This story is supposed to take place several years after The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, and I apologize in advance if it clashes with the future storyline. The final book in the trilogy is obviously not out yet, and I don't know what happens in it. This story assumes that Catti-brie and Drizzt finally accepted their love for each other and married.
Obviously I don't own The Forgotten Realms or Drizzt and his friends. Those belong to Ed Greenwood and the inimitable R. A. Salvatore. This story is purely for my amusement and no money is being made from it. Enjoy the show!
Lost Soul
Chapter 1
Drizzt finished tying the extra bedroll to his pack and looked around his and Catti-brie's now empty room. The colorful hangings that Cat had picked out had been removed along with the elegant furnishings she had somehow acquired. Her clothes and personal items had long since been taken away to storage, and Cutter had been locked in a secure armory for safety's sake. Their homey apartment had been reduced to a rather sterile environment, devoid of personal touches.
It was empty, like the rest of his life. No, he shook his head you still have Tyrael and Guenhwyvar. But the others had gone. One gods awful battle had taken both Wulfgar and his dear Catti-brie. That had been a year past. The double blow had shattered Bruenor; one week ago he had finally just given up and passed on too. Regis had left for Calimport years before, just after the wedding. Now Drizzt was alone, it seemed, in a complex filled with more than a thousand dwarves.
No! You will not abandon Tyrael for your own self-pity! He focused his wavering thoughts on his four-year-old son, Catti-brie's son, and calmed himself. He determined to live for the child who had been borne of his love for one beautiful and indomitable woman. But he would not live here. This place was too full of hurtful memories. He had tried for Bruenor's sake, but there was no reason to remain now.
There were only a few hours until dawn; it would be best if they left soon. He considered the travel pack. It was filled with anything he could think of that he and Tyrael might need. He strapped on his weapons belt with its magical scimitars and checked his pouch to make sure he had Guen's onyx figurine. Then he swung the pack into place on his back and walked to the closet. Inside rested Taulmaril, Catti-brie's magical bow, along with its enchanted quiver. Drizzt was unsure if he could bring himself to use the powerful weapon, it truly belonged with Cat, but he wanted Tyrael to have it when he was old enough. He slid the bow and quiver over his shoulder and they nestled there next to his rucksack.
Finally satisfied with his preparations, he stalked silently next door to his son's room. His breath caught with wonder as he opened the portal and saw his slumbering son. That he had a child always amazed him. Tyrael lay curled on his side with his covers thrown off of his little body. Although his skin was not quite black and his hair was a shade darker than his father's white mane, there was no mistaking the child's ancestry. The angular features and slightly pointed ears marked him as half-elven, and his coloring identified that half as drow. His eyes, when opened, even shared his father's lavender hue.
Drizzt sighed. He had sometimes wished that his son looked more like his mother, now especially, since he missed her so, but their son's appearance had delighted Cat. She insisted it meant that he would have the same noble spirit and exacting skills as his father. Drizzt allowed himself a small smile. At least the boy got his fire and stubbornness from his mother.
"You're leaving then."
Drizzt turned around to face Delly, Wulfgar's widow. "I cannot stay."
She looked at him reproachfully. "Colson will be missing her uncle. And her cousin."
His eyes lowered for a second. When they rose again Delly found that she could not dismiss the pain and loneliness etched into those lavender orbs.
"Well then. If ye cannot stay, when will you come back?"
Drizzt returned his gaze to his son. "I do not know that I will ever return to this place, Delly. You will be well. Clan Battlehammer will take care of you both."
"Not to doubting, but where will you go?"
"I am not sure. Southwest I think; someplace where I won't see Cat everywhere I turn."
Delly shook her head slightly, but accepted the fact that this was a problem only he could work through. "I wish you both well then. At least say goodbye to Colson; this will be difficult enough on her without you both just disappearing."
Drizzt was forced to acknowledge her point. He padded into the room to wake his son so they could say farewell.
X X X X X X
Drizzt watched the sun rise over the horizon from his favorite lookout point for what he expected to be the last time. Even the glorious colors that had so entranced him since he first came to the surface seemed unable to banish the ghosts that still haunted him. There was an obvious reason; Catti-brie had first kissed him here on this cliff.
"Ilharn," Tyrael jolted his father out of his private contemplations, "are we going to find momma?" Tyrael watched his father with hope filled eyes.
