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rushing back into the small chamber. The gnome leader turned a wary eye on Drizzt to see if the drow
had caught th~ men-tion of his name.
Drizzt wisely kept his head turned away, pretending not to listen. He had indeed heard the name of the
gnome leader who had shown him mercy. Belwar, the other svirfneblin had said. Belwar, a name that
Drizzt would never forget. Fighting from down the passageway caught everyone s at-tention, then, and
several svirfnebli scrambled back into the chamber. Drizzt knew from their excitement that the drow
patrol was close behind.
Belwar started barking out commands, mostly organizing the retreat down the chamber s other tunnel.
Drizzt won. dered where he would fit into the gnome s thinking. Cer. tainly Belwar couldn t hope to
outrun the drow patrol dragging along a prisoner.
Then the gnome leader suddenly stopped talking and stopped moving. Tho suddenly.
The drow clerics had led the way in with their insidious, paralyzing spells. Belwar and another gnome
were held fast by thedweomer, and the rest of the gnomes, realizing this, broke into a wild scramble for
the rear exit.
The drow warriors, Guenhwyvar leading the way, charged into the room. Any relief Drizzt might have
felt at seeing his feline friend unharmed was buried under the en. suing slaughter. Dinin and his troops cut
into the disorgan-ized gnomes with typical drow savagery.
 In seconds-horrible seconds that seemed like hours to Drizzt-only Belwar and the other gnome caught in
the clerical spell remained alive in the chamber. Several of the svirfnebli had managed to flee down the
back corridor, but most of the drow patrol was off in pursuit.
Masoj came into the chamber last, looking thorougWy wretched in his mud.covered clothing. He
remained at the tunnel exit and did not even look Drizzt s way, except to note that his panther was
standing protectively beside the secondboy of House Do Urden.
 Again you have found your measure of luck, and more Dinin said to Drizzt as he cut his brother s
bonds. Looking around at the carnage in the chamber, Drizzt wasn t so sure.
Dinin handed him back his scimitars, then turned to the drow standing watch over the two paralyzed
gnomes.  Fin-ish them Dinin instructed.
A wide smile spread over the other drow s face, and he pulled a jagged knife from his belt. He held it up
in front of a gnome s face, teasing the helpless creature.  Can they see it? he asked the high priestess.
 That is the fun of the spell the high priestess replied.
 The svirfneblin understands what is about to happen. Even
now he is struggling to break out of the hold
 Prisoners! Drizzt blurted.
Dillin and the others turned to him, the draw with the dagger wearing a scowl both angry and
disappointed.
 For House Do Urden? Drizzt asked Dinin hopefully.  We
could benefit fram-
 Svirfnebli do not make good slaves Dinin replied.
 No; agreed the high priestess, moving beside the dagger-wielding fighter. She nodded to the warrior
and his smile re-turned tenfold. He struck hard. Only Belwar remained.
The warrior waved his blood-stained dagger ominously and moved in front of the gnome leader.
 Not that one! Drizzt protested, unable to bear anymore.
 Let him live! Drizzt wanted to say that Belwar could do them no harm, and that killing the defenseless
gnome would be a cowardly and vile act. Drizzt knew that appeal-ing to his kin for mercy would be a
waste of time.
Dinin s expression was more a look of anger than curios-ity this time.
 If you kill him, then no gnomes will remain to return to their city and tell of our strength; Drizzt reasoned,
grasp-ing at the one slim hope he could find.  We should send him back to his people, send him back to
tell them of their folly in entering the domain of the draw!
 Dinin looked back to the high priestess for advice.
 It seems proper reasoning; she said with a nod.
Dinin was not so certain of his brother s motives. Not tak-
ing his eyes off Drizzt, he said to the warrior,  Then cut off
the gnome s hands
Drizzt didn t flinch, realizing that if he did, Dinin would surely slaughter Belwar.
The warrior replaced the dagger on his belt and took out his heavy sword.
 Wait; said Dinin, still eyeing Drizzt.  Release him from
the spell first; I want to hear his screams
Several drow moved over to put the tips of their swords at Belwar s neck as the high priestess released
her magical hold. Belwar made no moves.
The appointed drow warrior grasped his sword in both hands, and Belwar, brave Belwar, held his arms
straight out and motionless in front of him.
Drizzt averted his gaze, unable to watch and awaiting, fearing, the gnome s cry.
Belwar noted Drizzt s reaction. Was it compassion?
The drow warrior then swung his sword. Belwar never took his stare off Drizzt as the sword cut across
his wrists, lighting a million fires of agony in his arms.
Neither did Belwar scream. He wouldn t give Dinin the satisfaction. The gnome leader looked back to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]