Chapter 7: Destruction
As soon as the flowers indicated the coming of spring, Kyorlyn insisted that they needed to go to the circle of trees, so she could apologize to Meilikki. Drizzt argued that it was too soon. He convinced her to wait another month. She needed to wait until it warmed up a little more.
Her legs were hurting because of the long winter inside the cottage without the luxury of room to walk around and exercise them. Kyorlyn used the warmer weather to walk around the clearing, to strengthen her legs and shake off the winter blues.
Drizzt knew they could not put off the visit any longer. As soon as the snow melted away, there had been small tremors in the earth. Nothing large, but they were becoming more frequent.
On the second waning crescent of spring, he led Kyorlyn to the holy circle. She was not too big yet, but it was still hard for her to walk far. Drizzt helped her, making sure she rested every few minutes.
The crescent moon hung in the evening sky as they both knelt and waited.
As she had promised months before, Meilikki appeared, first as a unicorn, then as a woman as she came closer.
"I have heard you both. Kyorlyn, do you know the name of the one you worship?"
"Yes, your name is Meilikki. I apologize for the mistake of name. I have always had you in my heart, nonetheless."
"Very good, you have done well. Drizzt, have you accepted your love for Kyorlyn? She loves you, and will to the end of her days."
"I have accepted my love for her. I will do my best to be a good husband for her."
"Kyorlyn, do you love Drizzt back, and promise to be a good wife to him?"
"I promise."
"Good. There is more you must do before you flee this place. You will not be able to stay here much longer. The garden is nearing it's destruction. Near the cottage, there is a sapling. You must take it with you when you leave. The Lammasu will take you to where it must be planted. In the wall behind the loom is a small book. It is a journal of the ranger that was here before Kyorlyn. In it, are the names of all of the figurines. Take them with you. Kyorlyn, that ranger was your mother. She sent you through the portal to Nyärith to save your life. Take the book of Anthealda to Icewind Dale. There, among a group of barbarians is a warrior called Mord. He will deliver it to the daughter of Renshyyda. You must be gone from this place before the next full moon. This place will be completely engulfed in fire." Meilikki said and slowly disappeared.
"Come, Kyorlyn. Lets get back and rest. Hopefully we can be ready to leave by the day after tomorrow, but do not strain yourself. Our baby won't come for a while yet. We do not need it coming any earlier than it needs to."
"I will miss this place."
"I know. So will I"
##########
As soon as they were back at the cottage, Drizzt tore the loom away from the wall. Kyorlyn looked at the shattered heap of wood and cloth with dismay, but did not protest.
He tore at the wall to find the secret compartment. Inside was a package wrapped tightly in a leather binding. He took it and handed it to Kyorlyn.
"It belonged to your mother. You are the one who should open it."
Kyorlyn carefully cut away the cords holding the leather. Inside, among a bed of cedar shavings, was a small, leather bound book. She opened it and began to read it aloud.
##########
"I, Eina Starym, leave this journal for my daughter to use when she needs it. Due to the constant bickering on Evermeet, my life, and the life of my daughter were in peril.
I am an orphan. My family perished during their flight from Myth Drannor.
I am a ranger. I serve Meilikki, as did my foster parents.
I wandered Cormanthor forest for many years before a kind man convinced me to go to Evermeet. I knew it was a mistake as soon as I reached the island. I was accepted because of my heritage. Nonetheless, I was scorned by many because of my devotion to my goddess. Those who shunned me believed I should turn to an Elven god. Those who knew the goodness of Meilikki supported my decision to continue her worship. My very presence there caused conflict.
My husband disappeared before our daughter was born. I knew he was dead, although his body was not found. He had gone to defend the queen. I know he fell.
Hostility towards me rose once Simpetar disappeared. My husband was a moon elf, not chosen for me, as was per the unwritten law. Our marriage was frowned upon as much as my faith.
