Chapter 6: To the East

Within the week, the two were headed east. Solonund gave Drizzt his heavy brown cloak. It was not really suited to the weather, but it would keep Drizzt's appearance masked well enough in case they were encountered by others. Whenever they would near a town, Solonund would offer to spirit tattoo Drizzt so he appeared to be a surface elf. Drizzt only accepted once. When he saw the toll and strain it put Solonund under, Drizzt never accepted again.

Solonund really was becoming a heartfelt brother to Drizzt. Drizzt could not let Solonund make himself ill on his behalf. It was then Drizzt decided the people of the surface would have to accept him as he was. He would deceive no good person again, ever.

Solonund did not seem to mind going and getting supplies in the towns they passed. The more time he spent in campsites with Drizzt, the more he realized how much better he liked being out in the open. He never realized how much he loved staying out in the open forest. As the terrain started to change, he taught Drizzt about the plant and animal life.

The farther east they traveled, the fewer settlements they ran into.

"It is good to be a ranger," Solonund thought to himself as they walked along the uninhabited areas, "and better to be traveling with another ranger."

Once they got past the Silver Marches and the high forest, Solonund gave Drizzt the choice.

"We can take the long way, or the short way," Solonund said plainly, "Generally, the long way is safer, but it is more populated. More importantly, Drow from Maerimidra, Sshamath, and other smaller cities in the Underdark pop out of the ground regularly along the long route. That means we will run into a large number who have a seething hate for Drow. The short way is across the Anauroch desert on the black road. It is hotter than the nine hells during the day and freezing cold at night. We will have to get at least one pack animal just to carry water. That is not the worst of it. The Zhentarim control the road. They charge enormous prices for water and for tribute in order to camp near their oasis. Most Zhentarim soldiers also double as thieves for the right price and would think nothing of killing us while we rested. On the other hand, they do not care one way or another for Drow. With City of Shade and its shade wizards nearby, the Zhents see Drow savagery as small coppers."

"That is not much of a choice."

"True."

"Which way would be faster?"

"It is hard to tell. With just the two of us and Guenhwyvar, the short route might take us longer because we would have bandits constantly dogging our way. On the other hand, on the long route through Cormyr many of the forests are overrun by orcs. The safer routes are property of the Cormyrian royal family. If we are caught by the Purple Knights, they will attack first and ask questions later. They will be like that because we are not humans. If we go that way, I suggest keeping your hood up."

"I wonder why I agreed to come with you , Solonund."

"Because it made perfect sense. I never promised it would be easy to get to Thesk."

"Thanks for leaving out that detail."

"So Drizzt, which way shall we go? through the desert, or around it?"

"Around. It is easier to hide among the trees. And you well know we can easily handle any orcs we come across."

"Alright, south we go," Solonund said.

**********

Surprisingly, they met with little trouble on their way through Cormyr. As they came to the point on their journey where they would turn north again, they came upon a caravan heading for Suzail. At first, the merchants were wary of Drizzt. When a group of orcs jumped them near the north side of the King's forest, they began to tolerate Drizzt's presence.

Trouble for the pair didn't start until they were north of Cormyr, deep within Cormanthor Forest.

The attack came from an enemy neither of them expected to find, a group of Drow scouts who were living on the surface. Worshippers of Vhaeraun.

The enemy only saw Solonund when they attacked. Drizzt quickly whipped off his cape and pulled his scimitars. When Drizzt warned the Vhaerunites to leave Solonund alone. The small group turned to Drizzt and asked him why he was protecting a faerie elf, abet that, a male faerie elf.

"That is my brother you hold your sword to. I will kill any of you who lay a hand on him."

"Your brother?" one of them said as they looked at Solonund, " Well his skin is a little darker than most faerie elves we have seen here lately. Tell me faerie elf, are you a half-breed."

"Yes," Solonund replied and said nothing more. These thieves did not need to know that neither half of him was Drow.

"Will you let us pass then?" Drizzt said.

That is when they spotted the wooden unicorn pendants both rangers were wearing.

"So, followers of Meilikki on their way to Myth Drannor? We will feed your dead bodies to the monsters there."

Drizzt and Solonund went immediately into action. This was one of the worst fights that Solonund was ever involved in. These were seasoned Drow warriors, not clumsy orcs.

Drizzt was doing most of the work. His scimitars were whirling between the dozen Vhaerunites, hoping that none would find an opening. While trying to parry two separate attacks, the scimitar of lower quality snapped. The blade went flying into the trees.

Solonund ducked as the blade flew past him. Solonund knew Drizzt was in trouble but he was in no way matched evenly with these Drow.

Solonund may be the famed master of the bow, but in close combat, he was quickly realizing how useless he really was. He promised himself that if he survived this, he would work more on his swordsmanship.

Drizzt threw down the pommel of the broken blade and called Guenhwyvar. Even with the panther's help, they were still outnumbered.

Drizzt was growing upset with Solonund. Drizzt knew by the way Solonund was fighting that he was loosing his confidence. Drizzt knew that if Solonund let his guard slip, it could get them both killed. Drizzt also knew Solonund could fight better than that.

All Drizzt could do was growl and hope that outward show of confidence would inspire Solonund to work harder. When his growls weren't working, Drizzt was at a loss. What would make Solonund fight like Drizzt knew he could?

"Solonund, you orc face, what's the matter? These girls too much for you?" Drizzt said as he started laughing maniacally.

That worked.

Solonund got upset, but more importantly, Solonund quit thinking about his problems and released the savagery within himself.

In the blink of an eye, Solonund used his katana in the manner it was meant to be used.

Drizzt was shocked at how quickly and cleanly it lopped one of the Drow scouts in half. At that moment, Drizzt knew why Solonund had reservations using that sword. That sword was made not for wounding or fighting, it was made to bring instant death.

Solonund ducked under the swing of his opponents sword. With amazing agility, he came up behind the swing and decapitated his opponent. When Solonund got into a fighting frenzy, it did not look like a fight. It was a bloody dance of death. If it were not for the gore, it would have been beautiful.

Help came, if it could be called help.

A group of humans and Moon Elves jumped into the fray.

One of them caught Drizzt off guard. He hit Drizzt on the left temple and Drizzt fell to the ground.

As the Moon Elf prepared to strike his final blow, Solonund fell across the top of Drizzt.

"No! Stop! This is my brother! I won't let you kill my brother!"

"Solonund! What has gotten in to you? That is a Drow."

"This is no ordinary Drow! This is Drizzt! This is my brother!"

"Fine," the moon elf said as he clubbed Solonund with he pommel of his sword," we will take him with us. You will come to your senses back at the lodge. You there. Pick these two up. Put the Drow in a holding cell, put Solonund Brasher in his room. Make sure Solonund's room is locked."

**********