The Mark
The Mark
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of R.A. Salvatore/Wizards of the Coast ©. I don't own them; I'm just examining all their possibilities.
27 of Ches 1473 The Year of Risen Ghosts
The Glimmerwood
There have been those rare light moments in the darkness that has been the last forty years of my existence, perhaps my own "Points of Light" in the rugged wilderness my existence has become. Darkness has prevailed in my life for the past few years though the actual number of those "few" years is something that pains me to think on. I would like to think that period of darkness has ended, or at least paused for a moment to give light a chance to shine forth.
For the first time in too long I feel as if I have a cause and a purpose in my life instead of a series of tasks. It had even gotten to the point where the everyday accomplishment of my deeds and principles was not enough to keep my mind focused and my purpose motivated; a truly tragic point indeed in my life. The knowledge of this reality only put me further into despair.
That despair has been lifted and I feel my purpose renewed, a spark ironically set by a group of drow. I have lived to separate myself from my kin, though I have found, by a miracle of the gods, a group of my kin that have been a reflection of my purpose. I never imagined drow were capable of such honor and camaraderie as I have seen in the Brotherhood.
In the past four months I have made it a point to visit the village as often as my duties and the harsh winter weather will allow me. In the beginning it was a matter of feeling them out, determining if they were respectable and not a threat. My bond grew the more I visited and I more saw them as friends than simply associates or even subjects to watch.
When I arranged a meeting between Gab'vrith and his druid apprentices and Lord Hralien and the elders of Moonwood, I felt I was introducing one group of friends to another. It has elated me to see the elves and the drow of the Brotherhood regularly come to each other's aid; trading their wares freely and aiding each other over the long winter when both would have faced many more challenges alone. I have had the pleasure of seeing a group of drow accepted by the elves, a reality I have been honored to see in my lifetime.
Through all this I have found allies among my kin. In the past four months I now know every member of the village by name and history. I have met fellow refugees from Menzoberranzan and heard so many stories similar to my own. I have met drow from the other cities raised under other deities, and I have heard stories from those who have spent their whole lives on the Surface and were born under the sun or stars. All have been a camaraderie that has run deep into my being and fulfilled an ancient need within myself.
The one bond that has touched my heart the most has been the connection I have made with Gab'vrith. Since the moment I met him I have seen a reflection of what I want to be when I am of an advanced age; peaceful and filled with wisdom to share with a younger generation. Every time I return to the village I always first go to Gabe's tent. We will usually start with tea and casual conversation; sometimes we will meet in the woods away from the village and meditate or discuss nature.
I feel he has given me more encouragement to regularly explore my ranger's skills. Above all, our talks have given me a closer connection and understanding of nature and the spirit within. I have held Mielikki close to my heart for over a century, though it hasn't been until recently, until after meeting a fellow drow of the wood that I have truly appreciated what she stands for.
I consider Gabe a mentor of sorts, one who makes me think a little more clearly about the spiritual nature of things when I long denied it for the purely physical and rational. No one will ever replace Zaknafein or Montolio, though I welcome a third guiding force for this new era in my life.
No matter how much camaraderie or inspiration I have gained from my time with the Brotherhood, the thought is still in the back of my mind that I have only known these drow for fours months. I do not yet know all of their secrets or motivations and am aware there us a possibility I might learn a deep-down truth of this group that will cause me to curse their purpose. Every time I feel truly elated about what I have found, I have tried to temper that happiness with that possibility as much as a wish I could just put it aside.
I have vowed to enjoy the moment, savor my company, and yet keep a wary eye open.
-Drizzt Do'Urden
Gab'vrith didn't look up when the front flap of his large tent lifted, Drizzt only needed to see a smile as he adjusted the clay kettle on the small fire in the middle of the room.
"I suggest you leave your cloak on the rack beside you," Gabe said, his gaze still on the fire as he set aside two mugs. "It must be completely soaked with all the rain we've gotten today."
Drizzt smiled and removed his green traveling cloak, placing it on a wooden peg built into the tent frame.
