Chapter 13 Chapter 10 Kista's Heart

They left the cave and found Guenhwyvar guarding Duggin, who dared not move.Drizzt waved the cat away from him, and they started back the way they had come. Drizzt barely felt anything on the return trip.He didn't say a word along the way, until he returned to the beach and found that the ice and zombies had disappeared, and after confirming that they would no longer be attacked, he made a sound for Guan Haifa to return to the astral world.Everyone else could understand the impact the witch's message had on Drizzt, and out of respect for Drow's mood, they all remained absolutely silent.

Drizzt repeated the blind witch's words over and over again in his mind, but couldn't put it down.He knew that every syllable of the witch might be a clue that might help him find out who was holding his father.But these words came too suddenly, too unexpectedly. his father!Zach Nafein!Drizzt could barely breathe at the thought of what he might be in.He recalled their numerous training sessions.Zach Nafein once wanted to kill him, but it only made him love his father more.Because at that time Zach Nafein thought that his beloved Drizzt had already embarked on the dark path of drow.

Drizzt tried not to wallow in these memories.He had no time for nostalgia, and now he had to concentrate all his energies on this sudden event.He also felt a shuddering surprise at the possibility of a reunion with Zach Nafein.The secrets of this lie in the hands of some powerful force, perhaps a Matron, or even Rose herself.The witch also mentioned Catti-brie, and the ranger couldn't help but sneak a glance at her.The young woman was clearly lost in the same contemplation.It can be inferred from the witch's words that everything from the attack on Waterdeep to the journey to this deserted island was completely arranged by a powerful enemy.His revenge target was not only Drizzt, but also Catti-brie.

Drizzt stayed in the stern on purpose as they towed the skiff toward the beach.He didn't look at Katie again, and he didn't think about those things in the past.He devoted all his thoughts to the poem recited by the witch.The most useful thing he can do for Katie and Zach Nafein right now is to firmly remember every detail of the poem.Drizzt saw this clearly, but the possibility that Zaknafein might still be alive made him restless.The content of this poem is also very vague. It is related to a long-term dream that the ranger tried to recall.Drizzt's eyes were fixed on the oars lapping repeatedly against the black water as they jolted away from the shores of Kavi.If a group of zombies rose up from the bottom of the water to attack them at this time, Drow would definitely be the last to draw his weapon.

However, they finally returned to the Sea Spirit without incident.After confirming with Drizzt that the issue of the island was over, Deudermont sailed the schooner back to the open sea without hesitation.The Sea Spirit rushed out of the mist that enveloped Kavi at full speed, and quickly left the ghostly island far behind.It wasn't until Kavi had completely disappeared from sight that Deudermont called Drizzt, Katie, and the two wizards into his room to discuss the events on the island. "Do you know what the old witch was talking about?" the captain asked Drizzt. "Zaknafein." Drow replied simply.He noticed a cloud over Katie's face.The young woman has been jittery since leaving the cave and nearly passed out.But now she just looks very depressed.

"Then what should we do next?" Deudermont continued to ask. "Go home, just go home," said Robillard. "Our provisions are running low. And we have to repair Sea Sprite's damage from the storm." "And after that?" The captain looked straight at Drizzt. Deudermont left him the power of decision, which made Drizzt feel warm from the bottom of his heart.But Zall did not express his opinion immediately.So the captain continued: "The witch said: 'Go to your deepest hatred', who could it be?" "Entreri," Katie replied.She looked at the surprised Deudermont, "Artemis Entreri, a killer from the south."

"Is that the killer we've been chasing to Calishan?" Deudermont asked. "It looks like our entanglement with him will never end," Katie said. "He's the one who hates Drizzt the most..." "No." Drizzt interrupted her, shaking his head and running his hands through his thick white hair. "Not Entreri," the drow knew Artemis Entreri all too well.Indeed, Entreri hated him, or had hated him.But their fight is more about blind vanity.All that killer did was to prove that he was stronger than Drizzt.While he remained in Menzoberranzan, this need of his was somewhat less important.Drizzt now faced a far more serious challenge, one that involved Rose herself.Katie was also involved because of the stalactites that destroyed Baenre Chapel.This pursuit, behind this proverbial ring of gold, is pure and absolute hatred.

