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"And even Jarlaxle, with resources beyond any we could iine, found no trail at all," Drizzt reminded him "We know not the truth or fancy of this forest called Iruladoon, my friend, and could not have found it in tih tars that would have grown to engulf the whole of the Silver Marches had wise King Bruenor not been there to end theratitude We have seen the world beyond that land we once called home, and it’s a dark place indeed"

Bruenor considered the words for a few heartbeats then nodded "Bah!" he snorted, just because "And I’rym afore me old bones surrender to the years" He indicated some , elf One o’ the to be on the road?" Thibbledorf Pwent asked, and there was souard

"It has to be soon, very soon," the drow replied, studying Pwent through every word

Always before, the battlerager had shown eagerness, a fanatical need, even, toBruenor On many occasions, particularly their infrequent visits to Luskan, Bruenor had looked for ways to avoid taking Pwent along The dirty das always a sight, of course, and always drew attention, and in the pirate-run City of Sails, such notice was not always a welco else in Pwent’s eye, in his posture, and in the timbre of his voice when he asked the question

"We’ll be going right this day, then," said Bruenor and he began rolling a parchment to stuff it back into his oversized pack

Drizzt nodded and er

"What do ye know?" Bruenor finally asked Pwent, noticing that the dwarf didn’t…" Pwent replied, voice full of regret

"I telled ye not to call me--"Bruenor started to scold him, but Drizzt put his hand on Bruenor’s shoulder

The drow locked stares with Pwent for a long while, then silently nodded his understanding "He’s not co?" Bruenor looked at Drizzt with puzzleaze to Pwent

"Ah, ain "I’hed, his face long, like a dog that couldn’t head out on the hunt

Thibbledorf Pasn’t as old as ancient Bruenor Battlehahts, had not been kind to the battlerager The journey to Icewind Dale had taken a lot out of hih of course Pwent had never co excluded froht or an adventure, or told to take a bath

Bruenor turned his stunned expression back to Drizzt, but the drow just nodded his agreement, for both knew that Thibbledorf Pould never have made such a claim unless he knew in his old heart that he simply couldn’t make the journey, that he had reached the end of his adventuring days

"Bah, but ye’re just a child!" Bruenor said, e his ive me," Pwent said

Bruenor considered hireat hug "Ye been the best guard, the best friend an old dwarf could e’er know," Bruenor said "Ye been withthat ye’re needin’ ! For all yer life--"

"No!" Pwent interrupted "No! It’s beenIt’s beenfor that one great fight, that last fight To die for…"

"Better in me own heart that ye live for me, ye dolt," said Bruenor

"So you mean to live out your days here in the dale?" Drizzt asked "With Stokely and his clan?"

"Aye, if they’ll have me"

"But they’d be fools not to, and Stokely ain’t no fool," Bruenor assured hio tomorrow, not today"