Chapter 3
They ran across the flat tundra, Drizzt was actually surprised that Dontae could keep up with his pace, smiling to himself Drizzt picked up his pace and likewise Dontae followed suit. Guenhwyar made a mockery of the contest, easily outdistancing both man and elf in effortless flight.
Drizzt smiled to see the cat at play. It reminded him of his days in mithril hall. Dontae running at Drizzt's side also watched the cat at play. "It looks like she's having fun." He laughed gaily. Drizzt smiled at his new found companion. He was pleased that he had once again found a friend who could look past the reputation of his kin and see his true character. Drizzt wasn't bothered by the shunning he usually received, not anymore, but it still made him exceptionally happy to find friends who accepted him.
The sky overhead darkened and the air grew colder, but in the distance Kelvin's Cairn appeared silhouetted against the deep blue sky pushing the runners to their limits. Ice Wind Dale, was truly a desolate place. The land flat with no conceivable land marks for miles and mile around, all except the unusual mountain of Kelvin's Cairn.
The wind picked up and played a howling mournful tune, but Still Drizzt and Dontae ran on, and Guenhwyar lopped alongside them as silent as a shadow. They ran tirelessly through the night and arrived at the entrance to the dwarven mines before noon the next day. Drizzt had already dismissed the panther back to her astral home and lead the way through the mines to Bruenor's court, Dontae followed nervously behind.
The fiery red bearded dwarf sat grumbling, as always his throne. "What the orc's waggling tongue do you mean he means to visit?" He roared at a very nervous looking Halfling.
Regis nervously rubbed his little hands together, and winced at the dwarf's ire. "I just got the new Bruenor, and I'm just as upset as you are, who wouldn't be considering the visitor in times of trouble?"
Bruenor looked up suddenly and spotted Drizzt and Noah held up a hand in greeting. "Bad news elf, we got company coming." He said glaring at Regis who merely put up his hands defenselessly. "Rumblebelly here just done and told me that we got a group of stinkin' and messed up wizards coming in from Longsaddle. They wish to 'help' with our growing monster problem."
Drizzt face fell, and turned to a look of terror. "You can't mean Harkle Harpell, and his kin?" he asked with a groan. "If the Harkle's come to help the town's they'll more likely destroy them by accident." He lamented.
Dontae standing behind Drizzt groaned inwardly as well. He had met the Harpells and, as with everyone who had met the Harpells he had no desire to be near them and their often unpredictable magic.
Bruenor suddenly noticed Dontae standing behind Drizzt and pointed a stubby and grime covered finger that way. "And who's yer ghost friend?" he asked roughly, but not without some curiosity.
Drizzt stepped aside and motioned Dontae forward. Dontae moved forwardly and bowed low. "My greeting to you, noble king Bruenor, I am Dontae Chronix, and I bring grave news." Dontae said appropriately, catching the dwarven king in his multicolored eyes gaze.
"More grim than news of a Harpell visit?," Bruenor asked with a snide snicker, then getting serious again he measured up Dontae's appearance. Taking the man's strange colored eyes, and unusual hair color for one his age. "Bah, enough with the formalities, tell me what ya' know ghost."
Dontae ignored the nickname and nodded. "You've notice the growing number of monsters in this area, and you've also probably noticed that there are new monster as well, monsters that you've never seen or heard of correct?" Dontae asked glancing at Drizzt and then back to the king who nodded.
"Am I to take it then that ya' know what's going on?" Bruenor asked leaning forward.
Dontae shook his head. "I don't know exactly what's going on, but I've seen a lot and I have a theory which is I think is pretty likely. Something powerful has come to Ice Wind Dale. Something is gathering, and creating new monsters, the likes of which I have never seen, and I can assure you that I've seen quite a bit of monsters." He explained. "One thing I am certain of, and I'm sure you'll agree. War is coming again to Ten-Town's. They need to prepare."
Bruenor sank back in his throne in thought, digesting all that he had heard. Regis too slumped back. He knew well the difficulty in getting the people of Ten-Town's to unite, a task that they had been unable to accomplish to dismay and destruction of almost all of the town's. The Halfling touched the ruby pendant that hung around his neck. He knew that the time to use it again would be soon.
The Dwarf snorted loudly, and an eager gleam came into his eye. "Well I say bring it on. Things been a bit to quiet around here and me axe is hungry for some orc blood." He said giving a toothy smile to Drizzt who drew his scimitars. The gleams in the elf's eye no less eager than the one in the Dwarfs.
"And my blade area crying to ride the evil that has lately pervaded our land." The noble drow said with a grim smile.
Dontae watched the exchange, wearing an almost sad expression. It was good that these two were eager and ready for a good battle; they would need to be to fight the war that would eventually find its way to their door step.
Later that day Dontae walked out of the mines and squinted in the bright sunshine. Drizzt had stayed behind to discuss some plans with Bruenor. The good king had offered for Dontae to stay and offered the often estranged man a room in his mines, but Dontae politely refused preferring to find a nice secluded cave outside in view of the sky.
It didn't take Dontae long to find a suitable shelter, and took even less time for him to turn it into a home. He had few material items, although for a man that traveled most of his life, he didn't need, nor could he afford such things. That night Dontae lay on his back looking up at the stars, oblivious to the nights freezing chill. He watched the twinkling lights over head and wondered.