"Who is that?" Deudermont asked after a long silence. Drizzt couldn't give a definite answer, "It's probably Baenre. I have made many enemies, and there are many strong men in Menzoberranzan who are willing to attack me from a long distance." "But how did you know it was from Menzoberranzan?" Harkle asked. "You have enemies on the surface too!" "Entreri," Katie said again. Drizzt still shook his head, "The witch said: 'An enemy, in your original homeland.' An enemy from Menzoberranzan." Katie couldn't be sure that Drizzt had repeated the witch's words correctly, but his statement seemed irrefutable.

"So. Where do we start?" Deudermont acted as peacemaker. "The witch mentioned a different world," Robila reminded everyone, "The Demonic Abyss." "Rose's house," Drizzt said. Robila nodded, "So we must find the answer from the Demonic Abyss." "Where are we going to sail?" Deudermont said with obvious sarcasm. A magician always knows more about these things, and he just smiled and shook his head, "We must bring a devil into our world. Get exact information from him. For those who are proficient in the art of magic That being said, it's not difficult to do that."

"Are you okay?" Deudermont asked him. Robilla shook her head, and turned her eyes to Harkle. "What?" Harkle, who was absent-minded, suddenly found that everyone seemed to be staring at him.The magician was desperately trying to reorganize the witch's poems just now. Although he stood close to the witch when he was in the cave, he couldn't hear all the words of the witch. "You have power to summon demons," Robilla told him. "Me?" he screamed. "Oh no. I won't be allowed in the Ivy for twenty years. That's a bad thing. A lot of hubbells have been brought in." The devil has eaten it!"

