Disclaimer: I do not own these books or the original plot of Drizzt Do'Urden, but I LOVE the books.

Chapter 1

Drizzt

Drizzt jolted awake, clamping his mouth shut so as not to make any noise to alert his Wean Mother, Vierna; who was sleeping in just the other room. He had to bring a hand up to muffle any cries that might escape. His blue eyes were watering, the pain was so great. He waited until it faded to a more bearable level, only then did he slowly lower his hand, taking a deep calming breath.

He had the dream again. He sat still listening, making sure he didn't wake Vierna up. From past experience he knew it was not a good idea to wake her for something as trivial as a nightmare.

When silence was all that came to his ears, only then did he relax. The 16 year old had been going through this pattern for quite some time. It had been happening for the past few years now, he would wake up from great pain, only to silence himself so as not to wake anyone up. If he did, a whipping was in order.

Drizzt sighed. He never remembered the dreams, and in fear of punishment, he did not wish to ask anyone.

The young drow was now wide awake, and knew better than to get out of his bed. He lied back down and tried to get himself to relax so as to go back to sleep, but it was no use. He was nervous. He was now old enough to become a prince of the House Do'Urden. Tomorrow was the time of his ceremony and he did not wish to mess it up, but he was also excited. He would actually be able to look at people's faces, instead of their feet. He wondered if there were any nice people, like that Weapons Master he ran into once, or tolerable like Vierna, hopefully none were like Briza.

With these thoughts the young drow tossed and turned all night, full of excitement and anxiety.

When Vierna came to get him, he was already up and ready to go, with an appearance of alertness, though he certainly didn't feel it. He must have done a good job acting, for Vierna gave him one cursory glance then nodded her head in acceptance, before turning to leave; the malew following after her. As soon as he left his room, Drizzt's eyes automatically went to the floor. Staying on Vierna's feet so as not to separate from her and get punished for being lost. Drizzt notices that she was wearing a new pair of boots. The only thing that he can focus on and gain details from were feet, and a little bit of the leg. Even though Drizzt was in his mid teens, he had become quite good at gaining information from just the feet alone. Drizzt knew that he was Vierna's main priority, but not by her choice, so where did she go when she wasn't with him? She was with him almost daily, where did she even find the time? 'She must have been doing other things while I was sleeping.' He thought, for walking around the house was not enough to damage her old boots.

He grew curious at this and opened his mouth to ask, but instantly shut it with a click, before he could make that mistake. Vierna paused at the noise, glanced back, but continued on when he kept looking down. As soon as she turned away, Drizzt chanced looking up at his wean-mother. She was not like his other siblings, who either ignored him or wished to punish him, she was... different somehow. He quickly looked back down, before being caught by servants or other passing drow. He felt like she could be what he wanted (something every child wanted), but he just didn't know what it was or how to phrase it.

So how could he ask, if he didn't know how? Drizzt gave a mental sigh, mindful of making noises now that Vierna was paying attention.

Vierna's feet stopped in front of him. The dark elf quickly stopped as well, they must be at the throne room. He heard knocking, before the door was opened letting them in. Drizzt was led up to the throne where he knew his Matron sat. His eyes still downcast he could hear the ritual start. Vierna stood behind him, and started to remove his robe. He knew this would happen so he did not panic or fight, he just kept his arms limp so as not to hinder his sister.

As Vierna stepped back, he was now only in his pants. He could hear more of the ritual going on, he wasn't actually interested in what his Matron said, something about the honor of the house and how he was now becoming part of a great power, and in order to keep it strong he would have to do his part. Drizzt, still a teen, did not hear anything interesting in it and just made sure he played his part the way Vierna had taught him.

Matron Malice stopped speaking and bid him forward. He walked up the few steps that led to the throne, before he felt a finger lift his chin up. Startled, he looked at his Mother for the first time. She smiled at him before continuing the ritual.