Drizzt closed his own eyelids in pain and shook his head, "No, ussta dalharuk. Momma is gone and can't ever come back. We are going to find a new home." He lifted the discarded pack and placed the burden back on his shoulders.
"Oh." Tyrael looked confused but nodded his acceptance anyway.
Drizzt smiled encouragingly and took the boy's small hand inside his own sword-callused one. Then he gently guided his son down the trail and away from Mithril Hall.
X X X X X X
They crossed the Moonwood without incident; the elves there were well used to Drizzt's comings and goings. Although he did not wish to see Alustriel at this point, Drizzt was forced to stop in Silverymoon. He believed a horse would make traveling much easier on Tyrael, and the only place nearby that could be expected to have a good one was in the shining city.
Tyrael had not been in Silverymoon since he was two years old and consequently was in awe of the fabulous place. He gawked and the varying multitude that filled the well-groomed streets and watched as the assorted merchants showed off their fine wares. Virtually every race in Fâerun was represented in the structured avenues and Tyrael stared at them all.
Of course Drizzt's reputation was well known in this city and only a few of the visitors bothered to stare at the ranger. The same was not so for Tyrael. With Drizzt standing right next to him it was obvious who fathered the boy, but very few had actually seen the ranger's son and the novelty garnered their attention.
Tyrael pulled at his father's cloak. "Ilharn, why are they looking at me?"
Drizzt looked down and considered his son. The lad was clearly uneasy. "Do not worry, little one, they are just curious. They will not harm you."
The boy was not mollified. He held tight to his father's hand and glared back at the watchers, daring them to try something. Drizzt chuckled at his son's spirited display. "Just stay close to me, alright?"
Tyrael nodded and tightened his grip. Again the ranger laughed softly and gave the little half-elf a one-armed hug as they continued towards the horse fair.
When they arrived at the fair even Drizzt was taken somewhat aback by the apparent pandemonium. Strings of glossy horses scattered across the area and their owners called out to the assembled crowds, vying for attention. Scores of people walked the area, and the dust raised from their pacing stung the sensitive eyes of the two drow.
The ranger took a deep breath and scanned the nearby pickets for a suitable mount. He wanted a younger horse, preferably a gelding, built for speed and endurance. If they were attacked on the road he intended to be able to escape quickly; a fight was no place for a four-year-old. It took awhile to locate an appropriate beast; most of the assembled horses were draft animals meant for hauling the heavy merchant wagons.
Drizzt finally spotted a horse that he thought would serve well. It was a dark gray gelding whose coloring faded almost to black at his points. Drizzt approached the creature slowly and held up his hand so that it could learn his scent. Gently he stroked the animal's muscled neck and then looked into the gelding's eyes communicating his needs and desires to the horse. The creature snorted and then rested his muzzle on the ranger's shoulder.
"Well, I think you'll do then." Drizzt patted the horse and turned to find the merchant standing behind him with arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"Ranger Do'Urden? It is indeed an honor to meet you." The merchant held out his hand and Drizzt shook it gratefully. "I take it you are looking for a mount?"
Drizzt smiled. "Yes, and this gelding would appear to be suitable. How much are you asking for him?" They began haggling the cost and finally settled on a price that included tack as well. Drizzt handed over the coins and thanked the man.
The merchant looked at the ranger's bulging pack and then glanced down at Tyrael, considering. "Where are you bound, if I may ask?"
"Westward I think. I have not yet decided."
The merchant's eyes lit up. "I am taking a caravan to Sundabar. We leave tomorrow, and I could use an extra guard. It might be good for you to travel with a larger group as well," he said looking significantly at the little half-drow. "Would you be willing to join us?"
Drizzt followed the merchant's gaze to his son and thought about it. It would be safer, and the caravan was headed in the right direction. And it was possible that they would be out of Silverymoon before Lady Alustriel realized he was in the city. The ranger agreed.
X X X X X X
The merchant, whose name was Cumber, invited the two drow to spend the night at the same inn that the rest of the caravan patronized. The caravan drivers awoke for an early start the next morning, and the group started quickly on its way, having never drawn Lady Alustriel's attention. Drizzt found a place for Tyrael on a wagon in the center of the surprisingly long caravan. The ranger paced steadily alongside the wagon on his new horse; for once, content to let someone else do the scouting as he helped his son get used to the traveling accommodations.
