Chapter 13 Chapter Ten Old Friends

He walked through narrow tunnels and caverns so wide that there was no end in sight in any direction.He ran across muddy puddles and bare stone surfaces without a splash or footstep.Every step Drizzt Do'Urden took into the tunnels of the Underdark brought back a little memory of his days in the wild, his days as a hunter. He had to find that inner self, the primitive savage in his heart, the self who could clearly hear the call of instinct.In the wilds of the Underdark, there is no time for rational analysis, only time for intuitive reactions. Drizzt hated having to succumb to the wild, he hated the whole journey and yet had to keep going.If he fails, if he falls in the wilderness before he reaches Menzoberranzan, his adventures will turn against his friends.Even though he was dead, and the dark elves knew nothing about it, they would still attack Mithril Hall.For Bruno's sake, for Regis's sake, for dear Catti-brie's sake, Drizzt must go on, must become the original Hunter again.

He climbed up to the high ceiling of the corridor for his first nap, and took a short nap.He was hanging upside down, his calf wedged in a narrow slit, his fingers hooked to his belt against the machete. After only an hour of dozing off, an echo in a distant passage woke him up.There was a slight sound, perhaps the sound of footsteps in the mud.Drizzt remained motionless, feeling the disturbance in the still air, listening to the subtle reverberations, and accurately guessing where the sound came from. He pulled his legs out and jumped to the ground, the toes of his soft boots first struck the ground to dissipate the impact, allowing him to stand on the ground silently.He ran away, carefully avoiding those echoes, hoping that there would be no more surprises before reaching the drow city.

With every step forward he became more confident.His instincts came back, along with memories of living alone in the wilds of the Underdark.He came to another piece of mud, the breath was warm, and the hot water gushed out and gurgled.Damp, shimmering stalactites and stalagmites, glowing warmly in the drow's heat-sensitive eyes, dotted the place, turning the one-way tunnel into a virtual maze. Drizzt recognized it, remembered it from his travels to the surface world.It both comforted him and shuddered him.He's glad he's still on the road, but he can't deny that he still has fear because he's still on the road.He let the sound of the water guide him, knowing he would find the right path right above the hot spring.

The air was getting hotter and soon unbearable, but Drizzt was still wearing his cloak and wrapping it tightly, he didn't want to touch anything but the machete in his hand in this dangerous place . And the drow knew that this place was indeed dangerous.All kinds of monsters were hiding behind the stone peak, and Drizzt made a lot of noise when he stepped through the deeper and deeper mud.As soon as he stood on one foot and stepped forward, the mud flowed up and stuck to his boot, and when he lifted the stuck foot, he would inevitably make a squeaking sound.Once this happened, Drizzt stopped and lifted his foot slowly.Try to silence the noise.But he immediately understood that the noise he heard was not the noise his feet could make.

Drizzt looked around quickly, calculating the air temperature and the intensity of the stalagmite's light.The footsteps grew louder, and Drizzt realized that this was not a small group approaching.He scanned all the side passages.Immediately concluded that this unit did not bring lights. Drizzt ducked under a slender stalactite, its point barely four feet above the ground.He knelt down under the stalactites, drew the cloak around his knees in a cone, being careful not to make any obvious protrusions like extending his feet too far or anything, and sat up straight.Then, he looked up at the stalactite to figure out its shape.He raised his hand to reach its tip, and straightened his hands to form a cup to hold the stalactite, blending with its shape and making sure that the tip was still the thinnest point.

He closed his eyes, tucked his head between his arms, and adjusted his posture a few times, finding his balance and smoothing his outline. Drizzt turned into a stalagmite. He soon heard chirping and squeaking voices, and he recognized the voices of goblins all around him.He only took a sneak peek to make sure they weren't carrying any light sources.How conspicuous he would be if a torch had passed by! However, the method of concealment in the lightless Underdark is quite different from that of a forest, even a nocturnal forest.The trick here was how to blur the distinctive contours of body heat, and Drizzt was confident that the surrounding air and stalagmites were as hot as the outside of his cloak.