"Then who can give us the answer?" Katie asked. "There are wizards in Luskan who can do this," Robilla said, "and some priests in Waterdeep, too. But they're not cheap to hire." "We have gold," said Deudermont. "That's the ship's gold," Drizzt objected, "the Sea Sprite's gold." Deudermont waved his hand at him, "Without Drizzt and Katie, we would never have achieved such achievements and benefits. You are part of the Sea Spirit and one of us. We will all work together to share your distress. Feel happy, like you would go out of your way to help others." Drizzt couldn't find any reason to refuse this kind of help, but he still noticed a bit of complaint when Robilla said "it is." "Waterdeep or Luskan, then?" Deudermont asked Robillard. "Shall we go to the north of the Moonshaes, or to the south?" "Waterdeep," interrupted Harkle suddenly, "well, I'd rather choose a priest. A good priest is much better at dealing with a devil than a wizard. A magician may have other tasks or problems for the devil to complete, and never should." Let the devil do too much in this world." Drizzt, Katie, and Deudermont looked at Harkle curiously, trying to figure out what he meant. "He is right," explained the magician of the Sea Sprite. "A good clergyman does not make extravagance in the matter of summoning the devil. We can be sure that he only summons the devil for the purpose of justice and the benefit of the world. ’” He kept his eyes on Drizzt as he spoke.Drow sensed that Robila had doubts about the wisdom of this investigation. He was probably suspecting that the words of the blind witch were a trap, and even Drizzt's motives might also be within the scope of his suspicions. "Rescuing Zaknafein from Rose or a mistress is an act of justice." Drizzt, who insisted on taking action, couldn't help showing a trace of anger. "Then a good priest is our best choice." The magician of the Sea Spirit replied casually, he didn't think he should apologize for his suspicion. ※※※※ Kista looked into the lifeless black eyes of the reindeer, lying still on the flat tundra surrounded by the colorful wildflowers that bloomed during the short summer days of Icewind Dale.It died without pain, a blow from Kista's spear killing it. Kista was delighted with the outcome, not because he had any sympathy for the magnificent beast.The survival of his people depended on the success of their hunts.Such a valuable animal should not have any waste.The young man was delighted that his first prey was so complete.He looked into the eyes of the dead beast and gave thanks to its spirit. Birxja walked up behind the young hunter and patted him on the shoulder.Kista, who was still staring at the prey under his feet, suddenly realized that he was no longer a child in the eyes of his tribe.Then he realized that the big man who came was holding a long dagger in his hand. Birxja crouched down next to the prey, raised one of its legs, and slashed into the reindeer's chest.His movements are quick and skilled.In a few moments he was on his feet, holding the beast's heart in his blood-soaked palm. "Eat it and you will gain the stag's strength and speed," the leader of the barbarians said to the young hunter. Kista took the heart carefully and brought it to her lips.He knew it was part of the trial.But he felt that it was not the same as he imagined.Burksgar's words are irresistible, he cannot fail.He told himself that he was not a child anymore.The smell of blood awakened the wild in him, and he knew what he had to do. "This heart contains the soul of this deer," another explained to him, "and you are going to eat this soul." Kista no longer hesitated.He stuffed the dark red heart between his lips.He barely felt the movement of himself devouring his heart, and the soul of the dead reindeer flowed through his body.Songs rang in his ears, and Berksga's Hunters were celebrating his coming of age. He is no longer a child. Kista stopped expecting anything, and just stood there expressionless while the elder hunters cleaned and bundled the reindeer.This is indeed a better way of life for him and his people.No bondage of goods, no need to deal with other people.Kista now understood that Berksga was right.Still, the young man held no ill will toward the dwarves or the inhabitants of Ten-Towns, nor did he intend to diminish the reverence he held for Wulfgar.This fallen hero has made great contributions to the people of Icewind Dale. Kista looked at their perfect harvest, reassured that the proud animal had not been insulted or abandoned in any way.He looked again at his bloody hands, feeling blood dripping down his chin into the soft soil beneath his feet.This is his life, his destiny.But what does this mean?More wars with Ten-Towns, like in the past?And what will they do with the returning Dwarves of Cairne? For the past few weeks Kista had been hearing Berksga and others arguing with others about his father, Rajak, chief of the Moose Tribe.The elk tribe still remains in the tundra of Icewind Dale, and Kista believes that Berksga intends to break away from this tribe.Berksga will lead the young warriors to re-establish the Grizzly tribe.They would roam the tundra, fighting for food and better settlements. Kista also knew that this was just his own speculation, so he quickly erased this thought from his mind.Birxgar wanted to be a complete barbarian leader, he wanted to emulate and surpass the legendary Wulfgar.Dividing the remaining barbarians would be contrary to his ideals.And now the number of barbarians in Icewind Dale cannot support the establishment of new tribes. What Wulfgar did was unite the scattered Horde. There may be other possibilities, but none of them seem to stand up to careful scrutiny. Birxja lifted his eyes from his prey with a broad smile.Although Kista was the son of Rejak, and there had been a lot of friction between him and the tribal leader, he was genuinely happy that Kista had become an adult.However, the tribal leader's right to rule will inevitably be challenged. This thought occupied Berksgar's thoughts as the hunting party approached the buckskin tents at the Horde camp, until he saw