Chapter 25: Grand Solutions
After a short rest, Kyorlyn invited Ganlarg, Thelan and his companions for a meal.
Mord was invited as well, but declined in favor of helping his tribe set up their new camp.
Ganlarg turned it down, preferring to get back to the mines to tell Halaur of what Oomanni and Mord had said about the army of orcs headed towards them.
Drizzt decided to go inform the leaders of the Ten Towns of the menace heading their direction.
While Kyorlyn fixed dinner, Thelan and Jamnar rummaged through the furniture in the storage room to look for a crib for Montolio.
Hapshath decided he was the best to keep Montolio occupied. He had a wife and child on Evermeet. "I missed the birth my son. I suppose taking care of the little one will prepare me when I see him."
"You have not seen your son?"
"No, Lady Kyorlyn. I have been working. This is my last tour of duty before I return home."
"Montolio likes you. You will be a very good father to your son."
" I found one." Jamnar shouted, "But it needs a good dusting, oiling and some linens. Kyorlyn, where is the linen closet?"
"Next to the storage room. Where is Thelan?"
"I'm helping Jamnar get the thing out of the room. Is it okay to set it in the parlor for now?"
"Of course, but don't take too long. Dinner is almost ready."
The smell of roast pork and baked yams wafted through the house.
Thelan found the smell distracting as he and Jamnar readied the crib.
"Is the crib ready yet? Montolio just fell asleep on my shoulder. Kyorlyn's food is making my mouth water and I need to go to the garderobe."
"Almost." Thelan said quietly. "I just need to get the blankets into it."
"Dinner is ready. Wonderful! You three did a very good job of setting up his crib."
"We are sailors. We have to be prepared for anything that comes our way. We do it quickly and we do it well. " Jamnar stood, and made a flourish with his arm as he bragged.
Hapshath put Montolio into the crib carefully and covered him wit the soft woolen blanket. He then rushed for the garderobe to relieve himself.
Montolio opened his eyes a moment, made a sweet sigh and fell back to sleep.
Kyorlyn leaned into the crib and gave Montolio a kiss on the forehead before she told her guests that dinner was on the table.
"Go ahead and eat. I am going upstairs to change."
"Where did you get that armor Aunt Kyorlyn?"
"A merchant in the square, Thelan. The craftsmanship is exquisite. It cost me quite a bit, but no more than some of the other masterworks he was selling. Is there a problem?"
"No, no. Go ahead and change. I will talk to you about it after dinner."
"Collin, you have to listen to me. There are a large number of orcs headed this direction." Drizzt pleaded with the young lord who ran Bryn Shander.
"I know you mean well, Master Drizzt, but we have to have our own proof. You understand?" the too thin, pale young man said in a haughty tone.
"That will do no good. They will murder your scouts before you can get word back."
Collin played with a curl on his finely coiffed red hair. He brushed a stray speck of dust off of his blue velvet surcoat and reached into his pocket for his gold snuffbox.
"I see you have very little concern for this threat."
"Your own children watch from Kelvin's Cairn. They have yet to report sighting anything other than that tribe of shape shifters. Do not tell me that you trust those shifters to your own children?"
Drizzt bristled with anger. He tried to keep himself from shouting at the young man.
Drizzt had sent some of his children and grandchildren to the other towns to inform them of the threat.
Drizzt preferred to handle Lord Collin Pennwyth himself. If Lord Pennwyth approved of arming, the rest of the cities would easily follow.
Collin had been spokesman for Bryn Shander for a scant four years, and treated his post as if he was entitled to it by birth.
Cassius, whom had led Bryn Shander when Drizzt first arrived, was Collin's great-grandfather on his mother's side.
Collin's father had been a nobleman from the east.
Collin used those two facts to assume power. He wanted to eventually control all of the Ten Towns.
Drizzt was one of the main opponents to stand in the way of his grand ambitions.
"I trust my children. I sent them to the other towns to warn them as well."
"Tsk, tsk. You should have waited until you had my approval to do so. There is no sense in spreading a panic based on rumors from filthy shape-shifters. If I had my way, I would drive them off."
"If you had your way, you would claim the Ten Towns as your own personal kingdom." Drizzt thought to himself.
