The five companions reached the city of Silverymoon after a brisk three-day journey. Drizzt and Catti-brie took the lead, having traveled this road many times. They kept Dinin under guard at all times, his wrists bound in iron shackles. Drizzt carried Dinin's weapons, the hand crossbow and the long sword that he had carried since well before his time as a drider, would be returned to him only in an emergency or when he earned the trust of everyone there.
Ky'lor found himself the youngest elf, drow or otherwise, of this unique company. Only the human woman, Catti-brie, was younger than his 40 years of life. They all came with purpose. Drizzt would make haste to the south to find out if Zaknafein still lived and to save him. Legolas had the same goal of rescuing his own father. Catti-Brie was tasked with speaking on behalf of Mithral Hall. She was, in all technicality, the princess of the dwarven kingdom, and she went with the purpose of finding allies and saving the kingdom from the drow. Dinin came along because he was forced to.
What was Ky'lor's purpose? He had come along with questions. Questions about who he really was. Questions that only Zaknafein Do'Urden could answer for him. The young drow wizard could not call this mysterious weapons master father, even if it was his blood that tied Ky'lor and Drizzt together. But he still had questions.
And Ky'lor had questions for Drizzt. This long lost brother who had forsaken his own people to live on the surface, who had friends among surface races, and who led this company with wisdom and a strength of character that Ky'lor could admire. The way others regarded Drizzt was certainly something to be envied. The way Cattie-brie and Regis and even King Breunor trusted this renegade drow was a kind of loyalty that existed only among one group in Menzoberranzan: the Bregan D'aerthe. Jarlaxle may be a strange, eccentric, mysterious character who thrived on intrigue and opportunity, but not even a matron mother instilled loyalty in those who followed him more than the mercenary did.
"The gem of the north," Drizzt presented the city of Silverymoon proudly as he led his small company through the gates.
Ky'lor was utterly unprepared for the splendor that confronted him when they entered. The river Rauvin transversed through the city, dividing it into two and as the five of them strode through the broad avenues of Northbank, heading directly for Alustriel's palace, the young drow marveled at the sights.
"Not nearly as beautiful as Menzoberranzan," Dinin scoffed, rolling his eyes as he walked, flanked on either side by Drizzt and Catti-brie, his shackled wrists out in front of him. "Mediocre. To think that this could be a city of wizards. None of them could hope to be as skilled as the graduates of Sorcere."
Ky'lor frowned and glanced down at his robes as he and Legolas walked close behind the trio. His long royal purple robe with black and gold trim and drow script along the right side marked him as a student of Sorcere. It pained him that he wouldn't complete his studies there, he had gotten so far. He wondered if Jhul'net was getting by without him.
"Hold your tongue, brother," Drizzt warned at Dinin. "If you give me any trouble while we are in this city, I will leave you with the guards and insist that they feed you to the trolls of the Evermoors."
Ky'lor smirked and exchanged glances with Legolas. "Trolls are disgusting things," the elf commented. "Middle Earth is plagued with them as well." He glanced at Drizzt, his expression more serious. "Will the lady help us on our journey? You plan to inform her of our plans and our route?"
Drizzt nodded. "She is an ally," he explained. "A trusted friend and very advanced wizard. I chose to consult her for her magical expertise, and because I believe we can procure horses that will speed our journey considerably, at least to Waterdeep."
They arrived at the palace and again, Ky'lor marveled at such beauty. They were brought into its marble entrance way where they were met by a curiously well manicured dwarf.
"Greetings, Fret," Drizzt greeted. The unusually tidy dwarf regarded the drow and his companions.
"Interesting traveling partners," the dwarf commented, narrowing his eyes at Dinin and Ky'lor. "Well, let me take you to the lady."
Ky'lor shrank inwardly at the dwarf's scrutinizing gaze. He found it ironic. All his life, he had been careful to hide his dwarven heritage from the drow of Menzoberranzan. Half breeds were not well accepted and it was especially important to conceal this while he was at the academy. He was stalkier than the typical drow, he kept his face as cleanly shaven as possible.
But here, no one saw a dwarf when they looked at Ky'lor. They saw a drow. A shorter, broad shouldered drow perhaps, but still a drow.