He heard the goblins' footsteps close at hand, and knew that the horde of goblins—Drizzt believed there were at least twenty of them—was around him.He waited for the moment when they shot at him, ready to draw out the scimitar as quickly as possible.As long as a goblin touched him, the deception would be over, and he would have to do it quickly, break through their ranks, and try to get away by the time they found out the truth. The moment has not come.The goblins continued on their way, past stalactites and stalagmites, and a drow that wasn't stone. Drizzt opened his violet eyes, and within shone was the hunter's inner fire.He remained motionless for a long time, and after making sure that there were no stray soldiers left behind, he quietly ran away.

※※※※ Catti-brie knew immediately that Drizzt had killed the six-legged, tentacled leopard-like beast.Kneeling beside the corpse, she recognized the arc-shaped cut marks, and there was no doubt that no one else could perform such a clean and neat killing move. "It's Drizzt," she murmured to Guenhwyvar, and the panther let out a low growl. "Less than two days." The dead monster reminded her how vulnerable she was.If Drizzt, who was good at stealth and familiar with the Underdark, was forced to fight, how could she hope to get through unscathed? Catti-brie leaned on the panther's flank, trying to find something to lean on.She couldn't keep Guenhuffa by her side for too long, she knew that.The magic big cat is a creature belonging to the astral world, and must often return there to rest.It meant that Catti-brie was going to be left alone in the tunnel, she was going to leave the cave without the big cats by her side, but the first few steps made her nervous.In this strange land, she needs the real support of her big cat friend.As the day wore on, Catti-brie more or less acclimatized to her surroundings, intending to have Guenhuffa sent back as soon as the trails became more apparent, as soon as the side roads were few.It seemed that they had found such a place, but at the same time they also found the corpse.

Catti-brie moved quickly, making Gwanhayfer close beside her.She knew that she should let the black panther go back instead of exacerbating Guan Haifa's physical exertion, just in case she needed the big cat's support at a critical moment.But she excused her procrastination, for she believed that many scavengers, or other six-legged leopards, might be around. Twenty minutes later, the surrounding tunnel was pitch black and silent, and the young woman stopped to regain her courage.Repatriating Guenhwyvar was one of the bravest things Catti-brie has ever done.When the mists cleared and Catti-brie put the statue back in her bag, she was really glad to have Alustriel's present for her.

She is alone in the Underdark, walking alone in underground tunnels full of deadly enemies.But at least she could see apparitions of starlight—beautiful even against gray rock—and it lifted her heart. Catti-brie took a deep breath to calm herself.She thought of Wulfgar, and swore to herself again that she would never lose any more friends.Drizzt needed her; she must not be intimidated by fear. She picked up the heart-shaped locket and held it tightly in her palm, letting the warmth of magic lead her to the right path.She set off again, forcing herself to step forward step by step, gradually moving away from the sunny world.