"You can not trust such beasts. They are no better than the animals they change into."
"So, was it you who gave the outer guard of the city to attack their women and children?"
"No, I was unaware until my captain reported it to me here in my manor. Which reminds me, I will have to have it expanded very soon. I have signed a marriage contract with a maiden from a very prestigious family from Waterdeep. I expect you to attend the wedding, along with that son of yours who runs Lonelywood. Which one is he?"
"He is my grandson, and his name is Bennan. We are getting off of the subject. Are you going to ready your troops or not?"
"I think not. I do not want my new bride to be alarmed when I meet her. She is on her way, you know. I must make a good first impression. I assured her father that Bryn Shander had not seen war or hardship in seventy years. Please do not try to tarnish my reputation, Drizzt."
Drizzt sighed. "I will take may leave, Collin."
"Lord Collin, Drizzt. You may not be much for formalities but I am."
A servant led Drizzt from Collin's self-made 'throne room' and closed the door.
Drizzt could hear the fool's loud laughter through the door.
"I hope your new bride spits in your face and runs back to her father," Drizzt muttered to himself as he left the manor.
"Czan, you'd best stay out of sight. The way these silly city people fear orcs, they might take one look at you, draw weapons first and ask later."
"I will do as you ask, Uncle Mord."
"Keep an eye out for Sahlhar. She is driving me insane with her constant nagging."
"She wants you dead. That affection she has for her brother is more than it should be."
"I don't think I will let her kill me yet. Wait until the babe is born. Then I will see whether to divorce her or not. The babe's existence will help keep the tribe together."
"I hope so."
Czan picked up his gear and helped Oomanni to pitch up the Chieftain's yurt.
He was very concerned with the moodiness and crying fits the woman was having.
Czan knew that if Oomanni hurt herself, Mord would be heartbroken.
It was too dangerous for Mord to be over-emotional. Czan knew too well what happened the last time Mord went berserk. It was these infrequent rages as much as animosity towards half-breeds that made the Wolf Tribe's existence dangerously near extinction.
"Oomanni, don't be so sad. Kyorlyn said you could come and see the little one as often as you wanted. Isn't that what Mord said?"
"Yes, that is what he said, but what happens when we move on? My little Padarahk will have to stay. "
"You will have another little one to help take care of soon."
"Sahlhar will never let me near the child. She will take over as Chieftess, then she will try and cast me out any way she can."
"That will only happen if it is a boy, and you know it. Mord's seed is strong, but it is the women in Sahlhar's family are the strong ones. Her body may force out a strong girl, despite he longing for a boy."
"I hope you are right,"
Drizzt met with his children that he sent as representatives to the other towns as the nine of them headed back to Lonelywood.
"How was your luck with Lord Collin?"
"Not good, I'm afraid, Nalfein."
"So far, only two of the other towns stand behind us, father." Regina added.
"Those are not good odds, especially since I will be taking Halaur and his dwarven armies down to Mithril Hall."
"Perhaps having the wolf-changers among us is not a bad idea."
"True, Tobian, but it is a question of whether they will stand with us, after the harsh treatment they have received." Regina said to her son. "They may just have their ceremony and move on."
Drizzt stopped midway in his brisk walk and put his left hand to his chin.
"What is it, grandfather? "Kevan asked as he stopped and turned.
"Somehow, I have the feeling that they may stay longer. The chieftess of their tribe is very attached to Montolio. That alone may be the one factor that can keep them here long enough to fight."
"When is their ceremony?"
"Sunrise, after the next full moon."
"Two days." Regina clarified.
"Come, let's get back. I am certain that Kyorlyn is waiting for news from me."
Tobian gave a chuckle as he said, "Oh yes, I am sure it is only news that Kyorlyn wants from you."
"That, is not a subject I wish to discuss right now," Drizzt said as winked and made a slight smile at Tobian.
Kyorlyn knew that Drizzt would be upset that she left Montolio with Thelan and his men, but Mord had requested her presence.
Sahlhar had gone into early labor.
Although Kyorlyn expressed to the messengers, Chak and Ankgar, that she was not a midwife by any means, but the two insisted that she be there for the birth.
