind Dale, when the dwarf was lost in the halls of Mithril and the wondrous memories of his childhood. "Yes, I'm proud," Bruno continued. "And I found that I was actually willing to accept his leadership and believe in his choice." Drizzt could only agree that he had come to the same conclusion many months earlier, when Wulfgar had united the people of Icewind Dale, barbarians and Ten-Towns, against the harsh winter of the tundra.He would still be apprehensive about bringing the young warrior into a situation like Luskan's dockside, knowing that many of the best men in the world would have paid for their first encounter with the Guild and the city's underground powers. would pay a terrible price, and Wulfgar's deep compassion and unwavering sense of honor would be used against him.

But walking in the wilderness, Drizzt knew he couldn't find a more valuable companion than him. They met no more trouble that day and night, and the next morning they were on the road, from Waterdeep and Calimport in the south, to the north and south of the Sword Coast.It is the most important city in the Forgotten Kingdom, known as the City of Glory.Pass through the town of Long Saddle to Mirabar: the mining center of Bodigan.Mirabar was a sizable mining city, producing all kinds of precious gems and metals.Trade with Luskan and Waterdeep is the lifeblood of Mirabar.trade routes.As Drizzt had expected, there were no landmarks to guide them here, but since his plan was to go east rather than directly southeast, the direction they should go here was clearly south.

Regis was much better for the day, and was anxious to see Longsaddle.Among them, he was the only one who had ever been to the magical Harbell family, and he was looking forward to seeing those strange, but always against the laws of the world landscapes again. However, when he spoke excitedly, it only heightened Wulfgar's fears, for the barbarian's distrust of this dark art was deeply ingrained.Among Wulfgar's people, wizards are often seen as cowards and wicked liars. "How long are we going to be in a place like this?" he asked Bruenor and Drizzt, who had walked alongside him on the wide avenue after safely passing the cliffs.

"Until I get some answers," Bruno replied. "Or until we figure out a better place to go." Wulfgar could only be satisfied with the answers. After a while they passed a remote farmland, attracting the curious eyes of many people who were working with hoes and rakes in the fields.After these initial encounters, they encountered five more armed men called longsaddlers on the road, indicating that they were the guardians of the outskirts of the town. "Welcome, travelers," said one respectfully. "May I ask you why you came here?" "Yes..." Bruenor said, but Drizzt stopped his sarcastic reply with an outstretched hand.

"We're here for the Hubbells," Regis replied. "We have nothing to do with your town. We have come to seek the wise counsel of the family that lives in the Ivy Hall." "You are welcome, then," replied the long saddleback. "A few miles along this road, before reaching Longsaddle Town, you can see the hill where the Ivy Pavilion is." He stopped suddenly, noticing the dark elf. "We can escort you there if you want," he offered, clearing his throat, trying to politely hide his stunned look at the dark elf. "It's not necessary," Drizzt said. "I'm sure we can find our way, and we have no ill intentions toward the people of Longsaddle."

"Very good." The long saddler moved his mount aside, and the group of them continued on the road. "Nevertheless, stay on the road," he called after them. "Some farmers get annoyed at people approaching their land." "They are kind citizens," Regis explained to his companions as they walked along the road, "and trust their wizards." "Greeting, but wary of outsiders," Drizzt retorted, pointing to the distant fields, in front of a row of woods there was a group of people who could only barely see. "We're being watched."

"But it doesn't bother us enough," Bruno said. "It's already far better than what we've been treated elsewhere!" Ivy House Hill was a knoll on which three buildings gleamed, two of which looked like low wooden farmhouses.The third building, however, was unlike anything the four friends had ever seen.Its walls bent at sharp angles every few feet, had alcoves within alcoves, and from its angular roof stood dozens of minarets, no two of which were alike.A thousand windows could be seen from this direction alone, some very large and some no bigger than arrow holes.