Bruenor Warhammer and another dwarf cleric, the Orator Reginclaw. "You don't belong here!" Burksgar immediately yelled at the dwarf leader at his loudest. "We should meet again in a happy mood," said Staples, who was not the type to wait for others to speak.She said to Berksga too, "Have you forgotten Bomin Valley? Have you forgotten our support for you?" "I don't talk about important things with women," said Birxgar dryly. Bruno reached out to block Starber who was about to explode. "I don't want to talk to you either. My pastor and I came here to visit Rejak, the leader of the Elk Tribe." Birxja breathed heavily from his nostrils.For a moment, Kista and the others thought he was going to charge Bruno.The dwarf also straightened up, and slapped the tomahawk with many gaping teeth with the palm of his hand, preparing for the attack of the barbarians. But Birxga was not stupid, and he calmed down quickly. "I am also the leader of the hunters of Icewind Dale. Tell me about you and get out of here!" Bruno sneered and walked past the proud savages into the tribal camp.Burks yelled and jumped in front of Bruno. "You were leader in Stonestone," said the red-bearded dwarf firmly. "You may have leadership here, but you may not. When we left, Regak was king here. As far as I know Rejak is still king here." Bruenor walked past the big man again, the dwarf's stern gray eyes fixed on him. Staples raised her head, but did not look at the tall savage. It was a painful meeting for Kista, who also loved Bruno and his barbarian tribe. ※※※※ The wind became weaker, and the Sea Spirit sailed eastward peacefully, the only sound on board was the occasional "creak" sound from the friction of the ship's planks.A pale full moon hangs in the sky, and her face is sometimes obscured by dark clouds. Katie sat on the dais where the ballista stood, making notes on parchment by the light of a candle.Drizzt was leaning against the rail, already rolling up his own parchment and putting it in his pocket.According to Deudermont's order, the six people who had seen the blind witch were to record the witch's poem from their memories.It was a small miracle that five of these six could write.Only Velan recounted what he had heard to Harkle and Robillar, who would record it separately, so as not to incorporate the personal views of one of them. Drizzt quickly finished recording.He was sure he had clearly recorded at least the most important parts of the poem.He understood that every word in a poem would become a necessary clue.But at that time, he was too excited to remember every detail of the witch's words.In the second line of the poem, the witch mentions Drizzt's father and hints that Zac Nafein may still be alive.It was all Drizzt could think of, all he wished to remember. Katie's records are more detailed and complete.But she was just as shocked at the time, so she couldn't be sure how accurate her record was. "I wish I could share a night like this with him." In the silence, Drizzt's voice was so abrupt that the young woman's pen almost pierced the thin parchment.She looked up at Drizzt and saw him holding his head up, gazing at the full moon in the sky. "Just one night is fine, Zach Nafein will definitely fall in love with this night on the surface." Katie smiled a little. She took Drizzt's word for it, and Drizzt had told her many times about his father.His soul is entirely inherited from this father, not his evil mother.Both of them are very similar in combat skills and mind.The only difference between them was that Drizzt had found the courage to leave Menzoberranzan, while Zaknafein had not.He remained among the evil Dark Elves, and eventually fell victim to the Spider Queen. "Sacrifice to Rose, get Rose's mercy." The line popped into Katie's mind.She read it aloud and it sounded right.So she looked back at the parchment, found that line, and found that she had written "for" by mistake in "to", and hurriedly corrected it. Every word counts. "I suspect that the danger I am facing now is greater than I have ever seen before." Drizzt was speaking to Katie, and at the same time he was admonishing himself. Katie noticed that he used "I" instead of "we" in his words.And she was already involved, so she had to figure out what Drizzt meant.But Drizzt's next words interrupted her train of thought. "You will find the darkest paths." Kitty realized that this was the second line immediately after the one just now.Drizzt said it again, but she barely heard it.She only noticed one word in it.The young woman stopped writing and looked up at Drow.He's leaving alone again! "That poem was for the two of us," Katie reminded him. "That dark path leads to my father," Drizzt replied, "a drow you have never seen." "Is that what you think?" Katie asked. "This path should be taken by me..." "And me," Katie said firmly, "you can't do this again!" She berated Drizzt loudly, "You once left me and almost ruined you and us all because of your stupidity! " Drizzt turned to stare at her.How much he loved her!He knew he couldn't refute her, that whatever arguments he made she could either refute them or ignore them. "I want to be with you, forever!" Katie's voice was unmoved. "I think Deudermont and Harkle, and maybe some others, will come too. Do you want to stop us? Drizzt Do'Urden!" Drizzt had just opened his mouth when he changed his mind.why not?Never would he have said to his friends, "Leave me alone on this dark path." Never. His eyes scanned the dark sea, the moon and the stars.His thoughts went back to Zach Nafein and the "golden ring" the witch had told him about. "It will take at least two weeks before we can return to Waterdeep City," he said anxiously. "Three weeks, if the wind doesn't pick up," said Kitty without looking up. It's not that far away.On the main deck, Harkle Hubbell rubbed his palms in distress.He was as anxious as Drizzt.He could hardly bear the thought of another two or three weeks of boring and nauseating touring at sea. "Fog of Fate." He said silently.This powerful magic brought him to the Sea Spirit for the first time.Now is the perfect opportunity to use this new spell again.