As soon as Vari was born, my elderly cousin opened the only stable dimensional gate out of Evermeet. It lead to this garden. The gate closed and could never be reopened. My cousin gave me the five figurines to pass on to my daughter when the time to leave came. Each figurine can only be used once. The power in them stays dormant until such time as it is needed. The power of the figurine increases as the time comes to use it. The names to activate each figurine is as follows: The Blink Dog is called Corum; The Centaur is called Fern; The large Were-Bear is called Circynio; The Gigantic Owl is called Haori; The Lammasu is called Merlinnius. "
##########
"I did well choosing your name. The name 'Vari' is Elven for 'protect, 'or 'guard.' Kyorlyn means the same in drow."
"There is more in this journal."
"I know, Kyorlyn. There will be time to read the rest when we get out of the garden. We need to finish our packing. Do you mind if I use the remains of the loom for firewood?"
"No, it is of no use for us anymore, Drizzt."
"Alright, you rest. Just think, soon you will be with my family, our family. I know they will love you as much as I do."
"Are you sure? I mean, they will not think I am just a replacement for Catti-Brie. I do not see myself like that, but I am not sure what your children with think."
"They are all grown. They knew I was sad and lonely when I left them. They will be glad to accept you. Rest now. We have much to do tomorrow."
##########
They awoke with a start. The ground shook for several minutes. Kyorlyn grabbed Drizzt tightly as the pottery fell from the shelves and dust flew around the cottage.
"What is happening?!"
Drizzt took a couple of deep breaths. "The garden is inside a volcano. It is getting ready to erupt."
"Is that what she meant when she said this place would be engulfed in fire?"
"Yes. The tremor seems to have stopped. I will get up and continue to pack. In the morning, we will get one of the unbroken jars and plant the sapling in it. You rest. I anticipate a long journey."
"Alright."
Drizzt sifted through the jars to find one suitable for the sapling as he packed everything he thought they would need. The would need to keep the packs as light as possible. He knew only of Lammasu from books and legends. He did not know exactly how much one could carry.
He heard the howling of babbians outside. They were not close, but he readied his weapons just in case. The last tremor must have collapsed some of their tunnels.
No babbians came any closer, so he went inside to rest a little bit before the coming of dawn.
Another large tremor struck shortly after the sun rose, rousing both Drizzt and Kyorlyn. Drizzt quickly pushed Kyorlyn aside as a piece of the roof caved in. The ground still shook violently.
"Get outside. I will get the rest of the gear. Find Seronamede's sapling."
"Drizzt!"
"Don't argue! Just go!"
The tremor subsided, but another one was slowly starting. Drizzt worked as quickly as he could to get their supplies out before the entire cottage caved in.
Kyorlyn found the pot Drizzt had set outside. She took it with her. She found the sapling shaped like a small person. She dug around it and planted it into the small pot.
She turned to see Drizzt dive out of the cottage as it collapsed.
The fire in the fireplace caught some of the rubble and slowly set the heap alight. Drizzt stood with Kyloryn for several moments as the rumbling subsided and cottage went up in flame.
"Did we get everything?" Kyorlyn asked.
"Let me check the packs," Drizzt inventoried the contents aloud, " Books, figurines, food, blankets, weapons, clothes, water, yes it is all here. You have the sapling?"
"Yes, I have her right here."
The howls of pain from babbians were getting louder. The ground shook again as a jet of hot steam erupted straight up from above the hot spring.
"Call the Lammasu. We need to get out of here." Drizzt said as he handed Kyorlyn the figurine.
"Merlinnius, come to us."
The figurine crumbled to dust as Merlinnius slowly appeared. He was huge. He had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the face of a human.
"It is time." Merlinius clearly said, "Quickly, get everything on my back. I should have no trouble carrying both of you and your gear."
Drizzt helped Kyorlyn on first, secured the sapling and the packs, then hopped on.
"Are you ready?" Merlinnius asked.
"Yes."
Merlinnius made a quick jump and rode the hot air up as another tremor turned the hot spring into spewing geyser. They flew over the rim. Kyorlyn looked back to see lava spewing slowly from what had once been the babbian caves.
"That will make Malar think twice about creating a secret army of his beasts again." Merlinnius chuckled, "It is good to fly again."