There is no trace of artificial design here, nor a comprehensive structural blueprint and form.The House of the Hubbells is a work of art made of various ideas and experiments created by magic.But there really is a beauty in the chaos, a freedom liberated from the word "structure" and a sense of welcoming the visitor embedded in it. A wooden fence surrounded the knoll, and the four friends were well approached, if not excitedly.There was no door at all, but a hole through which the road passed.On a stool in the fence sat a fat, bearded man in a magenta tunic, staring blankly at the sky. He prefaced by noticing their arrival. "Who are you and what do you want?" he demanded bluntly, annoyed that his meditation had been interrupted. "We are weary travelers," Regis replied, "to seek the wisdom of the venerable House of Harbell." The man didn't seem to think much of it. "And then?" He responded immediately. Regis turned helplessly to Drizzt and Bruenor, but they could only answer him with a shrug, not understanding what the other wanted them to say.As Bruenor began to head out to reassert their position, another figure in robes slowly emerged from the mansion to the original man. He whispered a few words to the fat wizard, then turned to face the road. "Welcome," he said to the group. "Forgive poor Rigweed, here—" he patted the fat mage on the shoulder, "because he suffered unbelievable misfortune in an experiment, and it's not going to be fruitless, don't forget Yes, they just take some time." "Regweed is a fine wizard," he continued, patting him on the shoulder again. "His idea of ​​crossbreeding a horse with a frog isn't useless; don't mind the explosions either! The magic shop will be back to what it used to be!" The group of friends stopped their mounts, startled at this casual conversation. "Come on, think of the benefits of being mixed!" the man shouted. "Enough. I'm Harkle. What can I do for you?" "Harkle Harbell?" Regis snickered.The man bowed to them. "Bruenor of Icewind Dale, I am," he declared when Bruenor regained his voice. "My friends came hundreds of miles with me to find the wizard of Longsaddle..." He noticed that Harkle was so drawn to the dark elf that he wasn't paying attention to him at all.Drizzt had put his cloaked hat down on purpose, trying to gauge the reaction of the learned man of long-saddle reputation.The saddler on the road had been surprised but not persecuted, and Drizzt wondered if the town had been more tolerant of his kind in general. "Don't argue," said Harkle in a low voice. "It's unbelievable!" Regweed had also noticed the black elves, and seemed to be interested in them for the first time since the group's arrival. "Can we go in?" Drizzt asked. "Oh yes, come in," Harkle replied, trying to hide his surprise with unnecessary politeness. Wulfgar rode ahead, and began to lead the horses on the road. "Not that way!" said Harkle. "Not that way; it's not really a way, of course. Or it is, but you can't go through it." Wulfgar stopped his mount. "Stop your stupid thinking!" he demanded angrily.His memories of the years when he was distrustful of those who wielded magical arts boiled over as he stumbled. "Can we go in?" "That's not a stupid idea! I assure you," said Harkle, hoping to maintain a friendly atmosphere in this meeting.But Regweed intervened. "He's no different from those people," said the fat mage disapprovingly, rising from his stool. Wulfgar stared at him curiously. "Barbarians," explained Riegwald. "A warrior trained to hate that which he does not understand. Come, warrior, take the hammer from your back." Wulfgar hesitated, finding himself irrationally angry, and looked to his friend for help.He didn't want to mess up Bruno's plan because of his own narrow-mindedness. "Come on," Regweed insisted and moved to the middle of the