Chapter 3: Tale of a Blade
For once during his visit, Solonund was not talking constantly. Drizzt felt it was a relief. Although he enjoyed Solonund's company, and enjoyed the way it made Mooshie happy , it was nice to have him just shut up.
"Drizzt, you still call Father, Mooshie." Solonund said quietly.
"Yes, I do. He may be very good to me, but I had a father, a very good father. My father is the reason I had the courage to get away from the depravity that haunts my race."
"You are still my brother, and will be until I take my last breath. I would like to know about your father? Perhaps that can be tonight's tale."
"You are stalling again. What is so wrong with that sword that you fear it so much?"
"It is not the sword, it is the memories that it holds."
"It does no good to keep things bottled up, or hide things behind bravado. I guess this means your story will be more sober and less colorful than the last few you have told."
"It has color, the color of pure water and fresh blood. Those colors that haunt me."
"That is why the tale must be told, Solonund, so you can look at it fresh, and understand the reason for it better."
Solonund simply nodded at Drizzt.
"Boys, summer will soon be here. It is already warm. Let's listen to the tale outside where we can breathe." Montolio said, "and the moonlight should be bright enough to get a look at the sword."
As Drizzt and Montolio sat under the moonlight, Solonund drew his sword. The sword was a piece of art. The steel shown a blue hue in the moonlight. Drizzt knew it was not a trick of the moon. The thin blade truly had a blue cast to it. Solonund waived the sword around a few times. The sound it made as the air rushed past it was like soft and gentle music. The sword looked fragile, but Drizzt knew it was not.
"This story begins in the slave markets of Calimshan, " Solonund said somberly, "There was a girl and her brother up on the block for sale. Despite goading and whipping but the auctioneer, the girl begged for whomever bought them to return them home. I could not resist. The desperation in that girl's eyes I had seen in my mother's eyes a thousand times. I used almost all my gold to buy the two. Once paid for, I promised them I would get them home. The boy's name was Shun, his sister was Sho. They were from a wandering tribe called the Annui. Sho explained that the Annui rarely traveled very far west for fear the Red Wizards of Thay would enslave their entire tribe.
Sho was a shaman, a holy girl. She explained that her absence could put her tribe in danger. While leaving their camp to tend to a woman in childbirth, they had been captured by a bandit tribe called the Reikki. No matter how hard he fought, he could not prevent the bandits from taking them. They were outnumbered. Sho had comforted Shun, telling him that there are no such things as accidents, telling him that their unavoidable capture was for a reason. Shun said that he refused to believe Sho until he looked into my eyes. It was apparent that Shun had a similar talent to his sister. He told me he had seen my eyes in a dream before their abduction.
Shun was the next in line to lead the Annui. Because of his position as the next leader, he was also responsible for Sho's protection.
I was worried about protecting the two as we made our way east, but not long into the journey, I realized that they might be protecting me. Sho was a master of the bow. She taught me much. Shun on the other hand, had a great talent for the sword. I was amazed because these two humans were so young, and yet much more skilled than I.
I was amazed at the many sights and sounds that the journey East held. They taught me the names of plants and animals. Never before in my life had I felt Meilikki so close with me on my path. I was discovering much about myself. On our journey, Shun showed a genuine interest in the ways of Meilikki. I taught him everything I knew. The despair I had seen on Shun's face disappeared as he felt Mielikki's presence. He told me of the children of the Annui disappearing, never to be seen again. He hoped with the grace of his newfound goddess, he would be able to track the slavers better, so the children who were stolen could be returned to them.
We found the Annui in Thesk. They had been trading their wares and had begun the journey back to KaraTur. The people of the Annui were suspicious of me at first, but when the elders proclaimed that my arrival had been foretold, they accepted me. They did not care about my past, or how I came to them. Sho's husband, Aran, was elated. He had given up hope that his bride would ever return. Shun and Sho's grandfather, the tribe leader, told me that my arrival would mean great rejoicing and great sadness."
Solonund paused for a moment to wipe away his tears and clear his throat. Drizzt knew this story was tearing him apart inside, but he was eager to hear more. Drizzt touched his own face and realized he was also shedding tears. It was as if he felt Solonund's pain.
"Although the Annui traveled constantly, many men of the tribe were master sword smiths. Aran was one of the finest of these. He made this sword for me. They stretch the metal then fold it until it is close to the right size and balance, then it is pounded and sharpened. It makes the blade flexible, strong, and extremely sharp. Sharper than any blade I have found in the west.
I stayed with the Annui for nearly a year. During the last three months of my stay, several of the children started disappearing from the tribe. The Annui were dwindling. Many of its young adults chose to live in towns or cities they camped near on their route. If the children of those who chose to stay among the Annui continued to disappear, there would be no children left. We made a more permanent camp.