"Where are you taking us?" Drizzt asked.
"To Cormanthor Forest, near the ruins of the court. Rest yourselves. I have rested for over two hundred years waiting for this. I will not tire easily. We will be there after nightfall."
##########
Drizzt watched as the terrain below slowly changed. The salty shallows gave way to snowy peaks, then to desert, then to a forested mountain. Kyorlyn, behind Drizzt, kept her hands around his waist as they flew. She had fallen asleep hours before. He wondered how she could sleep sitting like that. He did not mind. He could feel the slight stirrings of their child against his back. It relaxed Drizzt. He could not help but smile as the wind blew in his face.
As they came closer to their destination, Merlinnius lowered the altitude of his flight. The moon was already high as he softly landed.
"We are here," Merlinnius announced, " I will stay with you until morning, after you have planted Seronamede. These woods are teeming with evil. There is a safe place two hours walk from here, but it should not be traveled at night. I can not leave you to fend for a bearing female by yourself in such a place."
"I welcome your company."
"I would like one more thing from you, Unusual drow. In your pocket is a figurine. I would like to say hello to my friend before I go. I have not seen her since Josidiah Starym was still her master. He has been dead for years."
"I am called Drizzt Do'Urden, The lady is my wife, Kyorlyn Starym Do'Urden. I would be glad to let you visit with Guenhwyvar." Drizzt said as he called forth his companion.
"That makes sense. She must be a relative of his. Guen always makes her way back to protect them, eventually. She protects who she can until then." Merlinnius replied.
Guen perked up her ears as soon as she appeared. She grunted and nuzzled Merlinnius.
Drizzt checked on Kyorlyn. She had started a fire and was making something to eat.
"I knew you would be famished when you woke up."
"I am making enough for both of us. You need to eat too."
"I'm not eating for two."
"No excuses. Sit with me and eat."
Drizzt smiled and shook his head, " Why do I end up with such aggressive women?"
"Pure luck, my love." She said as she smiled back.
###########
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As soon as the flowers indicated the coming of spring, Kyorlyn insisted that they needed to go to the circle of trees, so she could apologize to Meilikki. Drizzt argued that it was too soon. He convinced her to wait another month. She needed to wait until it warmed up a little more.
Her legs were hurting because of the long winter inside the cottage without the luxury of room to walk around and exercise them. Kyorlyn used the warmer weather to walk around the clearing, to strengthen her legs and shake off the winter blues.
Drizzt knew they could not put off the visit any longer. As soon as the snow melted away, there had been small tremors in the earth. Nothing large, but they were becoming more frequent.
On the second waning crescent of spring, he led Kyorlyn to the holy circle. She was not too big yet, but it was still hard for her to walk far. Drizzt helped her, making sure she rested every few minutes.
The crescent moon hung in the evening sky as they both knelt and waited.
As she had promised months before, Meilikki appeared, first as a unicorn, then as a woman as she came closer.
"I have heard you both. Kyorlyn, do you know the name of the one you worship?"
"Yes, your name is Meilikki. I apologize for the mistake of name. I have always had you in my heart, nonetheless."
"Very good, you have done well. Drizzt, have you accepted your love for Kyorlyn? She loves you, and will to the end of her days."
"I have accepted my love for her. I will do my best to be a good husband for her."
"Kyorlyn, do you love Drizzt back, and promise to be a good wife to him?"
"I promise."
"Good. There is more you must do before you flee this place. You will not be able to stay here much longer. The garden is nearing it's destruction. Near the cottage, there is a sapling. You must take it with you when you leave. The Lammasu will take you to where it must be planted. In the wall behind the loom is a small book. It is a journal of the ranger that was here before Kyorlyn. In it, are the names of all of the figurines. Take them with you. Kyorlyn, that ranger was your mother. She sent you through the portal to Nyärith to save your life. Take the book of Anthealda to Icewind Dale. There, among a group of barbarians is a warrior called Mord. He will deliver it to the daughter of Renshyyda. You must be gone from this place before the next full moon. This place will be completely engulfed in fire." Meilikki said and slowly disappeared.