Tyrael was in fine spirits, having rested well the night before, and he peppered the driver with questions about the road, the horses, the wagons, and anything else that grabbed his attention. The driver had children of his own and was quite willing to indulge the half-elf's curiosity. Drizzt decided this would be an amusing trip.
A few hours later Tyrael asked to ride with his father. Drizzt had no objection; he wanted Tyrael to get used to riding double with him. The little half-elf settled happily into the saddle just in front of his father.
"Have you named the horse yet, ilharn?"
"No, little one. What do you think he should be named?"
"How about Panther?"
Drizzt laughed. "I think Guenhwyvar might take exception to having a horse named after her. Can you think of something else?"
Tyrael chewed his lip, apparently in deep thought. "Dove, then?"
Drizzt laughed again. "I know a ranger that goes by that name; it might get confusing. What about Wraith?"
"What is a wraith?"
"A wraith is a spirit that comes when someone is ready to go to the higher planes. It helps guide the passing spirit out of its old life and into the new."
The gelding whickered and threw its head up and down emphatically. Both drow laughed at this display.
"I think he likes it, daddy!" They continued chuckling for several minutes, thoroughly enjoying the beautiful day. Tyrael quieted again after awhile.
"Ilharn, did a wraith come for momma?"
Drizzt wrapped a heavy arm around his son's waist and pulled him close nestling his chin in his son's hair. "Perhaps, my little one. Perhaps one did."
X X X X X X
After a few days travel Drizzt felt comfortable enough to leave Tyrael with the wagon to do some scouting. Wraith adapted easily to the new work and enjoyed the brief runs between their scouting positions and the front of the line. When they returned to make one report, Cumber cautioned Drizzt about the upcoming pass.
"It's a deep gully with cliffs and high piles of rocks on either side. The only way the wagons can go is straight through that pass, but if there's a more perfect set up for bandits I've not seen it. The region will have to be well searched before we dare take the rest of the caravan through it." The ranger nodded his understanding, so the merchant continued, "I will bow to your expertise in this matter, ranger. Take whatever men you think you may need and clear that pass for us."
Drizzt left Cumber and gathered several of the men he had identified as having good stealth skills. They left their horses and continued ahead on foot. If there were bandits in the pass Drizzt intended to ambush them, but first the ranger had to find them.
A couple of hours later Drizzt was crouched in hiding over one of the two bandit camps they had found. The two groups seemed to be working together, having one group stationed on each side of the pass, and both troops well concealed from the road. There was a large set of rocks and boulders near the smaller, northern group that teetered on the edge of the cliffs just over the trail. The group on the southern side of the gully was stationed a good bit west from the other party.
Drizzt figured the northern bandits were supposed to attack the caravan when the front of the line reached them, and block the pass. The group on the southern side would then attack the rear of the wagons and cut off any retreat. Due to the nature of the valley, any attempt by the guards to storm the bandit's positions would be easily halted by the thieves' bows. The caravan would have to surrender or be slaughtered. It was a simple strategy, but highly effective.
Drizzt smiled grimly. It would be effective if there were not a decidedly determined ranger traveling with the wagons. He studied the terrain and the thieves' arrangements. The guards would either have to take one group silently (not an easy thing to do with the gully amplifying any sounds) and then get the other, or attack both groups at the same time, which would not be easy to coordinate.
The ranger sat back on his heels and considered the five bandits who were supposed to block the trail. They were a fair distance away from their compatriots. Drizzt smiled again and checked his belt pouch, which contained a certain, onyx figurine. Then he silently left the area to go organize his counter strike.
Yes, I'm cruel; I know. Don't worry; there will be plenty of action in the next chapter (and Guen will make an appearance too). Feel free to correct me if you ever find any inconsistencies with Salvatore's books; I will correct those. If there's a problem having to do with the D & D universe do not be surprised if I don't fix it. I tend to only read Salvatore's work, and I am not going to worry about details that I have no interest in learning. Feel free to complain about them if you want to though; I won't mind.
If you see any spelling or grammar errors please notify me at once! Bad grammar is one of my pet peeves, and I will correct any mistakes immediately. Feel free to flame; I find complaints rather enlightening. I hope you enjoy the story.
Drow words: Ilharn- father
Ussta dalharuk- my son