road. "Throw your hammer at me. Get your wish by exposing a wizard's stupid idea! And kill one in the process! If I've ever heard of such a thing, I'll do you a favor!" He pointed His jaw, "Right here," he snapped. "Rigweed," Harkle sighed, shaking his head. "Please promise him, warrior. Put a smile on his dejected face." Wulfgar looked at his friends again, but they still didn't answer.Regweed broke the predicament for him. "Mongrel born of reindeer." Before the fat mage could finish his insult, the Fang of Aegis flew out and spun through the air, heading for its target.Regweed didn't flinch, and just as Aegis' Fang was about to pass over the fence, it collided with something invisible but solid as stone.There was a bang like a gong in a ceremony, and the transparent wall shook, and then they saw the shock wave go out, and the dumbfounded onlookers saw only the distorted image behind the wall.The group noticed for the first time that the fence wasn't real, but something painted on a transparent wall. Aegis' Fang fell into the dust as if all its power had been exhausted, and it took a while to regain Wulfgar's grasp. Regweed's laugh was triumphant rather than humorous, but Harkle shook his head. "You're always complacent about other people's failures," he scolded. "You have no right to do that." "He'd better take that lesson," Regweed retorted. "Humility is also an important quality in a fighter." Regis bit his lip until he could bite no more.He'd known about the invisible wall for a long time, and now his laugh broke out.Drizzt and Bruenor couldn't help following the halfling's actions, and even Wulfgar, recovering from the shock, smirked at his own "stupidity." Of course, Harkle had to stop scolding and laughed along with them. "Please come in by all means," he begged the group. "The third post is true; you can find the door. But please dismount and take the saddles off first." Wulfgar's suspicions suddenly returned, and his scowl masked an old smile. "Please explain why," he demanded of Harkle. "Just do it!" Regis ordered, "or you will encounter something even more surprising than just now." Drizzt and Bruenor had slipped out of their saddles, interested in all this, but not at all suspicious of the hospitable Harkle Harbel.Wulfgar spread his arms helplessly and followed them, taking the gear off the roan and following behind, leading his horse and Regis' pony. Regis easily spotted the entrance and opened it for his friends.They entered without fear, only to be struck by blinding flashes of light. When their eyes were able to see clearly again, they found that the horses had been shrunk down to the size of cats! "What?" Bruenor blurted out, but Regis laughed again, and Harkle seemed like nothing weird had happened. "Catch them and follow me," he instructed. "It's dinner time, and tonight's 'Fluff Stick' meal is delicious!" He led them along the curious building to a bridge that spanned the center of the hill.Bruenor and Wulfgar, with their cats, found it ridiculous, but Drizzt accepted it with a smile, and Regis enjoyed the unnatural spectacle from start to finish.He'd learned on his first visit to Longsaddle that it was a place to take it lightly, purely for fun to appreciate the Harbells' idiosyncratic and unique way of doing things. A high arching bridge loomed before them, and Regis knew that would serve as another example.Although the stream it crossed was not spectacular, it was evident that there was nothing to support it, and its narrow deck was completely bare, not even a railing. Another robed Harbell, impossibly old, was sitting on a stool, chin resting on his hand, muttering to himself, and seemed to have nothing to say to strangers, whoever they were. pay attention. When Wulfgar, walking ahead alongside Harkle, almost reached the river, he jumped back, panting