All right, I think I got it now--sorry for the delay….
Chapter 19--Defending A Friend's Honor
Once Wulfgar and Arian arrived at Bryn Shander they headed straight for Cassius' home. They were stopped by many of the merchants who asked about Drizzt and if the news was true. Each offered their condolences to them and Catti-brie.
"How do they know what happened?" Arian asked.
"Someone on the caravan we helped must have told them," Wulfgar said.
Finally they reached Cassius' house and Wulfgar banged on the door. After a few minutes it opened and a servant peered out at them. "May I help you?" he asked.
"We need to speak to Cassius, it's urgent," Wulfgar said.
"He is in a meeting at the council house," the servant said. "You could go there and see if you may speak with him."
"Thank you," Wulfgar said. They headed that way. "This is probably better, we can tell the whole council at once, though they've probably all ready heard."
They entered the council hall with no trouble and Cassius looked up and saw them. He stood. "Greetings, Wulfgar, we have heard of the tragedy that has fallen. I offer my condolences, Ranger Do'Urden will be missed," he said.
Kemp snorted rudely. "Bah, one less damned Drow to worry about, he'll be easily replaced with a proper ranger," he said.
Martel, the spokesman for Termalaine, stood, eyes filled with fury. "You show no respect to one who guarded our towns faithfully!!" he said.
"Just because your fool of a father befriended that beast doesn't mean I did. He would have brought trouble sooner or later. It's good he is gone," Kemp retorted, standing as well.
The rest of the spokesmen were dead silent, shocked.
"He defended these towns for a long time, asking nothing in return, he didn't ask for pay, we insisted on giving it to him when the cities began to grow. You shouldn't malinger his name like that!!!" Martel snapped.
Kemp opened his mouth to retort, but he was interrupted before he spoke.
"You insult my mentor and friend as well as a friend to the Clan Battlehammer, I won't endure it, be silent or fight a duel of honor with me for one who can not defend his own," Wulfgar snarled.
Lindon stood quickly and banged his gavel on the table. "Order, there'll be no fight here, Kemp, show respect," he warned.
Kemp glared at Wulfgar. "That Drow doesn't deserve my respect and neither does this savage," he snapped.
Rage surged through Wulfgar mixed with sorrow for his friend's death, Catti-brie's grief and the guilt he felt for not being able to save his friend. He couldn't stop himself. His fist shot out and connected solidly with Kemp's nose with a satisfying crunch.
Kemp went down with a yell, clutching his bloody nose. "Cursed savage! How dare you!!" he shouted. "I'll see you arrested for this!!"
Wulfgar ignored the threat. "Drizzt had more honor in one hand then you have in your whole body. I know what you and one of your men did after you found Drizzt injured and unconscious after the barbarian horde had fled, only a coward kicks a man when he is down. You're nothing, Kemp, nothing," he said coldly. He turned and walked towards the door.
"I'm truly sorry for Drizzt's death, my condolences to all of you and especially Lady Do'Urden. If she needs anything at all I would be honored to provide it," Martel said quietly.
Wulfgar nodded his thanks and left the council house.
Arian followed. "So now what do we do?" he asked.
"I'm going home," Wulfgar said. "You can stay here if you wish."
"No, I'd rather come back with you. I can help out with work that needs to be done for now," Arian said. "I don't want to stay here."
"As you wish," Wulfgar said. They got their horses from the stable and rode off towards Lonelywood….
So did it stink? I wanted to get Wulfgar's feelings too. Do you want Bruenor next? Don't worry, we'll get back to Drizzt soon…..R/R please!!!