1His Father's
Eyes Cattie Brie, Wulfgar, Bruenor, Regis,
Montolio, all of these are names of those who have helped me out and
guided me during my life. To this list there is another name equally
as precious, though remembering it is bittersweet:
Zaknafein. Zaknafein was my teacher and my mentor, the one who
I spent so many happy days with when I was a child and did not yet
understand the ways of my people. The two of us were kindred spirits.
In a world where friendships were broken easily for personal gain,
ours was the rare exception. Zaknafein gave his life for me
not just once, but twice. Often I have thought back to those times.
The first time he gave up his life as a sacrifice to Lloth, the
Spider Queen, in my place, the second time as Malice's undead
creation sent to destroy me. Despite the seeming impossibility, he
gained control over his body for long enough to ensure his own
destruction rather than mine. Both times he acted completely
selflessly, for my sake. What drove him to do such a thing
for me? If our roles were switched I hope that I would have done the
same for him that he might have had a chance at a better life. All
the same I have to wonder, what exactly were his thoughts? What did
he expect me to do and where did he expect me to go after he was
gone? I know he would have been proud of who I am now and how far I
have come from the child he once taught. Still, I would give much to
hear such words from his own mouth, to have his reassurances directly
from him rather than from my imagination. I cannot remember
the color of my father's eyes. Perhaps I never knew, or never paid
enough attention to make a mental note of it. The only color I know
and can remember is the faint red which his eyes showed when he used
infravision. What color his eyes might have appeared as on the
surface world is now forever lost to me. The color of his eyes … it
seems like such a small thing until I think about how many other
seemingly trivial things I never knew or have forgotten about
Zaknafein which made him the drow that he was. It occurs to me then
that perhaps I did not understand him so very well at all. There
are hundreds of questions that I now long to ask him, this drow who
was my father and shaped the course of my destiny. Alas, these are
questions that I will never be able to ask him. As much as I may
lament it, Zaknafein shall ever remain a mystery to me. Perhaps one
day, after I have passed from this world I will meet him again and I
will be able to look into his eyes and know. Until such a
time I can only hope that, wherever he is, Zaknafein is resting in
peace.
Over my
time both in the Underdark and on the surface world, I have made a
variety of friends. Though few in number compared to that which other
mortals might count, I consider each one of them to be extremely
precious. Each one has judged me based on who I am and my actions
rather than what I am.
- Drizzt Do'Urden