Drizzt drowned out her voice as he studied her. She was pretty, but he didn't like the look in her eyes, they were too cold to him and her smile was just as frigid. He was feeling uncomfortable from being able to look at a face. He kept tensing for the whip that was surely going to come. His mother's smile seemed to almost promise it to him, in his eyes. He quickly looked back down, not wishing to see that look anymore. This greatly displeased his mother, for his chin was grabbed harshly, his head jerked back up. Drizzt eyes could now see a look of anger which in his silent opinion looked more natural on her face than that smile ever was.

Matron leaned into Drizzt's face before whispering, "Do not disobey my orders during this ritual or I will personally put needles into your pretty blue eyes."

Drizzt gulped, fully believing that she would do so with pleasure. He nodded his head and stood looking her right in the eye, barely blinking. His mother nodded her head in satisfaction, before finishing her last few sentences. Malice stood up and lead him to a giant metal spider that was on the wall to the left of her throne. Malice explained that this was a recent development by their Spider Queen. Every child that was to be initiated into a house would have to go through this ritual as well. Malice placed Drizzt before the spider. Malice told him to look it in the eyes and to not move until she told him to.

Remembering her threat Drizzt stood rigid, He took in details as he looked into the rubies that were its eyes. The spider was placed as if it were crawling towards the floor, it's body above him with its head level with his. He stared into the rubies and couldn't help but feel like the spider was looking right back.

Lolth

Unbeknownst to Drizzt he was being looked at. His features were being reflected into a mirror. Lolth was currently sitting in her throne (a live spider three times her size). Its back legs were on the floor while its front legs supported both of their weight on the wall. She sat on its back and used the head as support to her own back. She was studying this new youth that was to join her followers' ranks.

When she had gotten up from that bed the day Libran was bitten, she decided that she had to know which of the children was her mate. So she had called the matrons together and had made a metal spider for each house, blessing the eyes so that she could see into the mortal world with the oval mirror now in front of her. She was waiting for a child with lavender eyes, but so far none had come forth. This youth however was the first one with blue eyes to come before her. He was not the only one with strange eyes, but she couldn't help but pause to study him.

The spider she sat on clicked a little at the image, causing her to stroke it tenderly. She smiled at it, before glancing back up at the nervous child, "You find this one strange too? Maybe we should keep an eye on this one." More clicking was heard as an answer. Lolth laughed at the spider beneath her, "Yes I'm sure he would make quite the snack, but you know you cannot eat any drow unless they have displeased me." The spider almost seemed to wilt in dejection over the lost meal, but perked back up at its Master's next words, "I do not require you as of this time, why don't you go feast on some of my prisoners." As soon as Lolth stood up, the giant spider skittered off. Lolth laughed as she watched one of her children go, before turning back to the mirror, and nodded her head.

Drizzt

At the same time Lolth had nodded, the ruby eyes glowed for a brief period and then dulled. When this happened Drizzt tensed up even more, expecting something unpleasant to happen only to hear, "We have a new prince among us!" Drizzt smiled at this, he was led back to his mother's throne, to receive his new attire. It was at this time, that the doors opened to reveal the Weapons Master of the house, Zaknefain. Drizzt looked up in excitement, he would finally get to see the face of the drow who was kind to him on the one occurrence that they had met, but his excitement overwhelmed him and against his better judgment, he burst out talking.

'That could have gone better,' Drizzt thought, but he did avoid punishment for speaking out of turn, and he was now being trained under Zaknafein. He apparently had talent for weaponry and Zaknafein convinced his mother to change his profession from Wizardry. He smiled with glee looking around at the weapons that surrounded him. He was currently in the gym that was Zak's domain. He was told to test out the weapons and was left alone, he had never been left alone before unless he was in his room (which only held a bed so he couldn't do much in there).

Now he was given free reign over these weapons that surrounded him. There were so many. He didn't even know what half of them were. Drizzt instantly went to investigate them all, a look of glee stuck on his dark face.

After some time he decided he liked wielding two scimitars. The way the curved blades flowed about him as if they were a part of him, pleased the juvenile very much. However there was one thing that kept bugging him, he kept looking into the corner at the daggers. He put the scimitars into his belt and walked over to the daggers. He had a little bit of difficulty at first, the scimitars kept tripping him up, causing him to stumble. Once he figured out how to walk without them getting in the way, he made much better progress.