※※※※ After passing the hot spring area, Drizzt quickened his pace. He now remembered how to go, and how many kinds of enemies he had to be careful to avoid. Day after day has passed without incident, and the drow who are on their way have been walking for a week and two days.It took Drizzt more than a month to walk from Blingdenstone to the surface world. The underground gnome city was about forty to fifty miles west of Menzoberranzan.But now, because he believed that the crisis was approaching Mithril Hall, he made up his mind to shorten the time to arrive. He came to the winding and narrow tunnel, and saw a familiar fork in the road. One corridor cut to the north, and the other road continued to extend west.Drizzt guessed that going north was a shortcut that would allow him to get to the drow city faster, but he still chose the west passage, hoping to find more information on the more familiar road, and he also Secretly wishing that I might run into old friends along the way. He continued on for a few days, but now he often stopped to put his ear to the stone, expecting to hear a rhythmic clicking sound.Drizzt knew that Blingdenstone was not far away, and that the gnome miners might be nearby.Still the caverns were silent, and Drizzt began to realize his time was running out.He thought about going directly to the underground gnome city, but decided to cancel this trip.He had spent too long on the road, and it was time to approach Menzoberranzan. An hour later, Drizzt's keen ears picked up a distant commotion as he cautiously turned a turn in a low corridor outlined by glowing moss.At first he laughed, thinking he had encountered those elusive dwarf miners, but, as he listened on, he heard the clash of metal and iron, and even a cry, and his expression changed. A battle is not far away. Drizzt broke into a run, the growing echoes guiding his steps.He ran into a dead end and had to turn back, but was soon on the right track, both swords in hand.He came to a fork in the road. One of the two passages went up steeply, but both seemed to lead in the same direction, and both echoed with battle cries. Drizzt took the straight path, and sprinted forward.Turning a corner he saw the exit and knew he was above the battlefield.He stepped out of the passage with ease and onto the ledge, which was twenty feet above the floor of the wide cavern below.The ground of the cave hall is pitted, and there are pinnacles dotted around.Below, the figures of Snebli and the drow were all mixed together. Snebli and drow!Drizzt fell back against the rock face, two scimitars slid down his side.He knew that the Snebli, that is, the subterranean gnomes were not evil creatures, and he also knew that the drow must have provoked this battle, and there was probably an ambush waiting for this team of gnomes to dig.Drizzt's heart screamed for him to jump down to aid the crushed gnomes, but he couldn't do it.He had fought drow, he had killed drow, but never in his sanity.Those were his countrymen, his blood relatives.In case, there will be another Zaknafein in it?Will there be another Drizzt Do'Urden? A dark elf in hot pursuit of a wounded gnome climbed a right pile, only to discover it was a living rock, an earth elemental, an ally of the gnome.Huge stone arms strangled the dark elf and crushed him, the earth elemental not paying attention to the insignificant scratches the blade made on his natural rock armor. Drizzt flinched at the disgusting sight, but took some comfort in seeing the gnomes stand their ground.The earth elemental turned slowly, knocking over a stalagmite blocking the way, and crushing what remained on the ground. Gathering behind their giant allies, the gnomes managed to regroup amidst the chaos.As they charged forward, many gnomes joined the attacking main team through the winding maze of rock, while the dark elves retreated from the dangerous giant.A stocky dwarf, whom Drizzt guessed was the head of the mines, yelled to go straight through the cavern. Drizzt crouched on the ledge.From his vantage point he could see trained drow warriors surrounding the gnomes, hiding behind pinnacles on the flanks.Another team dived to the farther exit, the destination of the gnomes, occupying a strategic location.If the earth elemental can withstand the attack, then the gnomes may still rush out, and then, once they enter the tunnel, the earth elemental will be cut off, and then go straight to Blingdenstone. Three drow women stepped out, facing the giant.Drizzt sighed as he saw them in their unmistakable spider-patterned robes, admiration for the goddess Lolth.He recognized them as priests, probably high priests, and knew there was no escape for the gnomes. One by one, the women chanted incantations and waved their hands forward, shooting a fine mist.When the water vapor hits the earth element of which the rock is built, it begins to dissolve, and streaks of mud replace the formerly solid rock. The priests continued to cast spells and continued to attack.Roaring furiously, the stone giant rushed forward, its body twisted and deformed by the continuous sliding mud. A blast of water mist hit it completely, and a column of mud rushed out of its chest.But the priest who cast the spell was too confident in the attack to back off in time, and a stone arm swung out to break her bones, throwing her into the air and colliding with a stalagmite. The remaining two drow priests attacked again, melting off its legs.The earth element fell down helplessly.It tried to reassemble its limbs immediately, but the priests continued their deadly spray.Seeing that his allies were defeated, the gnome leader ordered an attack, and the subterranean gnomes rushed forward.A priestess was brought down by the gnomes before the drow circle tightened like a biting stomach.Once again the fight turned into a melee for all members, this time directly below Drizzt Do'Urden. His breath became short of breath as he watched a dwarf being hacked back and forth by three drow, falling, screaming, dying on the ground. Drizzt