"Come, Kyorlyn. Lets get back and rest. Hopefully we can be ready to leave by the day after tomorrow, but do not strain yourself. Our baby won't come for a while yet. We do not need it coming any earlier than it needs to."
"I will miss this place."
"I know. So will I"
##########
As soon as they were back at the cottage, Drizzt tore the loom away from the wall. Kyorlyn looked at the shattered heap of wood and cloth with dismay, but did not protest.
He tore at the wall to find the secret compartment. Inside was a package wrapped tightly in a leather binding. He took it and handed it to Kyorlyn.
"It belonged to your mother. You are the one who should open it."
Kyorlyn carefully cut away the cords holding the leather. Inside, among a bed of cedar shavings, was a small, leather bound book. She opened it and began to read it aloud.
##########
"I, Eina Starym, leave this journal for my daughter to use when she needs it. Due to the constant bickering on Evermeet, my life, and the life of my daughter were in peril.
I am an orphan. My family perished during their flight from Myth Drannor.
I am a ranger. I serve Meilikki, as did my foster parents.
I wandered Cormanthor forest for many years before a kind man convinced me to go to Evermeet. I knew it was a mistake as soon as I reached the island. I was accepted because of my heritage. Nonetheless, I was scorned by many because of my devotion to my goddess. Those who shunned me believed I should turn to an Elven god. Those who knew the goodness of Meilikki supported my decision to continue her worship. My very presence there caused conflict.
My husband disappeared before our daughter was born. I knew he was dead, although his body was not found. He had gone to defend the queen. I know he fell.
Hostility towards me rose once Simpetar disappeared. My husband was a moon elf, not chosen for me, as was per the unwritten law. Our marriage was frowned upon as much as my faith.
As soon as Vari was born, my elderly cousin opened the only stable dimensional gate out of Evermeet. It lead to this garden. The gate closed and could never be reopened. My cousin gave me the five figurines to pass on to my daughter when the time to leave came. Each figurine can only be used once. The power in them stays dormant until such time as it is needed. The power of the figurine increases as the time comes to use it. The names to activate each figurine is as follows: The Blink Dog is called Corum; The Centaur is called Fern; The large Were-Bear is called Circynio; The Gigantic Owl is called Haori; The Lammasu is called Merlinnius. "
##########
"I did well choosing your name. The name 'Vari' is Elven for 'protect, 'or 'guard.' Kyorlyn means the same in drow."
"There is more in this journal."
"I know, Kyorlyn. There will be time to read the rest when we get out of the garden. We need to finish our packing. Do you mind if I use the remains of the loom for firewood?"
"No, it is of no use for us anymore, Drizzt."
"Alright, you rest. Just think, soon you will be with my family, our family. I know they will love you as much as I do."
"Are you sure? I mean, they will not think I am just a replacement for Catti-Brie. I do not see myself like that, but I am not sure what your children with think."
"They are all grown. They knew I was sad and lonely when I left them. They will be glad to accept you. Rest now. We have much to do tomorrow."
##########
They awoke with a start. The ground shook for several minutes. Kyorlyn grabbed Drizzt tightly as the pottery fell from the shelves and dust flew around the cottage.
"What is happening?!"
Drizzt took a couple of deep breaths. "The garden is inside a volcano. It is getting ready to erupt."
"Is that what she meant when she said this place would be engulfed in fire?"
"Yes. The tremor seems to have stopped. I will get up and continue to pack. In the morning, we will get one of the unbroken jars and plant the sapling in it. You rest. I anticipate a long journey."
"Alright."
Drizzt sifted through the jars to find one suitable for the sapling as he packed everything he thought they would need. The would need to keep the packs as light as possible. He knew only of Lammasu from books and legends. He did not know exactly how much one could carry.
He heard the howling of babbians outside. They were not close, but he readied his weapons just in case. The last tremor must have collapsed some of their tunnels.