Kyorlyn did not mind. She had planned to go for a walk to collect her thoughts anyway.
The information Thelan gave her about the origins of her armor and her cloak kept running through her mind as she walked with Chak and Ankgar.
"That armor is very rare. As far as I know, it is only made one place, Perinath.
The cloak is made from an animal called a giant snow weasel. Because of the harsh, volcanic, snow covered peaks where the giant snow weasels live, their hides are nearly impervious to both cold and heat. The weasels are hard to catch and even harder to kill, making anything made of their hides valuable.
The armor is known as gossamer witch hair armor. It is not really hair, but hair-thin branches of the witch willow tree. There is only one tree to be known to exist, and only those who tend and protect the tree make the armor. It is extremely strong, yet does not hamper spells, which is why it is made primarily for spell casters rather than warriors. The wizard on one of my ships that recently disappeared had such armor. I am not certain, but the armor you are wearing could have belonged to her. Please help me find the merchant. He may hold the key to my missing ships."
"Lady Kyorlyn?"
"Huh?"
"I asked you if you were feeling alright."
"I am fine, Chak. My thoughts were just wandering."
"I thought perhaps that the scars on your face still pained you. They are still pink."
"No, they no longer hurt."
"If you wish to be rid of the scar, I am sure my friend, Czan would be happy to return your face to its former beauty."
"No. I have many scars, and every scar reminds me how precious life is. This scar will help me to remember that Oomanni saved my son's life. I owe her much."
A wail made its way across the cold breeze.
Chak and Ankgar changed form into giant wolves.
"Come, it will be faster if you ride on my back." Chak stood still to allow Kyorlyn to get on his back.
Mord sat on the pile of furs outside of Sahlhar's yurt.
The wailing sounds of the women praying to Father wolf to save the life of Sahlhar echoed through Mord's head.
Czan sat on the ground cross legged next to his chieftain, partially for comfort and partially for protection.
Iritr was pacing back and forth near the wailing women, issuing threats. "If my sister dies, I will kill Mord in revenge for her suffering."
The Eldest of all the women put her hand on Iritr's shoulder, "This is women's pain. You have no right to revenge. Revenge is for a woman to take, not you."
Iritr shoved the Eldest aside.
The old woman fell onto the cold ground with a thud and a crack. The sound of her scream carried on the wind.
The women broke their prayer circle to go help the Eldest.
The old woman's left hip was broken.
"You've dishonored the Eldest, Iritr. Go to your yurt. You will be dealt with later!" Czan shouted as he ordered Iritr to his tent.
"You have no right to order me, orc blood."
"I order ye then!" Mord stood and shouted. "Your interference has halted the chanting of the wise women. Ye may have sealed the death of your sister when ye interrupted their prayers. "
Iritr stopped his pacing and widened his eyes. He took a couple of deep breaths and stomped to his yurt.
The prayer women reformed their circle and began chanting again.
Mord went back to his seat on the furs and let out a sigh as he clenched his fists.
One of the midwives sped out of Sahlhar's yurt and over to Mord.
"Chieftain," the midwife said as she tried to hold back tears, "Her water has broken, and the baby has not turned. Sahlhar is growing too tired to push. We are doing what we can to keep Sahlhar alive. I canna be sure if anything can be done for the child."
"I hoped to have my child blessed by the benefactor." Mord sighed as he tried to keep from crying.
Thelan sat on the couch taking reverie when Drizzt came through the door.
Montolio grunted a couple of times, annoyed at the noise, but rolled over and quickly fell back to sleep.
Drizzt looked into the crib and smiled. He straightened the blanket to make sure that Montolio stayed covered.
Thelan opened his eyes. "Hello uncle, how was your negotiation?"
"Not good."
Thelan shook his head and folded his hands on his lap. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not unless you know a way to take out those orcs before they reach the towns."
Thelan smiled widely. "You know, uncle, perhaps I do have a way, if I can make it back to my ship. I am guessing just the sight of a spelljammer would scare the pants, or whatever orcs wear on their nether regions, off a group of orcs."
Drizzt blinked a couple of times as he sat next to Thelan. "I am not sure why I did not think of that myself. I was frightened the first time I saw a ship that could fly over the land as swiftly as it could through the waves on the ocean."