stopped making excuses.He could tell right from wrong, and he knew how significant the presence of Lolth's priests was.Flames slowly ignited in his lavender eyes, and he drew out his two knives, flashing a blue light of life. He recognized the last priest just below and to his left.She stood beside a tall and slender pinnacle, and touched a subterranean dwarf with her hand.The dwarf made no move towards her, but stood moaning, trembling under the priest's magical attack.Black energy crackled up her arms as the life force was sucked from the hapless victim. Drizzt jumped out, tucking Flash under his other arm.When falling quickly, he hooked the top of the tall thin stone pillar and spun half a circle.He jumped down beside the priest, weapon in hand at the ready. The startled drow woman issued a series of harsh orders, apparently considering Drizzt as a companion.The flash plunged into her heart. The half-squeezed dwarf looked at Drizzt curiously, then passed out.Drizzt continued to run, shouting a warning to the gnomes in deepgnome that the dark elves had taken the far exit.The ranger was careful not to show himself, knowing full well that the dwarves he encountered would attack him and the drow he encountered would recognize him. He tried not to think about what he had just done, how the woman's eyes were so similar to his sister Verna's. He walked with difficulty, leaning against a stone pillar, and the sound of fighting filled his ears.A dwarf leaped from behind the stalagmite, swinging his hammer menacingly, and before Drizzt could plead his innocence, a drow flashed sideways to stand beside Drizzt. The dwarf suddenly hesitated, looking left and right to find a way out, and the new opponent rushed at him. Responding entirely on instinct, Drizzt slashed at the drow's arm, cutting deep with the machete.The dark-skinned elf long sword dropped his hand, turned sideways and looked back in horror at the drow who was not his companion.The startled drow looked back in bewilderment, just as he saw a gnome's sledgehammer smashed into his face. Of course, the dwarf didn't understand what was going on.When the dark elf in front of him fell, all he could think about was how to hit the second one with the hammer.However, Drizzt left long ago. After the drow priests were slain, a deep gnome shaman ran to the fallen earth elemental.He placed a stone on top of the rubble, broke it with the pickaxe, and began chanting the incantation.Soon the elemental re-formed, as gigantic as before, moving awkwardly like a rolling avalanche in search of foes.The wizard watched it go, but he should have taken care of himself, for a dark elf had slipped up behind him, mace aloft, ready to kill with one blow. The wizard realized the danger at the moment when the mace fell—and was held up by a machete. Drizzt pushed the wizard away and faced the startled drow. friend?The other party asked quickly, gesturing. Drizzt shook his head, and Flash swung the mace aside.The ranger's other scimitar followed the same cutting path and made a crisp sound when it collided with the mace, and it was picked far to the left. Drizzt's surprise advantage was not as great as expected, and the elf's left hand had slipped to his waist to draw a thin dagger.The new weapon thrust out from between the folds of the daemon's cloak, straight for Drizzt's heart, and the evil elf smirked smugly. Drizzt turned to the right, took a step back to avoid it, swung the scimitar in his left hand and swung it downwards, hooking the dagger handle to the outside.He turned with the knife, his back pressed against the enemy's chest, and he folded the opponent's arm in front of him.The hostile drow took up a mace and tried to hit Drizzt from the side, but Drizzt was not only better positioned than him, but also faster than him.Drizzt slid away with a side step, elbowed back, and hit the opponent's face, once, twice, in succession. Drizzt shook off the opponent's hand holding the dagger, and wittily turned in the opposite direction, flashing upwards, blocking the incoming mace.Drizzt rushed out with the other, and the hilt hit his opponent in the face. The opposing drow wobbled to his feet, but he was too dazed to see.Flash whirled and struck, sending the mace flying into the air, and Drizzt struck again with his left hand, and the hilt of Flash hit the drow in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. Drizzt looked at the dwarf wizard, who was dumbfounded and gripped his hammer nervously.The battle around them has turned into a rout for one side, as the reborn earth elementals lead the gnomes to final victory. Two more dwarfs ran up to the wizard, staring at Drizzt in confusion and fear.Drizzt paused for a while, thinking about the subterranean language, which has the graceful rhythms of the surface elves and the sonorous words of the dwarves. "I'm not an enemy." He said, lowering his swords to prove his words. The drow lying on the ground groaned.A dwarf rushed past him, pointing his pickaxe at the back of the dark elf's head. "No!" Drizzt yelled, running forward and bending over to stop the fatal blow. Drizzt straightened suddenly, pain burning up his back.He saw a dwarf kill a dazed drow, but he could no longer see the carnage before him as a series of light stings burst up his spine.Some kind of stick with a flat end hit his spine like a plank had been thrown there. It was over, and Drizzt stood motionless for what seemed like a long time.His legs were numb and painful, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep, and then he felt completely numb from the waist down.He tried hard to stand still, but he staggered and fell down, lying on the cold stone surface, panting non-stop. He knew that the blackness of unconsciousness—or the deeper, everlasting darkness—was coming to him, and he was beginning to lose consciousness, unable to remember where this place was or why he had come here. But he heard the shaman's words, and Drizzt's last flicker of consciousness was terrified by the shaman's words. "kill him."