Chapter 2
Drizzt spent the remainder of his evening with the young man, who had a good many good tales to tell. Drizzt listened to them all with intrigue. The boy looked to be no more 19 and already he was as world wise as Drizzt, perhaps more so.
"So, you are a ranger?" Drizzt asked. Dontae paused and lifted his eyes from the food he was eating.
"Forgive me if I asked something I should not of." Drizzt added quickly seeing the reaction.
Dontae shook his head. "No, it's alright. But no I'm not a ranger. If you want to know the truth I'm actually in exile. My people cast me out, I'm just a wander I'm afraid. Hee, I'm not so noble as a ranger." He admitted.
Drizzt offered his new friend an understanding smile. "I can understand. I too am an exile from my birth land." He didn't add though that his exile had been his choice due to the insufferable acts of injustice and evil that had plagued him in that city he had called come from.
Dontae nodded accepting comforting words. "So Drizzt you have not yet told me why you are out in these hostile lands. Winter's fast on the approach and I know that winter in this land is death, so to speak."
Drizzt nodded. "King Bruenor has sent me out to scout the area. He's noticed that the evil races of this region have becoming more active, even more numerous. I fear though, that I shall have to report back to him before long and with nothing to show for my efforts." He explained disappointment evident in his voice.
"Hmm, well I wouldn't say it's a total waste. I've out here for awhile now and I've seen quite a bit." He leaned forward and locked Drizzt's purple eyes with own unique ones. "I offer a word of warning to the folks of Ten-Town, war is coming. It will make the battle that was fought here before with that wizard, Kessler, look like a mere skirmish. Something else, or someone else has come to this region, something far more powerful than a mere wizard."
Drizzt listened to Donates forbidding words with concern. "Perhaps you should come with me back to the court of King Bruenor. He will be very interested in what you have to say."
Dontae flinched at the notion and turned away. "I don't know. None of the places that I have traveled to have welcomed me, especially the priests, they really hate me." Dontae laughed hollowly.
Drizzt clapped Dontae on the shoulder and offered a wink. "Did they hate you more than a dark elf." He asked slyly. Dontae could only smile at the remark.
"Well I guess if your friends crazy enough to have a drow elf as a friend, he should be crazy enough to accept me. Alright your on, I'll come with you to King Bruenor's court." But first I have a job to do. You're welcome to come though." Dontae said standing up and heading inside the lean too. He appeared a moment later with a pack slung over his back. He motioned to Drizzt who followed behind curiously.
Drizzt was surprised when Dontae lead him back to bodies of the giants that Dontae had killed earlier. Dontae grew very still and remained motionless before his kills for a long time. Guenhwyar growled lowly and put her ears down. Drizzt dropped a comforting hand onto the obviously distressed cat's head in confusion. Guenhwyar stopped growling a second latter and even went over to Dontae and bumped into his leg.
Dontae, seeming to come back to himself looked down at the cat and smiled. "I'm glad you're not mad anymore." He said to the cat quietly.
Drizzt, not understanding any of it, merely shrugged his shoulders, privately relieved that his dearest friend had gotten over whatever it was that made her not trust Dontae.