"It is now mostly showers," Drizzt said, walking forward and coming to a cross-legged sit on the other side of the fire facing Gabe. "I believe we might actually see the sun tomorrow."
"Or the full moon tonight, according to my predictions," Gabe said, his pink and red eyes falling to Drizzt as he gave a smile.
Gabe picked the kettle off the fire and poured out the black tea into the two cups. The aroma of lavender and aged tea leaves was briefly lost in a small draft of wind under the tent though returned in its full glory. Gabe put the kettle back on the fire and handed one mug to Drizzt, who nodded in thanks and pressed his fingers against the warm mug, greedily taking in its heat after spending the past few hours in the raw spring rain.
Gabe poured a cup for himself and gave a small toast before taking a casual sip.
"I hope you didn't get any flack from the boys guarding the perimeter," Gabe said, "they have been awful edgy lately with all the orc leavings we've been finding."
"They were nothing but polite to me, though you can see their edginess," Drizzt said, taking a sip of the sweetly pungent liquid. "I am here to tell you the matter has been settled. About a tenday ago one of Obould's cousins tried rather unsuccessfully to start a revolution against the king and left any indicators he could to the surrounding villages he was not to be trifled with."
"He leaves behind wolves skewered on pikes with the Eye of Gruumsh written in blood on their fur," Gabe said, rolling his eyes. "That's a weak indicator of power and only angers the forest folk more with their desecration. I told the boys you see anyone doing that take care of the problem."
"The problem's already been taken care of by Obould himself," Drizzt said. "The head of said cousin is now on a pike on the wall of Dark Arrows, much to the dismay of most everyone."
"I suppose orcs will be orcs no matter how civilized they seem," Gabe said. "Like I have any reason to talk."
Drizzt gave a wry chuckle in response with Gabe joining in a moment later. Gabe's chuckle faded as he took a long sip of his tea, his face in contemplation.
"There is one matter regarding our group I have been meaning to ask you about," Gabe said.
Drizzt took a sip and nodded in understanding, knowing this conversation was coming soon. He reached in his neckpurse and removed the clay disc given to him during his first visit to the village. He held it up, showing all but the image of an arrow and vine had faded from the disc. Gabe looked at it and nodded.
"You have been a most welcome visitor to our settlement for the past four months," Gabe said. "I believe it is time we start talking about whether you are going to make your involvement official since we cannot accept visitors for too long."
"I've thought hard on it," Drizzt said. "It is tempting me more and more, though I have heard you have a rather involved initiation process."
"Not really involved," Gabe said carefully, looking to be choosing his words wisely. "More a matter of deeply committed. When I feel you are truly ready to be made one of us, it will involve a brief ceremony of initiation that I promise will not be entirely easy or even pleasant."
"Yes, the giving of the Mark I have heard," Drizzt said.
"Have you been told any details on what the process entails," Gabe said.
"No specifics and nothing in detail," Drizzt said, looking down at the swirling leaves in his tea before looking back up at Gabe. "I understand it does involve a permanent marking in the flesh, of what nature I do not know."
"Well you have a right to know what you're getting yourself into," Gabe said. "And I bring this up now to give you another two months to think on it. I will tell you it is a mark that if seen by a minion of the Spider Bitch is a spot on invitation for torture or killing on sight. Where I'm from, it indicated you gained someone's attention in a not so nice way and that someone wanted to share with her fellows that you are damaged."
"You and your five kinsmen received this mark, didn't you," Drizzt said, remembering the story of how the Brotherhood was formed.
"In the worst way possible," Gabe said. "It went from our mark of shame to our rallying cry; we were outcasts and that made us proud; it was our freedom from the priestesses and the restraints of Lolth. We gained members who wished to receive the Mark in solidarity and the word spread from there. Now we make it a requirement since there are those who would not receive the Mark as an indicator of disfavor and would easily turn our heads into the nearest priestess."
"You need to know someone in your village is trustworthy and will make the commitment," Drizzt said, though the idea of the Mark made him slightly uneasy.