As Drizzt looked at the daggers, he noticed one that seemed to stand out from the rest. This one had a red blade with a black handle. A dark garnet placed in the pommel seemed to wink at him in the firelight as he gazed at it. His hand reached for it slowly almost as if he were in a trance.

Zaknafein

Zaknafein had been watching Drizzt during his investigation of the weapons, he had turned away to do some work while he listened to the laughter of his son, for he knew it was his son. There was no way such an innocent drow came from Rizzen. Drizzt was not aware of who his father was, but that was because Zaknafein wanted to keep it as such.

Malice had a suspicion, but was not sure, seeing as she had both of them that particular night, nine months before Drizzt's birth, wanting to insure her success at a pregnancy.

Zaknafein knew as soon as he had seen that innocent look in Drizzt's eyes, he was not like other drow. Drizzt was like him. Zaknafein smiled, he wasn't alone anymore. As he worked he could hear sounds of tripping and complaints. He smiled, 'It looks like Drizzt is discovering that you can't just "walk" when you have a blade at your hip.' He turned back to his work remembering when he was in Drizzt's shoes. After a while Zak no longer heard noises of any kind. Figuring Drizzt was done selecting, he entered the gym only to find the teen reaching for a particular red and black dagger that even he did not dare touch.

With a shout of alarm he sprinted towards Drizzt to prevent him from touching that dagger, but it was too late. For at his cry Drizzt turned towards him, the dagger in his hand already. Zaknafein slowed down waiting for the inevitable, his eyes full of sorrow, but, as he stopped completely, nothing was happening. Drizzt looked at him with alarm and curiosity (and a hint of nervousness that he might be punished) in his eyes.

Zaknafein stared in disbelief, "How are you able to touch that dagger?"

The young drow just stared, not understanding the question at all. Zaknafein advanced on him, "Why did you pick up this dagger? How did you find this dagger!? I put this away so no one could touch it!" Drizzt had backed away the entire time Zak shouted at him, confusion and fear apparent on his young face, until he gradually got backed into a wall.

The teen, not wanting to be punished, glanced around frantically for an escape. With nowhere else to go, the youth faced the weapons master, unconsciously brandished the dagger at Zaknafein.

Zak paled at this, and quickly backed up, "Do not direct that at me! Drop it this instant!"

"Why?" Drizzt finally got out, "What have I done? I have done nothing wrong, I found this with your other weapons and that is all! You gave me free reign of this room! Why do I need to relinquish what I find just because you don't want me to have it?!" His voice growing in volume from his fear and lack of understanding.

Zak still panicking from the dagger facing him only replied with, "It is dangerous!"

Feeling this wasn't an adequate answer at all Drizzt cried out, "So is every other weapon in this room!" He wanted answers and he wasn't getting them. After some thought, he realized that he didn't care if he was punished or not for this. Drizzt looked at the dagger in his hands, before looking back up at his new mentor, with a determined look he deliberately pointed the blade at Zaknafein, "Why is this dangerous?"

Zaknafein seeing it come nearer said, "Stop! I will answer your questions, but please just stop and put it down before it is too late!" The teen, hearing that he will get answers, simply put it in his belt with his scimitars and folded his arms waiting.

Zaknafein instantly calmed down as soon as the dagger was no longer touching Drizzt's skin. The drow sighed before coming closer, making good on his word. Drizzt let him get closer, not expecting what happened next.

Quicker than Drizzt could react, Zak put a glove on his hand and snatched the dagger out of Drizzt's belt. The child was outraged at this, and tried to get the weapon back. Zak quickly hit him in the middle of the shoulder (1) and then repeated with the other arm. Drizzt was shocked to see both of his arms hang uselessly by his sides.

Drizzt glared at Zak, "What did you do?" The youth started to twist and kick at the other.

For Zak, it was a simple matter, of tripping the younger drow and the pinning his legs down.