Sho tried to divine the places best to search. My tracking skills tuned up no clues. Shun searched with me, hopping to see something I might have missed. Whomever was stealing the children as they slept knew of Shun's and my skills, and were prepared.
Because I was the outsider , suspicion naturally fell to me. I was not allowed to keep watch. Every movement I made was scrutinized. Aran refused to look me in the face. The Annui were convinced that I was the slaver, despite my protests. Shun decided it might be better if we split up and looked in different places. I searched where Sho pointed, and Shun made a perimeter search. Shun was not prepared to find what he did.
Aran and Sho were the slavers. Sho wanted to live in a city, but she wanted to live the life of a rich merchant's wife. Aran wanted to have a permanent forge. Aran wanted his work to be more appreciated and thought that customers that sought him out would give him the fame he desired. Neither of them cared what happened to the 'backwards little tribe,' as long as they were rich enough to buy what they wanted immediately upon leaving the Annui.
Shun was disgusted at what his sister had done and demanded that honor be satisfied."
"Go on," Montolio said as Solonund's voice wavered.
"Sho had planned to sell off her brother, because he was in the way of her plans. She was double crossed. That is why she was in Calimshan with him. The fear in her eyes was that of a criminal afraid to be found out.
As long as I stayed with the Annui, Aran and Sho were hesitant to start selling slaves again, but their greed got the best of them. Aran wanted to know the level of my skills so he could find a way around them. Sho's 'divinations' were only a way to keep Shun and me off the scent.
I was the one they most dishonored, so by the rule of the Annui, I was the one who had to kill them. I publicly decapitated them with this sword. The Annui rejoiced at the fact that their children were safe and the slavers were dead, but I felt no such joy. I packed my things and left a week later." Solonund finished, unable to hold back his tears any longer. He sheathed his sword and fell to the ground.
Drizzt walked over and embraced Solonund," You can not blame yourself for the actions of others. At least you got Shun back to the Annui. What happened to Shun?"
"He is leader of the tribe, a good leader. Respectful of the land and the creatures on it. Shun follows Meilikki well."
"Then Meilikki led you. She wanted you to save Shun, so he could be a good leader." Montolio said, "The lady of the forest has ever guided you. You know this to be true."
Solonund's sobs slowed and he wiped his face," Look at me, crying like a baby. I wanted you to know how much I had grown and I turn into a pudding. "
Solonund pushed Drizzt away gently, " No more sympathy. I have finally gotten the pain out."
**********
Author's Note: I based the Annui on the Romany and the Rabari Tribes of India. Please review.
For once during his visit, Solonund was not talking constantly. Drizzt felt it was a relief. Although he enjoyed Solonund's company, and enjoyed the way it made Mooshie happy , it was nice to have him just shut up.
"Drizzt, you still call Father, Mooshie." Solonund said quietly.
"Yes, I do. He may be very good to me, but I had a father, a very good father. My father is the reason I had the courage to get away from the depravity that haunts my race."
"You are still my brother, and will be until I take my last breath. I would like to know about your father? Perhaps that can be tonight's tale."
"You are stalling again. What is so wrong with that sword that you fear it so much?"
"It is not the sword, it is the memories that it holds."
"It does no good to keep things bottled up, or hide things behind bravado. I guess this means your story will be more sober and less colorful than the last few you have told."
"It has color, the color of pure water and fresh blood. Those colors that haunt me."
"That is why the tale must be told, Solonund, so you can look at it fresh, and understand the reason for it better."
Solonund simply nodded at Drizzt.
"Boys, summer will soon be here. It is already warm. Let's listen to the tale outside where we can breathe." Montolio said, "and the moonlight should be bright enough to get a look at the sword."
As Drizzt and Montolio sat under the moonlight, Solonund drew his sword. The sword was a piece of art. The steel shown a blue hue in the moonlight. Drizzt knew it was not a trick of the moon. The thin blade truly had a blue cast to it. Solonund waived the sword around a few times. The sound it made as the air rushed past it was like soft and gentle music. The sword looked fragile, but Drizzt knew it was not.
"This story begins in the slave markets of Calimshan, " Solonund said somberly, "There was a girl and her brother up on the block for sale. Despite goading and whipping but the auctioneer, the girl begged for whomever bought them to return them home. I could not resist. The desperation in that girl's eyes I had seen in my mother's eyes a thousand times. I used almost all my gold to buy the two. Once paid for, I promised them I would get them home. The boy's name was Shun, his sister was Sho. They were from a wandering tribe called the Annui. Sho explained that the Annui rarely traveled very far west for fear the Red Wizards of Thay would enslave their entire tribe.
Sho was a shaman, a holy girl. She explained that her absence could put her tribe in danger. While leaving their camp to tend to a woman in childbirth, they had been captured by a bandit tribe called the Reikki. No matter how hard he fought, he could not prevent the bandits from taking them. They were outnumbered. Sho had comforted Shun, telling him that there are no such things as accidents, telling him that their unavoidable capture was for a reason. Shun said that he refused to believe Sho until he looked into my eyes. It was apparent that Shun had a similar talent to his sister. He told me he had seen my eyes in a dream before their abduction.