and speechless.Regis snickered, knowing what the giant saw, and Drizzt and Bruenor understood immediately. The stream flowed 'up' the hill and then disappeared shortly before reaching the top of the hill, although the group certainly heard the sound of water flowing in front of them.Then the stream re-emerges over the top of the hill and goes down the other side. The old man jumped to his feet suddenly, and charged at Wulfgar. "What does that mean?" he cried out in despair. "How could this be?" He slammed into the Savage's hairy chest in frustration. Wulfgar looked around to escape, not even grabbing the old man for fear of hurting his fragile body.As unexpectedly as he had come suddenly, the old man ran back on the stool and resumed his silent posture. "Hey, poor Xia Dan," Harkle said quietly. "In his prime, he was really capable. But for two decades, he's been obsessed with finding the secret of invisibility under bridges." "Why is this stream treated so differently than that wall?" Drizzt asked curiously. "Such magic is evidently not unknown in wizarding circles." "Ah, but it's still different," Harkle replied quickly, excited that there was interest in their work outside of the Ivy Pavilion. "An invisible object is not so rare, but an invisible field..." He reached out to the stream, "Everything that enters this river will assume this quality," he explained. "But only as long as it remains within the field. And to a person in the area of ​​magic, I know, because I have done this experiment myself, everything outside the field is invisible, The water and fish inside seem normal though. This violates our knowledge of invisibility, and may actually reflect a rift to another world!" As he spoke, he found his excitement beyond the darkness It was beyond the comprehension or interest of his fellow elves, so he calmed himself down and politely switched to another subject. "Your horses will live in this house," he said, pointing to one of the low wooden buildings. "You can go across the bottom bridge. I have other things to do now. Maybe we will have a chance to meet in the tavern later." Wulfgar didn't fully understand Harkle's instructions, and stepped lightly on the first plank of the bridge, only to be bounced back by an invisible force. "I say take the 'bottom' bridge!" Harkle yelled, pointing under the bridge. "You must not go across the top bridge; that's what you went on the way back! Don't make any further arguments about crossing the bridge," he explained. Wulfgar was suspicious of a bridge he couldn't see, but he didn't want to appear cowardly in front of his friends and the wizard.He moved to the side where the bridge arched upwards, putting his feet under the wooden structure of the bridge with extreme care, to feel what he couldn't see across the river.But there was only air, and unseen water flowing beneath his feet, and he hesitated. "Go on!" Harkle persuaded him patiently. Wulfgar lunged forward, ready to drop himself into the water.But to his surprise, he didn't fall. He fell! "Wow!" he exclaimed as the Savage hit the floor of the bridge with a slap.He lay there for a while, disoriented, with his back flat against the bottom of the bridge, looking down instead of up. "Look!" shrieked the wizard, "Bottom Bridge!" Drizzt was second to go, leaping into the area of ​​the magic with a light dodge, and landed lightly on his friend's side with his feet. