Chapter 29 preamble

Berksga is right. He was right to lead his people back to Icewind Dale, to the ways of their ancestors.Life in Hardstone might be easier for a barbarian.There they have more wealth, more food, better housing, and allies around to keep them safe.But on the vast tundra, it was their gods who chased the elk with them; their ancestors were buried in the brown frozen soil, and their souls were also conceived.In Stone Town, the barbarians are indeed much richer; but in the tundra, they are immortal. So Berksga's decision to return to Icewind Dale and his old life was the right one.But Wulfgar was right to unify the Horde and form an alliance with Ten-Towns and the dwarves.Wulfgar was not wrong in his inadvertent attempt to lead his people out of Icewind Dale in search of a better life.It's just that they may have been too far removed from the old way of life - the way of life in which the soul of the savage was placed.

Barbarian leaders identified by "blood or merit" gained power through open challenges, which is how they led when they came to power.By blood.Use the wisdom brought by age, use kinship with others to achieve the best governance effect; or use merit, use influence, use pure fighting ability to establish unshakable authority.Both Wulfgar and Birxgar came to leadership through merit - Wulfgar slayed the dragon Icefall; Birxgar took charge of Steinstone after Wulfgar's death.Although they are both rulers, Wulfgar's ruling method is closer to that of blood; Birxgar continues to rule by political achievements.Wulfgar always sought the best interests of his people.Whether his people follow his decisions, or deny him, pointing out to him the absurdity of them, he has absolute confidence in them.

Burksgar had no such trust, either in his people or in himself.He rules only by merit, force and deterrence.He made the right decision to return to Icewind Dale.His people recognized this and agreed with his decision.But he will never allow different voices to exist. So Birxga went astray.When he made a mistake, he couldn't correct it.Restoring the old doesn't mean having to throw away the benefits of the new change.The best choice is often somewhere in between.Regak and many elders in the tribe knew this.But these dissidents were completely inactive under Birxga, because they were not powerful enough, and therefore they were not fully trusted.

Many others in the Horde, mostly young and old, were overwhelmed by Wulfgar's strength and boldness.Their blood is hot, and their souls fly high in the sky. What I'm afraid of is the day they fall. A better path would be to restore the old life, while remaining true to the alliance Wulfgar had made.This is the way of blood, the way of wisdom. Berksga leads by merit, not blood.He led his people along the old ways and re-established the old enemies. This is a path of sorrow. — Drizzt Do'Urden