Drizzt glared up at his mentor. He wanted answers!

Zaknafein, now feeling like the situation was under control, sighed with relief. He sat down on Drizzt's legs so that he could see the male's face.

He stared down at Drizzt's expression – wary of the blade in his hand as he did so, "I know you are not happy with me at this moment, but I needed to get this dagger out of your hands as soon as possible. This weapon is dangerous, for a reason. It has a history that is more myth than fact, but it is the best I can figure out seeing as it's last owner went mad from just touching it." Drizzt, having calmed down a little at the explanation, frowned at this.

Seeing this reaction Zaknafein continued, "Every single drow I have seen touch this, has gone mad and will either start killing everyone around them or kill themselves with it." Drizzt paled at this, so that was why his mentor wanted him to drop it.

Satisfied with Drizzt's reaction at his near brush with insanity, Zaknafein continued, "I have kept it locked way and have done research on it, the most I can figure is that it once belonged to the followers of a lost God. Its name is Furor, and it is one half of a pair. It's twin is a blue dagger with a white handle called Pacis, that does the opposite of this one. You are the first person that I've witnessed to not be affected by Furor."

Zaknafein gazed at Furor, "I myself do not know, nor wish to test, if I could withstand it. I have made it my mission to not let this fall into anyone's hands."

'And I failed with my own son.' He thought sadly. He turned to look at Drizzt before giving an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid you won't get the use of your arms back until a few hours at least. Until then let us see how well you can dodge." Zaknafein stood up, and pulled Drizzt up with him. He could see Drizzt gazing at the dagger as the youth straightened up, but as Zak watched a glazed look seemed to come over Drizzt's eyes before he started to lean towards the dagger.

Zak's eyes widened and he quickly jumped out of reach. Drizzt seemed to come to himself, before looking up at his mentor, "Let me have the dagger."

Drizzt

Drizzt watched Zak become shocked at his words not understanding why Drizzt would want it. Drizzt couldn't understand it either, but he had to have that dagger, "I am not effected by it. You, yourself, do not wish to touch it, I can better guard it for I will not go mad."

Zak looked at him with a 'do you think I'm stupid' look. Drizzt figured he wouldn't be able to convince him that easily, so he tried again from a different approach, "If I promise not to use it for anything, to never let anyone see it or touch it, will you let me have it?"

Zaknafein – mindful of Furor – crossed his arms, "And how exactly do you plan on guarding it from someone who is superior to you? If they knew about the dagger and how they can kill anyone with it by just having the person touch it, and pick it up in the aftermath, they would stop at nothing to obtain it. Furor is not well known, those who recognize it will know of its ability. Think about it Drizzt. You will be in constant danger if you are its owner."

His mentor was probably saying that to deter him, but now he was more determined, "Well then, I guess you better train me to be the best." Zaknafein looked shock, but then burst out in laughter at this response. Zaknafein had to hand it to Drizzt, "You've got guts kids. Very well, I will give you a chance, you are correct in saying that it does not harm you, you must have been holding it for a least 5 minutes and nothing happened, I do not see why you can't have it, as long you up hold that promise, that no one is to see it, touch it, or learn of it. Are we clear?"

Drizzt, containing his joy at receiving Furor, nodded. Zaknafein nodded, "Good, then until you can prove you can protect it, I will hold on to it for you." And with that Zaknafein turned and went to lock Furor away.

Drizzt stood there, his jaw dropped, before mentally kicking himself. Of course Zak wouldn't just give it to him. He was a 16-year-old untrained child. Drizzt had to prove that he could handle the responsibility. Well he would show Zak that he would be the best, even better than his mentor, and he would start now.

With a fierce look, Drizzt walked after his mentor to begin his training, he scowled at his limp arms as he went. Maybe he could learn what Zaknafein had done to him while he was at it.

A/N:

To all of my previous readers, what do you think so far?

1: I'm not sure if that is the exact area, but I would definitely not recommend any of you trying it. You can seriously hurt someone if you do something like that without any training. How do I know this? I looked it up and someone had an answer posted up.