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Ways in the wild, my friend!" Wulfgar moaned. "I long for the wild roads, and the goblins. It's safer." Drizzt helped him struggle to his feet, and as the Savage rose an inch at a time under the bridge (with an invisible stream running overhead), he began to struggle a little more. Bruenor also had his insistence, but the taunt from the halfling forced him to move forward, and it wasn't long before the group of friends flipped back to the grass in the real world on the other side of the embankment.Before them stood two buildings, and they walked towards the smaller one that Harkle had shown them. A woman in a blue robe met them at the door. "Four?" she asked exaggeratedly. "You should have sent the message first." "Harkle sent us," Regis explained. "We are not from this place. Please forgive us for neglecting your customs here." "That's no problem," the woman bluffed. "Come in. We're really busy this time of year. I'm sure I have room for your horses." She led them into the main room of the house, a square room.The four walls were lined from floor to ceiling with cages just big enough for a cat-sized horse to stretch its legs inside.Many of the cages were already filled with horses, with name tags indicating which member of the Harbell family they were reserved for, but the woman found four cages together and put their horses in them anyway. "You can come and take them anytime you want," she explained, handing each of them the key to the cage their mounts belonged to.When she got to Drizzt, she paused to study his handsome face. "Who is this one here?" she asked, without losing her cool tone. "I never heard of you coming, but I'm sure many will wish to meet them before you leave! We've never seen your kind." Drizzt nodded without answering, increasingly uncomfortable with this new form of attention.Somehow, it seemed to make him feel more discriminated against than the threats from the ignorant peasants.Still, he understood the curiosity, and guessed he owed the wizards at least several hours of conversation. The 'Fuzzy Staff' tavern behind the Ivy Hall fills a circular room.The bar sits in the middle, like the axle of a wheel, and within its vast circumference is another room, the enclosed kitchen area.A hairy man with thick arms and a bald head was constantly mopping the shiny tabletop of the bar with a rag, not so much cleaning up a spilled drink as he was trying to kill time. Some distance behind, on a raised stage, instruments played automatically, guided by the rapid whirling of a dark-haired wizard in black trousers, black vest, and carrying a baton.Whenever the instrument was about to play a crescendo, the wizard would point high with his baton and make a sound with the fingers of his free hand, and colored sparks would burst from the four corners of the stage. They found a table where they could see the wizards coming in and sat down.They choose their seats carefully because, as far as they can see, they are the only customers in the store.These tables, too, were round, and made of fine wood, and in the center of the tables were mounted huge emeralds cut into facets on silver plinths. "It's a weird place you've never heard of," complains Bruno, who has been sick since he crossed the Bottom Bridge.But he backed down because he had to speak to the Hubbells. "So do I," said the Savage. "I hope I can leave soon." "You are all trapped in the closets of your mind," Regis reproached. "This is a place to enjoy, and you know no danger lurks here." Wulfgar blinked when his eyes fell to him. "Anyway, nothing to worry about." "Long Saddle Silver gives us a chance to get some much-needed rest," Drizzt added. "Here, we can safely plan where we want to go next, and go on the road refreshed. It took two weeks from Icewind Dale to Luskan, and it took about the same from Luskan to here, and we haven't slowed down. .Fatigue wears down the advantages of a skilled fighter." When he finished thinking, he looked specifically at Wulfgar. "A weary man makes mistakes. And mistakes that almost always happen in the wild mean death." "So let's relax and enjoy the Hubbells' hospitality!" said Regis. "Agreed," Bruno said, glancing around. "But only