They were brought to a large sitting room where the most beautiful woman sat waiting for them all. She was tall and slender with silver hair and a youthful appearance. But what stood out most to Ky'lor were the light robes and most intricately carved unicorn staff the young wizard had ever seen.
"These are Drizzt's brothers," Catti-brie explained as the lady stood to greet them. Ky'lor bowed his head politely while Dinin, in typical haughtiness, merely scoffed as he eyed the lady.
"Ky'lor is another son of Zaknafein," Drizzt explained after a brief introduction, turning to his younger brother. "One I never knew about. I suspect he will have questions for you."
The lady approached the group, looking over Ky'lor and Dinin. "If you would, might the two of you stand beside your brother for comparison's sake?" she asked in a pleasant, melodic voice.
Ky'lor felt puzzled by the request but he did as he was told, moving to stand to the right of Drizzt while Dinin flanked his brother from the left. The three stood shoulder to shoulder as the lady circled them, scrutinizing them.
Catti-brie and Legolas stood nearby with amused smirks as if the three were children lining up to be measured on a wall. But Ky'lor was intrigued by the comparison. Here, standing beside Drizzt, his dwarven parentage was more apparent. He had a lighter complexion, his skin a more lighter grey than the obsidian black of his brother. He stood about 4'10, a few inches shorter than Drizzt's 5'4, and his shoulders were broader, thicker, and heavier built. His thick white hair was wavier and coarser than his brother's sleek, straight locks. He kept his hair in thick multiple braids that fell past his shoulders.
Dinin, on the other hand, stood perhaps a few more inches taller than Drizzt. He wore his thin white hair to his neck and parted slightly on the left, letting his white trusses fall into the side of his face, slightly obscuring his right eye. His large eyes were a deep crimson red.
"What is the point of this irritating exercise?" Dinin mumbled as Lady Alustriel stopped in front of them.
"Curiosity's sake," she said simply, a thin smile crossing her lips. "It is often a strange thing how brothers can differ, yet they share more in common than they realize. Now Drizzt has come to me plenty of times with questions and with friendship. I have no doubt that his brothers will do the same."
"We shall see," Drizzt responded, gesturing to the brother on his left. Dinin merely rolled his eyes and moved to take a seat, having had his fill of this seemingly pointless endeavour.
"At least all three of ye have looks in common," Catti-brie pointed out, a noticeable bit of color on her cheeks as she admired the handsome brothers. "Gives a girl something pleasant to look at on this trip."
Dinin sneered at her in response as Alustriel turned her attention solely to Ky'lor now. "Drizzt, I would like to borrow your younger brother if you wouldn't mind," she spoke, reaching out to grab Ky'lor on the wrist. "As for your journey, I can provide you with horses and provisions and maps. And I would suggest that once you get to Waterdeep you seek out my sister, Laeral, a powerful mage who can provide you with information about the drow colonies on the surface. Perhaps the one who holds your father captive."
Drizzt nodded. "I certainly have questions," he responded. He glanced at Dinin. "It is strange to think of drow colonies on the surface, wouldn't you say?"
"Traitors," Dinin remarked with a shrug. "Fools and failures. Followers of the other gods, I would imagine. All enemies of Lolth. I have no knowledge of such colonies. Where a drow goes after they desert their homeland is no concern of mine, unless of course, they are my own flesh." He directed that last statement at Drizzt.
"Whatever the case, Laeral will have some information," Alustriel replied, casting a warning glance at the smug drow as she kept her gentle but firm grip on Ky'lor's wrist. "Living at such a lively port as Waterdeep, she sees many visitors from the south."
"If we time our arrival, I may be able to arrange passage to the south from Waterdeep," Drizzt explained thoughtfully, glancing over at Catti-brie who nodded. "If Captain Deudermont is in port, I believe he will not turn us away."
Dinin groaned dramatically. "You seem to have a long reach, brother," he commented. "Dwarves and wizards and sailors. And all of them see Drizzt Do'Urden as if he is a divine saint. I grow weary of so much fawning."
