and Delly, and your job as a smith. Through the north gate, the road back to your friends and what I believe to be your true home. I suspect that you'll find the south road an easier journey by far than the north, Wulfgar son of Beornegar."
Wulfgar didn't respond, didn't even return the measuring stare Robillard was now casting over him. He knew which road the wizard believed he should take,
"I have always found those who take the easier road, when they know they should be walking the more difficult one, to be cowards," Robillard remarked. "Haven't you?"
"It is not as easy as you make it sound," Wulfgar replied quietly.
"It is likely far more difficult than ever I could imagine," the wizard said. For the first time, Wulfgar detected a bit of sympathy in his voice. "I know nothing of that which you have endured, nothing of the pains that have so weakened your heart. But I know who you were, and know who you now are, and I can say with more than a little confidence that you are better off walking into darkness and dying than trying to hide behind the embers of a smithy's hearth.
"Those are your choices," the wizard finished. "Farewell, wherever you fare!" With that Robillard began waving his arms again, casting another spell.
Wulfgar, distracted and looking to the north, didn't notice until it was too late. He turned to see the multicolored bubbles already filling the air around the vanishing wizard. A sack appeared where the wizard had been standing, along with a large axelike bardiche. It was a rather unwieldy weapon, but one that resembled the great warhammer in design and style of fighting, at least, and one that could deal tremendous damage. He knew without even looking that the sack likely contained supplies for the road.
Wulfgar was alone, as much so as he had ever been, standing in the exact center of Luskan, and he remembered then that he was not supposed to be in this place. He was an outlaw in Luskan, or had been. He could only hope that the magistrates and the guards did not have so long a memory.
But which way to go, the barbarian wondered. He turned several circles. It was all too confusing, all too frightening, and Robillard's dire words haunted him with every turn.
Wulfgar of Icewind Dale exited Luskan's northern gate soon after, trudging off alone into the cold wilderness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was under the glare of one surprised and horrified expression after another that the friends made their way through the small village of Auckney and into the castle of Lord Feringal and Lady Meralda. Donbago, well enough to walk easily by that time, guided them in and warded away any who grabbed at weapons at the sight of the half-ogre, to say nothing of the dark elf.
Donbago talked them through a mob of soldiers led by a growling gnome guard at the door. The gnome put the others into efficient motion, helping Donbago scurry poor delirious Jeddith off to the healer and dragging the half-ogre down into the dungeons, beating the brute with every step.
The fierce gnome, Liam Woodgate, then led the five to an inner room and introduced them to an old, hawkish-looking man named Temigast.
"Drizzt Do'Urden," Temigast echoed, nodding with recognition as he spoke the name. "The ranger of Ten-Towns, I have heard. And you, good dwarf, are you not the King of Mithral Hall?"
"Was once and will be again, if me friends here don't get me killed to death," Bruenor replied.
"Might we meet with yer lord and lady?" Catti-brie asked. While Regis and Bruenor looked at her curiously, Drizzt, who also wanted to get a glimpse of this woman who had mothered the child Wulfgar was now raising as his own, smiled.
"Liam will show you to a place where you can properly clean and dress for your audience," Steward Temigast explained. "When you are ready, the audience with the Lord and Lady of Auckney will be arranged."
While Bruenor barely splashed some of the water over him, grumbling that he looked good enough for anyone, Drizzt and Regis thoroughly washed. In another room, Catti-brie not only took a most welcomed soapy bath, but then spent a long while trying on many of the gorgeous gowns that Lady Meralda had sent down to her.
Soon after, the four were in the grand audience hall of Castle Auck, standing before Lord Feringal, a man