for a short break. Where are the maids in this eighteenth hell? Or are you going to fetch food and drink yourself?" "If you want something, just tell me," said a voice from the center of the table.Wulfgar and Bruenor jumped to their feet, taking defensive positions.Drizzt noticed a glint of light in the center of the emerald, studied it, and guessed at once what the thing was made of.He turned to look at the bartender, who was also standing behind a similar emerald. "It's a device like a crystal ball." The dark elf explained to his friends, and now even they got the same understanding and felt stupid standing in an empty tavern with a weapon drawn in their hand thing. Regis bowed his head long ago, his shoulders heaving up and down from convulsive laughter. "Go! You already knew!" Bruno snarled at him. "You've had a lot of fun with us, glutton," the dwarf warned! "As for me, I'd love to know how long we'll have your place on the road!" Regis lifted his head to meet the stare of his dwarf friend, and suddenly stared back with his own determined gaze. "We have walked and rode for more than four hundred miles!" he retorted. "Through the cold wind and the attacks of the orcs, and the battle with the goblins. Allow me to be happy, good dwarf. If you and Wulfgar unhook your burdens and look at this place with unbiased eyes, then you You will also find your own, equally happy laughter!" Wulfgar actually smiled.Then, suddenly, he threw his head back and roared out, throwing away all his anger and prejudice, so that he could heed the halfling's advice and look at Longsaddle with an open heart.The legato wizard also stopped playing to see the sight of the savage howling with pure heart. When Wulfgar had finished shouting, he smiled.Not a low chuckle of admiration, but a thunderous laugh that went up his stomach and burst out of his gaping mouth. "Ale!" Bruno yelled at the gem.Almost immediately, a blue-glowing floating tray slid out of the bar, bringing them ale strong enough to get them drunk all night.After a few minutes, all traces of tension on the road were gone, and they toasted each other enthusiastically and drank heartily. Only Drizzt remained restrained, sipping his drink slowly and remaining alert to his surroundings.He saw no immediate danger here, but he hoped to grasp the inevitable temptations of wizards. Soon, the Hubbells and their friends began a steady flow into the Fluffy Wand.They were the only ones who had just arrived from other places that night.All who came to dinner put their tables together, exchanged stories of their travels, and drank toasts to enduring friendships, before long huddling around the warm fire.There were many, led by Harkle, who cared especially for Drizzt and his brethren in the Dark City, and he answered these questions almost without reservation. The conversation then shifted to what brought them all this way to get here.In fact, it was Bruno who started it, leaping onto the table in front of him, and proclaiming, "Halls of Mithril! Home of my ancestors, you must be mine again!" Drizzt was increasingly alert.Judging from the inquisitive reaction of the crowd, the name of Bruno's ancient homeland is known to everyone here, at least they have heard it in legend.The dark elf was not afraid of any unintentional actions of the Harbell family, but he simply didn't want their adventure to be followed by others, or even their destination to be preceded by others.Others may be interested in knowing the location of the ancient stronghold of the Dwarves, which is said in legend to be "the mine where the stream of silver flows." Drizzt pulled Harkle aside. "The nights are getting longer and longer. Is there a place for us to rest on the other side of the village?" "Stop talking nonsense!" Harkle said a little angrily. "You are my guests and should