Thelan stood. "Then it is settled. The Golden Doom will sweep over the orcs and scatter them. Want to come along?"
Drizzt smiled, "Most certainly. Let me tell Kyorlyn of your plan. I am certain she will want to accompany us. I am certain Zarra would not mind watching Montolio while we are away."
"Kyorlyn is not here."
"Where is she?"
"Mord's second wife went into early labor. She went to the wolf-changer's camp to help."
"Alone?" Drizzt stared at Thelan and frowned.
"Of course not. Ankgar and Chak came to collect her. They assured me that they would protect her with their lives. From the way they spoke, that is not a vow the wolf-changers take lightly."
Drizzt stood, bundled up Montolio and prepared to take the child over to his daughter-in-law's house. "It will be quicker if we go to get her. Get your men ready."
"Aye, aye Drizzt."
Czan met Kyorlyn, Chak and Ankgar at the edge of the camp.
At first, Kyorlyn was startled by Czan's physical appearance ,but the slight fear went away quickly.
"I am so glad you came to us, Lady Kyorlyn. I am Czan, Mord's nephew. Our midwives and healers are at a loss. We heard you had a way with natural things. I am hoping that you can help Sahlhar and save the baby."
"I will do what I can."
Czan lead Kyorlyn past the prayer circle to Sahlhar's yurt.
Kyorlyn paused and put her hand on Mord's shoulder.
Mord looked up and gave a sigh of relief. "I knew ye would come. Do what ye can for the child. I hate to say this to ye, but if Sahlhar canna be saved, let it be. She's been an enormous thorn in me side."
"Here, it will not cure your anguish, but it may give you some hope." Kyorlyn pulled the book of Anthealda from her pack and handed it to Mord.
"Where did ye get this? This belongs to the benefactor."
"I have had it since I was a small child. My goddess, Meilikki instructed me to give it to you."
"Yea. This is a good thing to have. We will surely be blessed this time."
"I will do what I can to help Sahlhar and your child. Perhaps the child will change her. The birth of my son changed me."
"I hope so. Go on milady."
Kyorlyn handed Mord her satchel and went inside the yurt.
"Lady Kyorlyn. The baby hasna turned. Me and the other midwives tried to turn the child, but it is too far down for us to turn. Sahlhar wouldna listen to us when we told her not to push. She is a know-it all, she is."
"Get the witch outta here. I doona need some elf to help me with this."
"Hush, Sahlhar before ye kill yourself." another of the midwives said as she rubbed a cool, we cloth across Sahlhar's forehead."
Sahlhar took a few deep breaths and nodded as another sharp pain shot through her body.
"May the gods help me." Kyorlyn whispered as she went over to examine Sahlhar.
"Can ye turn the baby?"
"Is there any way you can put Sahlhar to sleep?"
The midwives stopped for a moment.
"How can she push the baby out if she's asleep?" One of the older midwives exclaimed.
"Do not ask questions now, just do it. I have an idea."
"See, she is going to kill me and the heir too!" Sahlhar shouted before the midwives proceeded to put her to sleep with their spells.
"Here," Kyorlyn pulled Lindelea and handed it to one of the midwives.
One of the younger midwives screamed and ran from the yurt.
"Ignore her." Kyorlyn said flatly. "Put the sword in Sahlhar's hands. It is a healing sword. It will prevent any harm while I help the baby. Help her to keep the sword in her grasp."
The midwife nodded and did as Kyorlyn asked.
"You, come here. I will massage Sahlhar's sides and stomach. If she relaxes enough, you may be able to turn the baby around."
"What use will that be if she is asleep? She will not be able to push."
"She will not have to. If my magic works, you will be able to pull the baby out with ease once the baby is righted."
Kyorlyn knew that flesh and bone was nothing like wood or plant, but she hoped that if she could widen the path enough, the baby would be safe.
Kyorlyn knew she may have to force Sahlhar's hips out of their sockets, but hopefully Lindelea would help to heal the damage once she put the hips back into place.
Kyorlyn concentrated and hummed. She slowly caused the muscles in Sahlhar's hips to ease and completely loosen. She then concentrated to make the bones of the hips come out of the sockets without tearing up the tissues that held them there.