"Or perhaps ye grow jealous," Catti-brie quipped, in a taunting tone, turning the drow's glare upon her. His dangerous visage told everyone in the room that she had struck a chord.
"Enough," Drizzt prompted before glancing at Ky'lor. "I believe the lady requested a private audience with you, we will wait for your return."
Ky'lor nodded and glanced at the lady. She smiled and tugged at him, prompting him to follow her out of the room. He continued to marvel at the palace as she led him through the wide halls decorated with tapestries and intricately carved crystal chandeliers.
"Your unique gifts intrigue me," Alustriel explained as she led the young wizard through the halls, down a number of winding stairs, to a wooden door. "I believe I can help you."
"What help can you provide?" Ky'lor asked. He was puzzled by her interest in him, but he followed her every step. He understood he was in the presence of a great wizard.
"Answers and knowledge," the woman answered cryptically before opening the door and standing aside to grant him access.
Cautiously, Ky'lor entered the room and he took in an astonished breath when he saw what was inside. They were in a circular room with floor to ceiling shelves filled with magical items of every description. Stones, talismans, amulets, books stacked high in every available space. Wands and staffs of remarkable beauty. And in the very center was a massive crystal sphere.
"Silverymoon is a bastion of knowledge," Alustriel explained as she came into the room behind the young student. "We have libraries and vaults full of magic from all across the realms. And we have mages and wizards and even sorcerers of advanced skill and talent. But, my young friend, you will discover that we are but one of such places. You will find that though you were robbed of your studies in the drow city, you will gain a much greater knowledge than those who remain confined to their homeland."
"I do not know my purpose on this journey," Ky'lor admitted, turning to face the lady, speaking his feelings honestly and openly. "I feel as though events are unfolding too fast for me to catch up. I no longer know who I am. Or what."
"You are a wizard of two worlds," Alustriel answered with perfect clarity. "A rare gift. You will forever be a person caught between two lands. That of your father and that of your mother. But more than that, you are yourself. You will come into your own and your unique insight and your compassion for others will be your greatest asset."
"Compassion is not valued where I come from," Ky'lor pointed out. He recalled how much it pained him to see his fellow wizardry students gleam at bringing harm to the goblin slaves they practiced on.
"Yet you value it," Alustriel smiled. "You share these values with your brother. Perhaps something bestowed upon the two of you by your father."
It was true enough. Ky'lor preferred to study abjuration, a type of magic which focused on warding, banishing, and protecting. Protecting himself and others. Other students balked at such a focus. But Ky'lor was beginning to grow weary of being compared to Drizzt. Ever since he had met his older brother, it seemed as though he had found himself in his shadow. Dinin was obviously jealous of this, but Ky'lor found himself with mixed emotions. He admired Drizzt for his honor and compassion, but he wanted to be known for it as well.
Alustriel smiled as she met his eyes, as if she could sense his every thought. "You are not Drizzt," she emphasized knowingly. "You are Ky'lor. Eventually you will learn to stand apart from your brother. But this will help." Turning around, Alustriel sifted through the shelves of relics and books and her hands came upon one book in particular. She handed it to him. It was old, its leather binding was worn with use, but as Ky'lor opened it, his eyes widened in wonder.
"This was one of my first spellbooks many centuries ago," Alustriel explained. "I want you to have it. Learn from it and let it help you in your studies. You will become a wizard of renown, valued for your compassion and your honor. Your expertise will grow and your skill will someday rival those of mages."
Ky'lor was dumbstruck by this gift. He looked at her, this woman of wisdom, unable to speak. He felt overwhelmed by her gift and her acknowledgement of the wizard he desired to be. And as if that wasn't enough, Alustriel sifted through her belongings again and handed him a wand. A beautiful, delicate wand of ivory. As Ky'lor took it in his hands, he could feel its power.
"Take these gifts," Alustriel insisted. "And when you arrive in Waterdeep, seek out my sister for she is also a skilled wizard."
"Thank you," Ky'lor said sincerely. "I will not disappoint you."
Alustriel smirked and nodded. "Come, I will return you to your companions," she said and Ky'lor went with her, determined and more enthusiastic for this journey than he had ever been before.