Shun was the next in line to lead the Annui. Because of his position as the next leader, he was also responsible for Sho's protection.
I was worried about protecting the two as we made our way east, but not long into the journey, I realized that they might be protecting me. Sho was a master of the bow. She taught me much. Shun on the other hand, had a great talent for the sword. I was amazed because these two humans were so young, and yet much more skilled than I.
I was amazed at the many sights and sounds that the journey East held. They taught me the names of plants and animals. Never before in my life had I felt Meilikki so close with me on my path. I was discovering much about myself. On our journey, Shun showed a genuine interest in the ways of Meilikki. I taught him everything I knew. The despair I had seen on Shun's face disappeared as he felt Mielikki's presence. He told me of the children of the Annui disappearing, never to be seen again. He hoped with the grace of his newfound goddess, he would be able to track the slavers better, so the children who were stolen could be returned to them.
We found the Annui in Thesk. They had been trading their wares and had begun the journey back to KaraTur. The people of the Annui were suspicious of me at first, but when the elders proclaimed that my arrival had been foretold, they accepted me. They did not care about my past, or how I came to them. Sho's husband, Aran, was elated. He had given up hope that his bride would ever return. Shun and Sho's grandfather, the tribe leader, told me that my arrival would mean great rejoicing and great sadness."
Solonund paused for a moment to wipe away his tears and clear his throat. Drizzt knew this story was tearing him apart inside, but he was eager to hear more. Drizzt touched his own face and realized he was also shedding tears. It was as if he felt Solonund's pain.
"Although the Annui traveled constantly, many men of the tribe were master sword smiths. Aran was one of the finest of these. He made this sword for me. They stretch the metal then fold it until it is close to the right size and balance, then it is pounded and sharpened. It makes the blade flexible, strong, and extremely sharp. Sharper than any blade I have found in the west.
I stayed with the Annui for nearly a year. During the last three months of my stay, several of the children started disappearing from the tribe. The Annui were dwindling. Many of its young adults chose to live in towns or cities they camped near on their route. If the children of those who chose to stay among the Annui continued to disappear, there would be no children left. We made a more permanent camp.
Sho tried to divine the places best to search. My tracking skills tuned up no clues. Shun searched with me, hopping to see something I might have missed. Whomever was stealing the children as they slept knew of Shun's and my skills, and were prepared.
Because I was the outsider , suspicion naturally fell to me. I was not allowed to keep watch. Every movement I made was scrutinized. Aran refused to look me in the face. The Annui were convinced that I was the slaver, despite my protests. Shun decided it might be better if we split up and looked in different places. I searched where Sho pointed, and Shun made a perimeter search. Shun was not prepared to find what he did.
Aran and Sho were the slavers. Sho wanted to live in a city, but she wanted to live the life of a rich merchant's wife. Aran wanted to have a permanent forge. Aran wanted his work to be more appreciated and thought that customers that sought him out would give him the fame he desired. Neither of them cared what happened to the 'backwards little tribe,' as long as they were rich enough to buy what they wanted immediately upon leaving the Annui.
Shun was disgusted at what his sister had done and demanded that honor be satisfied."
"Go on," Montolio said as Solonund's voice wavered.
"Sho had planned to sell off her brother, because he was in the way of her plans. She was double crossed. That is why she was in Calimshan with him. The fear in her eyes was that of a criminal afraid to be found out.
As long as I stayed with the Annui, Aran and Sho were hesitant to start selling slaves again, but their greed got the best of them. Aran wanted to know the level of my skills so he could find a way around them. Sho's 'divinations' were only a way to keep Shun and me off the scent.
I was the one they most dishonored, so by the rule of the Annui, I was the one who had to kill them. I publicly decapitated them with this sword. The Annui rejoiced at the fact that their children were safe and the slavers were dead, but I felt no such joy. I packed my things and left a week later." Solonund finished, unable to hold back his tears any longer. He sheathed his sword and fell to the ground.
Drizzt walked over and embraced Solonund," You can not blame yourself for the actions of others. At least you got Shun back to the Annui. What happened to Shun?"
"He is leader of the tribe, a good leader. Respectful of the land and the creatures on it. Shun follows Meilikki well."
"Then Meilikki led you. She wanted you to save Shun, so he could be a good leader." Montolio said, "The lady of the forest has ever guided you. You know this to be true."
Solonund's sobs slowed and he wiped his face," Look at me, crying like a baby. I wanted you to know how much I had grown and I turn into a pudding. "
Solonund pushed Drizzt away gently, " No more sympathy. I have finally gotten the pain out."
**********
Author's Note: I based the Annui on the Romany and the Rabari Tribes of India. Please review.