"Turn the little one now." Kyorlyn said as she hummed her spell.
The midwife smiled as the baby easily turned in her hands.
Kyorlyn closed her eyes and hummed more intensely as she loosened the muscles around the birth canal. A bead of sweat fell from her brow as she concentrated.
A living being was much more fragile, and it was taking all of Kyorlyn's strength to make sure little to no damage was done.
"Pull the baby out now, quickly."
The midwife was amazed at the ease the baby slipped out from the birth canal.
Kyorlyn opened her eyes a moment to make sure the baby was out of the mother before she began to slowly place the muscles and hips back into place.
Once done, she breathed a sigh of relief, wiped her brow.
As soon as the baby gave out a wail of life, Kyorlyn grabbed the blade of Lindelea, allowing her hand to be cut.
The midwives gasped at Kyorlyn wounding herself.
"Why?" One midwife said as she swaddled the whimpering baby girl.
"To insure any harm I did will heal."
Kyorlyn felt dizzy as she saw the color coming back into Sahlhar's cheeks. She took the sword from Sahlhar and fell to unconsciousness before she could sheathe the sword.
"Iritr, pleas stop drinking and get up! Are you listening? The white witch is going to kill Sahlhar. Mord and Czan will do nothing. You have to go kill her now!" the young midwife shouted out.
"Men don't enter during a birthing. It is bad luck."
"You are Sahlhar's brother. Father wolf must make an exception for you! The elf pulled a sword! Sahlhar is going to be murdered."
"As long as you have taken running around like a chicken, the deed may have already been done. I will wait, and take my revenge out in elven blood."
The young midwife sighed and left Iritr's yurt.
Iritr took a few more gulps of his mead and sat patiently until he heard a commotion outside.
Iritr threw his horn of mead to the floor and stood. He strapped his finest sword to his side and strode from his yurt.
Iritr was not prepared to walk into a celebration.
One of the young women grabbed Iritr snuggly and begged him to dance with her.
"Sahlhar is safe and the babe is hearty and hale! It is a miracle, Iritr!"
"What are you speaking about, Hani?"
"Thanks to Lady Kyorlyn, your sister is safe from all harm!"
"You make no sense woman, get out of my way."
Iritr strode towards Mord's yurt.
Mord was outside his yurt conversing with Drizzt, Thelan and Oomanni.
"What the devil is happening? First I hear the white witch is murdering my sister, now she is fine?"
Drizzt turned suddenly and grabbed Iritr by the throat. "You will not call my wife that ever again, do you hear? Kyorlyn is lying in Mord's yurt, extremely ill because she over-exerted herself saving Sahlhar and her child's life. She has done nothing to harm any of you. If anything, she has done her best to save you and yours. Shut your mouth!"
"Let him go, Drizzt, he is not worth it." Thelan said as he put his hand on Drizzt's shoulder. "Kyorlyn is fine, just exhausted. All she needs is a little rest and she will be fine."
"I am fine," Kyorlyn said as she opened the flap on the tent and stumbled out.
"Oh no ye don't, Oodachee. You need a bit more sleep." Oomanni said as she picked Kyorlyn up and tried to usher her back inside the yurt.
"But I want to be awake to see Mord present the child to the rising moon."
"That'll not be for a while yet. I will wake you, Oodachee. Don't worry."
"Oomanni, what does Oodachee mean?"
Oomanni laughed. "In the old tongue, it literally means the best of good luck. True meaning is good luck charm."
"Oh."
Drizzt let go of Iritr and laughed. "Yes, my wife does seem to have luck with her always."
Oomanni smirked as she carried Kyorlyn into the yurt and stayed to make sure Kyorlyn heeded her words.
"Mord, are you sure you should be letting Oomanni carry Kyorlyn, or for that matter, any heavy objects around right now?"
Mord Looked at Thelan and blinked, "Why not?"
Thelan looked at Mord sternly. "In her condition? I know you are a sturdy people, but why risk the life of another of your children?"
Mord's eyes went wide and he nearly fell over. "Oomanni? No, she can't be. Are you a shaman? How can you tell?"
