R. Salvatore - The Companions

The Year of the Awakened Sleepers (1484 DR) Kelvins Cairn

The stars reached down to him, like so many times before in this enchanted place.

He was on Bruenors Climb, though he didnt know how he had arrived there. Guenhwyvar was beside him, leaning against him, supporting his shattered leg, but he didnt remember calling to her.

Of all the places Drizzt had ever traveled, none had felt more comforting than here. Perhaps it. He noted I someone had been the company he had so often found up here, but even without Bruenor beside him, this place, this lone peak rising above the flat, dark tundra, had ever brought a spiritual sustenance to Drizzt DoUrden. Up here, he felt small and mortal, but at the same time, confident that he was part of something much larger, of something eternal.

On Bruenors Climb, the stars reached down to him, or he lifted up among them, floating free of his physical restraints, his spirit rising and soaring among the celestial spheres. He could hear the sound of the great clockwork up here, could feel the celestial winds in his face and could melt into the ether.

It was a place of the deepest meditation for Drizzt, a place where he understood the great cycle of life and death.

A place that seemed fitting now, as the blood continued to flow from the wound in his forehead.

The Year of the First Circle (1468 DR) Netheril

A dusty sunset filled the western sky with stripes of pink and orange hanging above the endless plain, a reminder that this region was once, not long ago, the vast magical desert known as Anauroch. The advent of Shadow, then the trauma of the great Spellplague, had transformed this region of Toril somewhat, but the stubborn nature of Anaurochs enchantment of barrenness had not allowed all that had been to be so easily washed away. There was more rain here now, perhaps, and more vegetation, and the drifting white sands had settled to a dirtier hue of earthen brown, as renewed flora grasped and held.

The dusty sunset, however common, served as a warning to the newcomers to the region, particularly the Netherese of Shade Enclave, that what once was might some day be again. To the nomadic Bedine, such sights rekindled their ancestral tales, a reminder of the life their predecessors had known before the transformation of their ancient homeland.

The two Shadovar agents making their way west across the plain hardly gave the sunset a thought, though, and certainly didnt dwell on any deeper implications as to the skys coloring, for their months of intensive investigation seemed at last to be coming to fruition, and so their eyes were firmly rooted on the road ahead.

Why would anyone live out here? asked Untaris, the larger of the pair, the brawn to Alpirss brain, so it was said. Grass and wind, sandstorms, phaerimm and asabi, and other such monsters. The muscular shade warrior shook his head and spat down from his pinto horse to the ground.

Alpirs DeNoutess laughed at the remark, but wasnt about to disagree. The Bedine are ever blinded by their pride in their traditions.

They do not understand that the world has changed, Untaris said.

Oh, but they do, my friend, Alpirs replied. What they do not understand is that there is nothing they can do about it. To serve Netheril is their only course, but some, like the Desai who camp before us, think that if they just remain far enough out from the civilized cities of Netheril, among the lions and the phaerimm, we will not bother too greatly with them. He gave a little laugh at his own words. Usually, they are right.

But no more, Untaris declared.

Not for the Desai, Alpirs agreed. Not if what we have come to believe about the child is true.

As he finished, Alpirs nodded and not to Icewind Dale.r5N3 to the south, where a lone tent shuddered against the unrelenting wind. He kicked his chestnut mare into a trot and made a straight line for it, Untaris close behind. A solitary figure clad in an ankle-length robe of white cotton emerged from the tent at the sound of their approach. The collar of the Bedine mans garment was round in design and set with a large button and tassel, signifying the Desai tribe, and like most of the Bedine in this region, the man wore a sleeveless coat, called an aba, striped in brown and red.

Long have I waited, the man said as the two riders approached, his leathery, windblown and sun-drenched face peeking out at them from inside the frame of his white kufiya head scarf. Pay well, you will!

Sounds angry, as usual, the Bedine dog, Untaris whispered, but Alpirs had a remedy already in hand.

Well enough? Alpirs asked the Bedine informant and he reached out with his hand, holding a crown of camel hair and woven gold, an igal fit for a chieftain. Despite the legendary bargaining prowess of the Bedine, the older mans eyes betrayed him, sparkling at the sight.

Alpirs dismounted, Untaris close behind, and walked his horse over to the robed figure.

Well met, Jhinjab, he said with a bow, presenting the precious igal-which he pulled back immediately as the Bedine reached for it.

You approve of the payment, I take it? Alpirs said with a wry grin.

In response, Jhinjab reached up and touched his own igal, which secured the kufiya upon his head. It was a weathered, black affair, once woven with precious metals, but now little more than fraying camel hair. To the Bedine, the igal spoke of stature, of pride.

De girl is in de camp, he said in his heavy Bedine accent. Every word was spoken crisply, distinctly, and efficiently-to keep the blowing sand out of their mouths, Alpirs had once explained to Untaris. De camp is over de ridge in de east, Jhinjab explained. My work be done. He reached for the igal once more, but Alpirs kept it just out of his grasp.

And how old is this girl?

She is de little thing, Jhinjab replied, holding his hand out just below waist level.

How old?

The Bedine stared at him hard. Four? Five?

Think, my friend, it is important, said Alpirs.

Jhinjab closed his eyes, his lips moving, and a few words, a reference to an event or a hot summer, occasionally slipped forth. Five, den, he said. Just five, in de spring.

Alpirs couldnt contain his grin, and he looked to the similarly smiling Untaris.

Sixty-three, Untaris said, counting back the years.

The two Shadovar nodded and exchanged smiles.

My igal, Jhinjab said, reaching for the item. But again, Alpirs pulled it back from him.