stay here. I have already prepared the rooms for you." "The money is here." Harkle pushed Drizzt's wallet away. "The Ivy House House is a great story or two, bringing something interesting into our lives. What you and your friends are paying for is over a year old!" "Thanks then," Drizzt replied. "I think it's time for our gang to rest. We've had a long ride and there's still more to come." "There is one thing to do with the road ahead of you," said Harkle. "I've arranged for you to meet with Dilo, the eldest surviving Harbell family in Longsaddle. He can advise you on your journey better than any of us." "Great," Regis said, leaning over to listen to the conversation. "There may be a small price to pay for this meeting," Harkle told Drizzt. "Dillo would like to have a private meeting with the two of you. He has sought knowledge about the dark elves for many years, but has received very little." "Agreed." Drizzt replied. "Now it's time for us to go to bed." "I'll help you lead the way." "When are we going to see Dilo?" "Morning," Harkle replied. Regis smiled, and leaned over to the other side of the table.There Bruno sat motionless, holding his glass in his gnarled hand, without blinking.Regis pushed lightly, and Bruenor fell, slamming to the floor without a groan of protest. "I think it's better at night," the halfling suggested, pointing to a table across the room. Wulfgar lay under the table. Harkle looked at Drizzt. "Evening," he agreed. "I'll talk to Dilo." The four friends spent the next day recuperating and enjoying the endless magic of the Ivy Pavilion.Drizzt had been called early on to meet Dilo, while the others had been taken by Harkle to see the largest building there, past a dozen magic shops, accounts.chambers, meditation rooms, and several well-preserved rooms designed to cast spells on beings from another world.There is a statue of Marcely Hubbell of most interest, since it is in fact the wizard himself.In fact, it was the wrong preparation of the magic potion that turned him into stone. Then they saw Biddu, the family dog ​​who had been Harkle's second nephew, again through bad magic potions. Harkle kept nothing from these visitors, explaining in detail the family history, achievements, and often unfortunate failures.He also told them about the Uska barbarians around Chang'an Town, the Pegasus tribe they had encountered, and other tribes they might encounter later on the road. Bruno was delighted that their break also yielded valuable intel.His purpose kept urging him, and he felt pangs of guilt when he took his time and made no progress toward his goal of reaching Mithril Hall, even if he simply needed a break. "You have to want it with all your heart," he often said to himself. But Harkle had provided his guided tour of the country, which would no doubt help him shorten future trips, so he was content when the Fluffy Wand sat down to supper.Drizzt came back to them later, sullen and silent, and he didn't answer much when asked what he and Dilo had talked about. "Think about future meetings!" This was the Dark Elf's answer to Bruno's query. "Dillo is very old and well-learned. He may be our best hope for finding the way to Mithril Hall." Bruno was indeed thinking about the meeting that had not yet come. Drizzt sat back in his chair quietly throughout the meal, thinking of the legends and sights of his homeland he had told Dilo!He remembered the unique beauty of Menzoberranzan. And the evil minds that plundered it. A few moments later, Harkle took Drizzt, Bruenor, and Wulfgar to see the aged mage (Regis had begged not to) for another feast in the tavern.They met Dilo in a small, torchlit, shadowy room, the flickering light of which added to the mystery of the aged wizard's face.Bruenor and Wulfgar were quick to agree with Drizzt's observations of Dilo, for decades of experience and unspoken adventures had clearly etched into the man's leathery brown skin.