He was unsure what type of flesh marring was involved. He had a high tolerance for pain and a lack of vanity, though would not pay in pounds of flesh for the purpose of another's cause. A small brand, scar, or tattoo he could tolerate for the sake of solidarity, though he would not be subjected to anything more.
Gabe looked at him thoughtfully, reading every ounce of reluctance and slight fear written on his face.
"I am sure you know Zelden Ryth and his son Rinnz," Gabe said.
Drizzt nodded, having had many conversations with the blacksmith and his adolescent son.
"Rinnz celebrated his twentieth birthday this week and is considered old enough to be formally initiated into the Brotherhood," Gabe continued. "He wanted to wait until the full moon to be inducted, remembering his father's story about how that full moon was the first thing he saw when leaving the caverns for the last time. Most of the village will witness it and I know Rinnz and Zelden would be honored if you were there."
"I would be most honored to be there," Drizzt said.
"It is a momentous occasion in this young man's life and it will be your chance to see what your own occasion will entail."
Drizzt nodded, happy to have the opportunity for knowledge at last.
The clouds had parted enough to reveal a bright, glowing full moon that shone down through the trees and illuminated the haze around the open canopy. The moon's silver glow mingled with the bright red and orange of the various torches around this one area of the woods.
Drizzt kept his perch on a large boulder on the edge of the small clearing, a few feet behind the ring of drow that had gathered. He wanted to watch this occasion, though not necessarily be a part of it. He was only an observer at this time; the true participants were the members of the Brotherhood that gathered to officially welcome another drow into their fold.
He did attend the gathering wearing only his hide trousers, naked to the waist and feet bare as the other members of the circle. It was a tradition, Gabe had told him, that at an initiation ceremony all drow in attendance wore no tunics, robes, or even boots. When fully clothed, all of them reflected their wealth, professions, and stations; if clad only in simple leggings or trousers all were equal in this one space.
It was a tradition Drizzt could respect, though was less than enthusiastic about seeing another tradition of the Brotherhood he was invited to witness.
He looked down at the gathered drow, counting around fifteen out of the sixty that had come to settle in the Glimmerwood. The ones in attendance were mostly those who knew the family personally and wanted to share this momentous moment.
The major exception to the average drow in attendance was the five drow near a cot in the middle of the clearing wearing wreaths of vines around their crowns of white hair. These were some of Gab'vrith's druid apprentices who attended to give spiritual support to the occasion. Clerics were not the main source of blessing here, servants of nature were; a refreshing change in Drizzt's mind though he was still reserving any further opinions until after he saw what would transpire here.
He looked into the group of druids, seeing Gabe at the side clad the same as the rest of the group. With his torso exposed, Drizzt saw a warrior's physique that had been allowed to sag and relax with the passing of age; the physique of a fighter who had hung up his swords and retired to a life of pure peace. Maybe that would have been Zaknafein's muscle tone had he lived to give up his near eternal existence of violence.
The thought put a smirk on Drizzt's face for a second, though he did not keep as hard a grip on sentimentality now as he used to. Zaknafein would spit on any warrior who let his physique fall to time and certainly would not allow that for himself. Violence was Zak's life; Gabe however had given it up for nature. The two were ultimately not alike; Drizzt had to keep reminding himself of that.
Gab'vrith's gaze gently went up to Drizzt, likely checking on his progress and any reactions he might have from what he would see. Drizzt gave a small smile and a nod in recognition, though his defenses were ever on.
The glance was broken by a small cheer that went up through the group. Drizzt's attention turned to the woods, where he saw a tall young dark elf with a long braid down his back. Young Rinnz Ryth entered the clearing with arms up like a cocky fighter greeting his admirers before entering a duel.
Rinnz looked older for his age and Drizzt was a bit surprised to hear he was only twenty, though the confidence of youth was plastered all over his face. He entered the circle with various pats on the back, his father Zelden, a Menzoberranzyr himself, walking close behind with a proud smile.
Drizzt was slightly relieved at the sight of the guest of honor walking in with smiles and not in dread; an image that jarred Drizzt's sense that this was like an execution or a sacrifice as opposed to a rite of passage.
