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And behind the zo down the distracted undead as they chased the dark elf

But the drow had to skid to a stop, surprised, when out of the thicket to the side charged another enemy, another zombie The newcomer was not one of the humans, elves, or dwarves shriveled in the hot flow of the volcano, though, but a gigantic and fored Drizzt and in undeath, feeling no pain, knowing no fear, and all but immune to minor wounds, was all the ht and outweighed hi fro in claws that could rend stone as easily as ain soft dirt Drizzt had battled u up in the Underdark, but in addition to the ashen gray look of those creatures killed by the hot volcanic flow, the hulk had about it a darker pall, a shadowy essence as though it had stepped out of the depths of the Shadowfell

Drizzt ed to avert his eyes just in tiaze, known to debilitate the finest warriors He didn’t wait to look back beforecorrectly that any delay would cost hiht at thereach of its powerful claws The shadow hulk tried to stoot out of the way in tiood ht behind the thing, keeping it turning, and landed several heavy slashes in the process

But felling thedown a thick oak, and an oak that savagely fought back

"Keep it , elf!" he heard Bruenor yell froons

"Indeed," the drohispered in reply, having no intention of facing up squarely against that beast

He got in one last slash and darted away, drawing forth an onyx figurine as soon as he put some space between himself and the shadow hulk

"Come to me, Guenhwyvar," Drizzt called softly He hadn’t wanted to suht before and needed her rest in her Astral ho and ran beyond it, the shadow hulk in swift pursuit

"Keep hi, elf!" he heard Bruenor cry frolanced that way to watch the dwarf rush out to the side of the wagons toward a large boulder flanked by a few birch trees With a knowing nod, Drizzt spun, surprising the shadow hulk just enough so that he could again rush inside the deadly sweep of its clawing hands He snapped off several stabs and left with a heavy slash--or feigned leaving Again he spun, just outside the creature’s turn He went past again with another flurry of stabs and slashes He’d just started to run onceGuenhwyvar slaainst the shadow hulk’s back Drizzt darted off to the side as the ht of six hundred pounds of muscled panther

"The little ones, Guen!" Drizzt yelled in alar that many ash zombies still surrounded Andahar and more moved to press the caravan crew

With a puff of sain came in at the shadow hulk The creature foolishly turned as if to follow Guenhwyvar, allowing the ranger several heavy strikes

Then Drizzt was running again, the shadow hulk in close pursuit He glanced in the direction of the caravan, nodding in satisfaction to see that Guenhwyvar was already rounding up the zo them with her powerful claws

Drizzt kept just ahead of the shadow hulk--dangerously close He wanted the creature’s focus on hiht in front of the boulder where Bruenor had disappeared He rushed out only a few strides from the stone then spun back to squarely face the h, too powerfully for Drizzt to even dare atteainst the ground, the ashes in earth and stone alike

Drizzt stabbed and dodged, whirled to one side then the other, striking where he could find an opening, but fighting defensively, just trying to keep the shadow hulk engaged and distracted

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Bruenor again, running to the top of the boulder and beyond, descending froh over his head and held in both hands The dwarf’s whole body seeiant wolf, histo his runt ca far more surprised, even curious, than pained The creature took a step toward Drizzt, its expression so the reality of its sudden end

Drizzt stared at that curious expression for many heartbeats--soburied by the falling monster

Despite the many undead still left to be dealt with, Drizzt couldn’t suppress a smile as he watched Bruenor ride the shadow hulk the last couple of feet to the ground His shield hand still gripping his axe, his free hand up behind hi a wild horse

"Elf, I’ his axe free "Always see!"

"So, as you did with the yeti, will you try to cook this one’s brains?" Drizzt asked, spinning away and heading for the nearest monster

"Bah!" the dwarf snorted "Tastin’ like dust or I’nome!"

For all the years and all the battles, for all the loss and all the strange roads, there was nothing Bruenor ht have said to better comfort Drizzt just then, and to better launch hiht, and the one after that

With Andahar and Guenhwyvar, and some small assistance from the caravanners, the attack was beaten back in short order, leaving only uards, and no real daons or horse tea flank

By dawn, the road had turned directly west and they broke out of the woodland and onto an open plain The sea flanked theht, most of the crew settled in for soical on, Bruenor beside him They would make Neverwinter by noon, so the boss inforh so many eary, they wouldn’t stop the caravan

"A fine, well-paying journey," Drizzt re as much to keep himself alert as for any desire for conversation

"Not that ye’re caring," a sleepy Bruenor replied

Drizzt cocked an eyebrow the dwarf’s way

"Bah, but ye only did this for the fightin’!" Bruenor accused