No babbians came any closer, so he went inside to rest a little bit before the coming of dawn.
Another large tremor struck shortly after the sun rose, rousing both Drizzt and Kyorlyn. Drizzt quickly pushed Kyorlyn aside as a piece of the roof caved in. The ground still shook violently.
"Get outside. I will get the rest of the gear. Find Seronamede's sapling."
"Drizzt!"
"Don't argue! Just go!"
The tremor subsided, but another one was slowly starting. Drizzt worked as quickly as he could to get their supplies out before the entire cottage caved in.
Kyorlyn found the pot Drizzt had set outside. She took it with her. She found the sapling shaped like a small person. She dug around it and planted it into the small pot.
She turned to see Drizzt dive out of the cottage as it collapsed.
The fire in the fireplace caught some of the rubble and slowly set the heap alight. Drizzt stood with Kyloryn for several moments as the rumbling subsided and cottage went up in flame.
"Did we get everything?" Kyorlyn asked.
"Let me check the packs," Drizzt inventoried the contents aloud, " Books, figurines, food, blankets, weapons, clothes, water, yes it is all here. You have the sapling?"
"Yes, I have her right here."
The howls of pain from babbians were getting louder. The ground shook again as a jet of hot steam erupted straight up from above the hot spring.
"Call the Lammasu. We need to get out of here." Drizzt said as he handed Kyorlyn the figurine.
"Merlinnius, come to us."
The figurine crumbled to dust as Merlinnius slowly appeared. He was huge. He had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the face of a human.
"It is time." Merlinius clearly said, "Quickly, get everything on my back. I should have no trouble carrying both of you and your gear."
Drizzt helped Kyorlyn on first, secured the sapling and the packs, then hopped on.
"Are you ready?" Merlinnius asked.
"Yes."
Merlinnius made a quick jump and rode the hot air up as another tremor turned the hot spring into spewing geyser. They flew over the rim. Kyorlyn looked back to see lava spewing slowly from what had once been the babbian caves.
"That will make Malar think twice about creating a secret army of his beasts again." Merlinnius chuckled, "It is good to fly again."
"Where are you taking us?" Drizzt asked.
"To Cormanthor Forest, near the ruins of the court. Rest yourselves. I have rested for over two hundred years waiting for this. I will not tire easily. We will be there after nightfall."
##########
Drizzt watched as the terrain below slowly changed. The salty shallows gave way to snowy peaks, then to desert, then to a forested mountain. Kyorlyn, behind Drizzt, kept her hands around his waist as they flew. She had fallen asleep hours before. He wondered how she could sleep sitting like that. He did not mind. He could feel the slight stirrings of their child against his back. It relaxed Drizzt. He could not help but smile as the wind blew in his face.
As they came closer to their destination, Merlinnius lowered the altitude of his flight. The moon was already high as he softly landed.
"We are here," Merlinnius announced, " I will stay with you until morning, after you have planted Seronamede. These woods are teeming with evil. There is a safe place two hours walk from here, but it should not be traveled at night. I can not leave you to fend for a bearing female by yourself in such a place."
"I welcome your company."
"I would like one more thing from you, Unusual drow. In your pocket is a figurine. I would like to say hello to my friend before I go. I have not seen her since Josidiah Starym was still her master. He has been dead for years."
"I am called Drizzt Do'Urden, The lady is my wife, Kyorlyn Starym Do'Urden. I would be glad to let you visit with Guenhwyvar." Drizzt said as he called forth his companion.
"That makes sense. She must be a relative of his. Guen always makes her way back to protect them, eventually. She protects who she can until then." Merlinnius replied.
Guen perked up her ears as soon as she appeared. She grunted and nuzzled Merlinnius.
Drizzt checked on Kyorlyn. She had started a fire and was making something to eat.
"I knew you would be famished when you woke up."
"I am making enough for both of us. You need to eat too."
"I'm not eating for two."
"No excuses. Sit with me and eat."
Drizzt smiled and shook his head, " Why do I end up with such aggressive women?"
"Pure luck, my love." She said as she smiled back.
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