Rinnz warmly embraced Gab'vrith, the crowd shifting to reveal the young drow wearing a blue wrap around his waist. He then stopped before the druids, his grin calming to a smile as he bowed to them.
Gabe's eldest apprentice Tsabrak Belthizz embraced Rinnz before gently guiding him to lay down on the simple cot set up in the clearing. Rinnz removed the wrapping, revealing his nude form before lying down on the cot. Drizzt could see him give a few deep breaths indicating nervousness.
The crowd settled to a more stable position, giving Drizzt a view of a small table beside the cot with a small clay bowl filled with charcoal, a bottle of off-white liquid that had the consistency of witch-hazel, and a small marble tray on which an instrument rested that resembled a smooth stone knife among other items.
Tsabrak picked up a small bundle of dried sage and set it smoldering with a flint and steel. He slowly waved the bundle over Rinnz, face in quiet contemplation. He then dropped a few embers from the sage into the clay bowl, catching the coal on fire and producing a blue flame before setting the sage down.
Drizzt grew increasingly uneasy, eying all the tools on the table and wondering their purpose; or wondering how they would inflict pain on this smiling young man.
"Rinnz Ryth," Tsabrak said. "Is it your wish to continue the initiation into the Brotherhood? Now is your last chance to back away."
"I come with an open mind and an open heart," Rinnz answered immediately.
Tsabrak smiled, taking up the bottle, removing the cork, and soaking a small cloth with the contents, Drizzt waiting with bated breath to see where he would dab the unguent.
He exchanged a glance with Gabe before seeing Tsabrak spread the lotion on Rinnz.
Drizzt tried to not let his jaw hang in reaction to what he saw, warnings going up in his brain and a part of him almost wanting to spring forth and stop whatever would happen. He kept still, a part of him giving a small benefit of the doubt.
Tsabrak put down the cloth and picked up the tool. Drizzt's breath was staggered, his body tensing as Tsabrak positioned the tool. The druid set to work and Drizzt felt his stomach turn. He flinched his gaze away for a second but pried it back in place. His hand shook as he watched the so called "mark" being given; completely disgusted at what he was seeing though his mind still telling him it was not as ill as it appeared at the moment.
Rinnz' face contorted in pain and he clutched the sides of the cot, though a small smile was on his face the whole time. It wasn't as if he was being tortured, it was like he was going through a welcome trial. Zelden watched on with concern, though his expression too was light. All were indicators to Drizzt that he may not have been witnessing something as wicked as he thought.
Tsabrak's work was completed and Rinnz visibly relaxed, his head going back on the pillow with a deep breath. Drizzt too breathed a sigh of relief that what he had seen was not as bad as he imagined it could have been. It was a horrifying sight nonetheless and Drizzt still felt disgusted.
Tsabrak put his hand to Rinnz, who took it and allowed himself to be lifted from the cot as the two embraced to a mass of cheers.
"Welcome your new brother," Tsabrak said to the group.
Rinnz' arms were once again in the air; his ebony complexion slightly blanched and his stance slightly shaky, though his grin and look of triumph beaming through.
Drizzt took a deep breath, feeling dizzy. He gradually jumped off the rock and onto the ground. Leaving now would likely be rude, though his step was straight towards the woods. He needed a few moments to digest what he had just seen.
"I said it would not be pleasant," Gabe said. "And I can tell you agree with that assessment."
Drizzt looked to the side further into the trees. Gabe was the last person he wanted to see right now though he was the one person he should see.
He gave a hard sigh and looked up; adjusting his position on the fallen tree he had sat on for the past five minutes of numb contemplation. Gabe was still bare to the waist, likely having just left Rinnz "initiation" after a few well-wishes to the new Brother. Drizzt saw a look of pained understanding across his scared face and not relish or impatience.
"I watched a noble House in Menzoberranzan be torn apart by Matron Baenre and her demons simply for not killing all the members of a House they tried to take," Drizzt said. "I was a naïve little prince fully seeing the first time the barbarism of our race and I remember my jaw ached for hanging down so long in trembling at what I saw. I also distinctly remember one of my sisters glancing at me with the most puzzled look; why was I not enjoying the sight of someone else's pain. That look is not on your face now, and that is what is keeping me from introducing your skull to the butt of my sword."