他的身体已经不行了，这个他们都看得到，但是他苍白眼中的光辉却透露出他内在的生命力，让人对他心智的锐利不太感到怀疑。 布鲁诺在那间房里的圆桌上摊开了地图，放在狄洛先前带来的图书以及卷轴之旁。年老的法师小心翼翼地详看了地图几秒，追寻着他们几个人来到长鞍镇的脚步。“你对那些古老的厅室有何印象，矮人？记不记得有什么地标，或者是邻近的种族？” 布鲁诺摇了摇头。“在我脑海中的图像显示了地底深处的厅室和工作的地方，铁锹在钴上的响声。我们部族的逃亡是从山上开始的；我所知道的就只有这些。” “北地的幅员很辽阔，”哈寇强调说。“可能隐藏这种堡垒的山脉有很多。” “这就是为什么秘银之厅因为财富而出名，却还没被找到的原因。”狄洛回答说。 “就是这样，所以我们不知道何去何从。”崔斯特说。“我们甚至不知道要从哪里开始找。” “啊，但是至少你们已经开始了。”狄洛回答。“你们选择往内陆走是很好的，所有关于秘银之厅的传说来源都在这里以东，甚至离海岸更远。你们的目标似乎位于长鞍镇和大沙漠之间，虽然我猜不出来是北是南。你们做得很好。” 崔斯特点了点头，中止了对话，老人向后坐回去，开始静静地检验布鲁诺的地图，标出了重要的点，并且时而参考他堆在旁边桌上的那一叠书。布鲁诺守在狄洛身边，对于将要得到的建议或指示感到很焦急。虽然如此，矮人们是很有耐心的种族，这也是让他们的手工艺品品质超乎其他种族的特性之一，而布鲁诺尽可能保持冷静，不想去催巫师。 一阵子之后，当狄洛满足于相关的资讯都找得差不多了之时，他再度开口了。“你们接下来该去的地方，”他问布鲁诺，“如果我不给你建议的话，会是哪儿？” 矮人回去看了看地图，崔斯特在同时细察他肩膀的另一边，他用粗短的手指沿着一条路向东移动。当到达了他和崔斯特在路上曾经讨论过的某一定点时，看了看崔斯特寻求他的同意。黑暗精灵点了点头。“阿德巴堡。”布鲁诺宣称，他的指头在地图上敲。 “矮人的堡垒，”狄洛说，看来并不太惊讶。“很好的选择。哈布仑王跟他的矮人们可能会帮助你很多。他们曾经在秘银山中无数个世纪。当然在矮人的歌中传颂着秘银之厅的锤子之时，阿德巴就已经存在了。” “那你的建议就是要我们去阿德巴堡喽？”崔斯特问。 “这是你们选的。但是跟我所能提供的目的地差不多好，”狄洛回答。“只是路途太远了。一切顺利的话至少也要五个星期。而且它在越过桑达巴更东边的路上，好像不太对。还有，你们大概可以在冬天第一次寒流来袭之前到达那里，虽然我怀疑你们是否能得到哈布仑王的情报，而且在明年春天之前再度展开你们的旅程。” “那选择已经很明显了，”布鲁诺宣称，“就去阿德巴吧！” “还有一些你们要知道的事。”狄洛说。“这是我真正能给你们的建议：不要被道路终点充满希望的想象蒙蔽了你们对道路上可能发生之事的警觉。到目前为止你们都是直接地移动，先从冰风谷到了路斯坎，再从路斯坎到了这里。路上除了怪物以外，很少有其他东西会成为将骑马者引开的理由；但是在前往阿德巴的路上，你们会经过银月城银月城(Silverymoon)：银月城被称为北地的宝石(the Gemof the North)，是北地最美丽最开放的城市。在险恶的北地诸城中，银月城是所有善良人们的希望。艾拉斯卓艾拉斯卓(Lady Alustriel)：银月城的统治者，一个拥有高深法力的美丽女魔法师。是被遗忘国度中著名的“七姐妹”之一，非常受到银月城居民跟被遗忘国度里的善良势力所尊敬。艾拉斯卓也是竖琴手组织的一员，日后将成为崔斯特在北地最有力的盟友之一。掌管的智慧与遗产之都，以及贤者藏书库贤者藏书库(Vault of Sages)：位于银月城，号称北地最大的图书馆。整个北地当中最好的图书馆之一。在那个美丽的城市中，有很多人都比我对你们的冒险之旅更有帮助，甚至超过哈布仑王。” “而越过了银月城之后你们将会到达桑达巴，它本身就是个古老的矮人堡垒，统治者是有名的矮人之友，贺姆。他跟你们种族的渊源很深，可以追溯到许多代之前。这渊源说起来，也许他就是属于你们种族的一员。” “很有可能！”哈寇笑逐颜开。 “我们会留意你智慧的忠告，狄洛。”崔斯特说。 “是的！”矮人也同意，他的精神高昂。 “当我们离开冰风谷时，我不知道到了路斯坎之后要做什么。我的希望是沿路一直猜，料想一半以上会是毫无价值的。半身人带我们来到这里真是聪明，因为我们找到了一整串的线索！而且线索又引出更多的线索！”他环顾了一下四周兴奋的人们，崔斯特、哈寇、以及狄洛，然后他注意到了沃夫加，还是静静地坐在椅子上，双手交叉在胸前，没有什么表情地望着。 “你怎么样，孩子？”布鲁诺问道。 “你有什么想法要说的吗？”沃夫加身子往前倾，将手肘搁在桌上。 “这不是属于我的冒险之旅，也不是属于我的地方，他解释说。“我跟着你，不管你选那一条路我都信任你。 " “我对你的喜悦和兴奋感到很欣慰。”他又平静地补充说。 布鲁诺完全接受了这个解释，然后转向狄洛和哈寇，询问关于之后路上更精确的情报。然而崔斯特却不相信刚才沃夫加的最后陈述是诚挚的，故意让眼神继续在这个年轻蛮族的身上流连！他注意到当沃夫加望向布鲁诺时眼中的神情。 是悲戚吗？ 他们在长春藤馆多过了两个悠闲的日子，然而崔斯特老是被好奇的哈贝尔家族成员缠着，要他多讲一些有关他们这个不常见种族的事情。他客气地对待这些问题，了解他们的善意，并且尽他所能地回答。当第五天早上哈寇护送他们出去时，他们的精力已经完全恢复，并且准备好要继续他们的任务了。哈寇答应安排把马送回给他们真正的主人，还一面说这是他最低限度应该做的，因为这些陌生人给这个地方带来了这么大的乐趣。 但事实上，这群伙伴们因为这次的逗留而得到了更多利益。狄洛与哈寇给了他们有价值的情报，而也许更重要的是重建了他们对这次的寻觅之旅的希望。布鲁诺在前一天早上凌晨之前已经恢复了元气，由于他想到现在上路已经有目标可以去了，使得他的肾上腺素被激发送到全身，而兴奋了起来。 他们在离开长春藤馆的过程中一再道别，并且频频不舍地回首，即使在对巫师坚定的憎恶中来到这里的沃夫加也是如此。 他们越过了顶桥，对夏丹告别，他还是陷在对溪水的宜一想中而不劬曰投以注意。然后他们很快地发现了在缩小马厩旁边的建筑物是实验农场。“这将会改变世界的面貌！”当哈寇带他们转向那个建筑物近一点看时，他郑重地宣称。崔斯特在进去之前，当他一听到高调的牛羊叫声以及蟋蟀般的呜声时就猜到他的意思了。就像马厩，这个农场是一间房间，虽然它有一部份没屋顶，并且事实上是围在墙内的农田。猫般大的牛羊在到处乱跑，而田鼠大小的鸡则在闪躲这些动物微小的脚。 “当然，这是我们如此做的第一季，也还没有结果出来，”哈寇解释说。“但是我们预期在很节省资源的情况下会有高度的出产。” “真有效率，”瑞吉斯笑着说。“用更少的饲料、更少的空间，当你们要吃的时候再把他们变大！” “完全正确！”哈寇说。 然后他们走向马厩，在那里哈寇拿出很好的坐骑给他们，两匹马以及两匹小马。哈寇解释说这些是礼物，当他们有空的时候再还就可以了。“这是我们对如此崇高的探索旅程所能给的最小的帮助。”哈寇一面说，一面低身鞠躬以阻止任何来自布鲁诺或崔斯特的抗议。 道路曲折地延伸，直到下了山丘的背面。哈寇站在那里搔他的下巴，脸上现出迷惘的表情。“第六个岗哨，”他告诉自己，“但是左还是向右呢？” 一个在梯子(这是另一件有趣而稀奇的事，看一把梯子向上延伸到假的围篱之上并且停在半空中隐形墙顶的地方)上工作的人主动帮助了他们。“又忘记了吗？”他对哈寇轻笑。他指着另一边远远的围篱。“左边的第六个岗哨！” 哈寇耸耸肩，卸去他的尴尬，然后继续前进。 当他们四个伙伴正要离开山丘的时候，他们好奇地看着刚才那个工人，他们的坐骑还蜷缩在腋下。那个人拿着水桶以及抹布，正在擦拭透明墙上一些红棕色的斑点。 “低飞的鸟，”哈寇怀着歉意地说，“但是别害怕，在我们讲话的同时瑞格卫德也正在努力解决这个问题。” “现在我们已经到了要分手的时候了，然而到你们在长春藤馆里被遗忘之时，还需要好多年！这条路会直接带你们穿过长鞍镇的村落。你们可以在那里补充装备，这些都已经安排好了。” “我向你和你的同族致上最高的敬意！”布鲁诺说，然后深深地一鞠躬。“长鞍镇真是灰暗道路上的一点光明！”其他人也都马上同意。 “那再见了，秘银之厅的伙伴们，”哈寇叹息道。“当你们终于找到秘银之厅并且再度启动古老的熔炉之后，哈贝尔家族希望能得到一个小纪念品！” “我会给你国王的珍宝！”当他们离开时，布鲁诺向他保证。 他们在正午之前已经走在越过了长鞍镇境界的路上，他们的坐骑载着许多装满的行囊轻松地快步行走。 “嗯，你选择哪一个，精灵，”在那一天的稍后，布鲁诺问道。“被一个疯狂士兵的矛刺，还是被一个神奇巫师的鼻尖戳？” 当崔斯特在思考这个问题的时候，他防御性地笑了。长鞍镇和他所去过的任何地方都不同，然而，又是那么地相似。在其他的情况下，他的肤色标明了他是异类，而这种他寻常面对的敌意，比起那些提醒他自己永远跟别人不同而使他困窘的人来说，反而不是那么地困扰他。 只有骑在他身边的沃夫加才听到他喃喃地回答。 “赶路吧。”