Thelan threw his head back and laughed. He had to straighten the red headband to keep it from falling over his eyes. "No, Mord, I have no foresight. I have simply been around enough breeding women to know what areas of their body harden and thicken. I see you have not noticed her stomach, although still small, beginning to take a rounded shape."
"No. I've had neither of my wives to bed for quite some time. I've had little time for tupping, and my wives each have their own tents."
Iritr stood looking at Thelan. The words the elf spoke ran quickly through Iritr's head.
If Oomanni was indeed with child, then his grand plan to usurp Mord could never work.
Iritr strode towards the edge of the camp and switched to wolf form. He ran by himself in order to collect his thoughts and formulate a new plan.
Drizzt, Kyorlyn and Thelan sat and watched as Mord went into Sahlhar's tent to retrieve his newborn.
The members of the wolf-changer tribe howled in salute as he exited with the baby in his arms. Sahlhar walked a few steps behind, supported by two of the midwives.
"I have a daughter! I claim to the rising of the moon, in honor of Father Wolf, her name shall be Vari'vanim, which means protector!"
Mord unwrapped the baby and held her naked form to the sky.
After a moment, he carefully lowered his daughter and handed her to Sahlhar to swaddle and hold.
The camp erupted in cheers.
Kyorlyn smiled with tears of joy in her eyes as Sahlhar made her way to her.
"You gave her my old name."
"Yes, in thanks for saving our lives. More so, ye have made my life better."
"How so?"
"I was born with a limp. I hadda depend on Iritr and Mord to help me some days. Somehow, while you saved me and my child, you also cured my limp. I no longer need the help to walk at all. I've thought about it all day. I shouldna been so arrogant."
"It was the will of the gods. I only did what I thought was right. It is them you should thank."
"I will." Sahlhar smiled and made her way to her yurt.
Czan walked over as Kyorlyn and Drizzt stood.
"I'm going with you."
"What Czan?"
"When you take the flying ship to the orcs, I am going with you."
"That may not be a good idea, Czan. Seeing someone with orc blood on the ship may strengthen their resolve instead of frighten them off." Thelan said as he stood.
"I know where the port where your ship is. I know a shortcut. I am going with you."
"Oh, Czan. with all of the excitement I nearly forgot to give you this." Kyorlyn said as she reached into her satchel and pulled out the mace Circynio carried. "I was told to give this to you."
Czan's eyes went wide as he studied the detailed ornamentation that was all over the mace.
"Do you know what this is, Lady Kyorlyn?"
"No, only that a friend carried it and told me to give it to you."
"This is a Silverstar mace, a mace made for a group of orcs and half-orcs that Selune granted godhood to. They are the only good orcish gods. These maces are rare, and blessed by Selune as well as the Silverstar gods."
"It makes sense to me. My friend was a shape-shifter. Only he was a bear."
"This seals it. Now I must go with you, and you are not talking me out of it."
"Very well," Thelan sighed, "We leave immediately."
"I hoped to be here to see this goddess that Mord sees as a benefactor."
"I too had hoped to enjoy myself a little in the celebration before we set out, Kyorlyn." Czan said, "It is important to have a little pleasure. It makes the fight more, um tasteful." Czan looked over Drizzt's shoulder at the revelers around the huge bonfire that had been lit.
Thelan also looked behind Drizzt in the direction of the revelers. "Hmm, quite nice. I agree with Czan, pleasure before business. Thelan loosened his shirt and ran toward the celebration.
Drizzt raised an eyebrow a scant moment before Kyorlyn reached under his cloak and put her hands around his waist protectively.
A nude, giggling woman ran past them, followed closely by an equally nude male giving chase.
Drizzt smiled as he understood what Thelan and Czan meant by enjoying the pleasures of the festival.
"The last group of Mord's scouts say that at their fastest, the orcs are five days away. What harm is there in a little bit of enjoyment before we go crack some orc skulls?"
Kyorlyn pulled Drizzt tighter to her and toyed with the hair on the back of his neck.
Drizzt lifted Kyorlyn off of her feet and swung her until she was cradled in his arms. "I prefer my pleasures in a bit more private place. " He strode over to the other side of some rocky outcroppings.
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