Gabe chuckled and nodded.
"I take no pleasure in seeing pain," Gabe said.
"Yet you will have it inflicted on the members of your own group," Drizzt said, gradually coming to his feet and standing eye to eye with the druid as his voice tensed with every word. "If I may be so blunt."
"Be as blunt as you need to be," Gabe said.
A part of Drizzt wanted to be as polite as possible, another part wanting to punch him. He had to give voice to a compromise between these emotions.
"You hail yourself as a leader of these men who have gone through the Hells to be here at last, yet you will cast them out if they will not undergo the mutilation I just saw inflicted on a drow who is practically a boy," Drizzt said, trying his best not to scream his outrage. "You will inflict a torture upon your own men that was used on you in the name of solidarity, making your practice no better than that of the priestesses you curse and cast the people you allegedly love so much out to the wolves if they refuse."
"Yours is a sound argument, though would you even think there are other perspectives at work here than your own," Gabe responded, his calm voice taking an edge.
Drizzt looked back to the woods for a moment before looking back at Gabe. The druid's trousers were now pulled to his knees and Drizzt saw most of his bare form, including the same mark he saw given to Rinnz that night.
Drizzt's brows furrowed at the sight. Gabe's mark was ragged and left deep, angry scars. The flesh around it was discolored and deformed, showing it was not done as cleanly as Rinnz' had been.
"The marking you just saw was done with a very sharp tool that was made to not hold infection and will be buried soon and another one made for the next time," Gabe said. "This one you see here was done with a piece of ragged obsidian that had been soaked in salt water. The mark you saw took a few minutes; this one was done within twenty minutes as slowly as possible. I was able to procure some healing potions outside the priestess' knowledge when this one took a really nasty infection."
Gabe pulled up his trousers and restrung them, seeing Drizzt's enraged expression slightly calmed.
"I do not take pleasure in seeing pain, though I have learned that pain in itself is not an evil concept," Gabe continued. "It is a cleanser; it kills a part of yourself and makes something regrow in the process.
"For the five of us in House Frzelln, it was the death of our status but the birth of our freedom. Our cause, before and after we had realized its name, was written in our very flesh. Many willingly took that mark even before we had formed our group, wanting to demonstrate such a commitment to the cause of freedom in an apparent, brutal way. A priestess or soldier sees this mark; you're a dead man in their eyes, a dobluth, a male shamed in the most brutal way and therefore a target. Every member of my group who has been marked has said they felt more alive afterward, even enjoying some pleasures a bit more with their new life. In the past two hundred years, there has not been one infection and no scarring as you have seen with me. In fact this marking is not unique to our group alone; other cultures have something similar and have been doing it long before we were born."
Drizzt breathed a deep sigh, taking in Gabe's words. Everything he said made perfect sense without reeking of drow propaganda. The mark sounded more an act of solidarity than an act of torture. He knew of cultures that included body alteration as a right of passage.
This particular form, however, startled him and he could not imagine any other group that would inflict this for any benign reason. The Mark did not sound like such an evil thing, though it was a concept that still scared him.
"I believe you," Drizzt said, looking at Gabe and nodding.
"And I understand your reaction," Gabe said. "If you didn't way what you said, I'd seriously doubt this noble reputation I keep hearing about."
Drizzt gave a chuckle in spite of himself.
"I cannot say right now that I am willing to receive this mark," Drizzt said. "I respect you and your people, though this all still disturbs me."
"That is also understood, Gabe said, nodding. "Though I will say again if you do not receive it within the next two months, I cannot have you in my village. The Brotherhood requires a commitment in flesh. Those who are unwilling to make that solid commitment might betray us; it is a reality that I cannot chance."
Drizzt nodded. He didn't like the circumstances, though they were understandable.
"I am going to need some time to think this over," Drizzt said.
Gabe nodded, looking back to the village and motioning him to follow.
"You might want to get your gear back on first," he said.