Exile - Chapter 11
Aug. 29th, 2022 11:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kalinara posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
i_read_whatSo last time, Belwar got his groove back, while Drizzt got a job! Sort of! Good for him!
So our chapter starts with someone new: a Councilor named Firble is having a clandestine meeting with a drow. As this drow is described as making a "swaggering entrance", we can already guess who he might be. And indeed, it is Jarlaxle.
Ah, that makes sense! When the svirnebli mentioned a drow visitor in Homeland, I genuinely couldn't figure out who that might be. Zak was clearly stuck in the city. Dinin is too low ranking and may or may not have the self-control to not murder them all. I'd even guessed Gromph Baenre as an option (Gromph's pretty evil, but he can usually be trusted to be involved in more complicated schemes beyond murder.) Jarlaxle is the obvious choice though. I'd just forgotten that he was introduced so early in the series.
Anyway, Jarlaxle is reasonably friendly. He's also very good at the Svirneblin language, with "the perfect inflections and pauses of a deep gnome who had lived a century in Blingdenstone." Interesting. I wonder if that's natural ability or a cool magic toy. With Jarlaxle, it could really be either.
So anyway, apparently Firble called the meeting. He wants to know about drow activity in the area. Jarlaxle pretends surprise, but no one's fooled. Firble's got the payment: fifty finely cut agates. Nice.
Jarlaxle explains, and he does seem to be telling the truth. I remember Jarlaxle in other books, so I'm not as surprised now as I undoubtedly was the first time I read this. He reassures the "little deep gnome" (punch him in the dick, Firble!) that the powers that be in Menzoberranzan aren't interested in attacking the city. There's just one drow house with an interest in the region.
Two more agates gives Firble a reason why: the House is searching for a lost member. Firble, not being an idiot, puts it together. Still, he wants proof, and with twenty more agates (originally ten, but Jarlaxle provides the ancestral name: Daermon N'a'shezbaernon instead), gets the confirmation: they're looking for a drow named Drizzt. Jarlaxle then suggests that information about Drizzt's whereabouts could be greatly rewarded.
Firble, again, is not an idiot.
“Our business is at its end,” Firble announced, deciding to trust that Jarlaxle had not guessed enough to bargain with House Do’Urden. The councilor turned on his heel and started out of the chamber.
Jarlaxle secretly applauded Firble’s decision. He had always believed the svirfneblin councilor a worthy bargaining adversary and was not now disappointed. Firble had revealed little information, too little to take to Matron Malice, and if the deep gnome had more to give, his decision to abruptly end the meeting was a wise one. In spite of their racial differences, Jarlaxle had to admit that he actually liked Firble.
Because of course Firble DOES know more. And he's very worried about giving everything away. Hence the leaving quickly, rather than giving in to the temptation to try to correct or cover for whatever impression he already gave. Like Jarlaxle, I am approving. I like smart characters.
Jarlaxle decides to give Firble a warning:
“Free of charge,” Jarlaxle said with a laugh and a shake of his bald head. But then the mercenary’s visage turned suddenly serious, even grim. “If you know of Drizzt Do’Urden,” Jarlaxle continued, “keep him far away. Lolth herself has charged Matron Malice Do’Urden with Drizzt’s death, and Malice will do whatever she must to accomplish the task. And even if Malice fails, others will take up the hunt, knowing that the Do’Urden’s death will bring great pleasure to the Spider Queen. He is doomed, Firble, and so doomed will be any foolish enough to stand beside him.”
From a not-Drizzt drow, that's downright friendly.
Firble bluffs, calling the warning unnecessary: no one in Blingdenstone knows or cares about a renegade dark elf, and aren't particularly interested in the Spider Queen's favor. Jarlaxle knows it's a bluff, but leaves anyway.
Jarlaxle, keeping us on our toes, notes that since he likes Firble, he won't divulge his suspicions of Drizzt's whereabouts to Malice...unless the pay is REALLY good.
-
We shift scenes to Drizzt, who is having a really good time. We're told his days have been filled with "friendship and fun." He's a hero among the Svirneblin miners who were very impressed by his trick with the goblins.
Then one day, some armed guards come and, at spearpoint, invite Drizzt to an audience with the king. Belwar is unconcerned, I am maybe a little more concerned. I don't remember this plot and I am reluctantly invested now.
Drizzt is also nervous. "All of his life had been filled with crashing ends to promising beginnings." Dude isn't wrong.
Apparently King Schnicktick is not very happy with what he's going to have to say either. Aww. He asks Drizzt if he's enjoyed his stay in the city. And tells him that their lives were enriched by his presence. This is of course a precursor. But Belwar interrupts before Schnicktick can actually kick him out.
Schnicktick explains the drow activity to the east, and what Firble learned about the cause. And it's all very sad. Schnicktick won't put the whole city in jeopardy for one drow, even granted that the drow is a friend. He tells Drizzt he's truly sorry.
I like this conflict a lot actually. Neither Belwar or Schnicktick are presented as bad people. Schnicktick isn't being a coward. He's making the tough call that a king has to make. And it's a reasonable one.
And of course, it gives Drizzt a chance to give a speech:
“Do not be,” Drizzt replied. “You do only as you must, as I did on that long-ago day when I chose to forsake my people. That decision I made alone, and I have never asked any for approval or aid. You, good svirfneblin king, and your people have given me back so much that I had lost. Believe that I have no desire to invoke the wrath of Menzoberranzan against Blingdenstone. I would never forgive myself if I played any part in that tragedy. I will be gone from your fair city within the hour. And in parting I offer only gratitude.”
Aw. Schnicktick is, of course, moved, but not enough to change his judgment. So there we go.
We are told that a hundred deep gnomes, particularly Burrow Warden Krieger and his men from last chapter, are here to see Drizzt off and make their farewells. There's no sign of Belwar at all. Drizzt draws strength from his friends' kind words, but is understandably anxious and lost as the doors close behind him. The solitude was hard, can he bear it again?
Well, he won't have to! Because Belwar has made a decision of his own!
“Belwar!” he cried in relief. “I feared that you would not say farewell.”
“And so I will not,” replied the svirfneblin.
Drizzt studied the burrow-warden, noticing the full pack that Belwar wore. “No, Belwar, I cannot allow—”
“I do not remember asking for your permission,” the deep gnome interrupted. “I have been looking for some excitement in my life. Thought I might venture out and see what the wide world has to offer.”
Aww. I really hope you don't die. I want you to be a penpal to Wulfgar and Bruenor! If you see a zombie, duck!
So the chapter ends with Drizzt wandering anew, but with a companion this time! Woo!
So our chapter starts with someone new: a Councilor named Firble is having a clandestine meeting with a drow. As this drow is described as making a "swaggering entrance", we can already guess who he might be. And indeed, it is Jarlaxle.
Ah, that makes sense! When the svirnebli mentioned a drow visitor in Homeland, I genuinely couldn't figure out who that might be. Zak was clearly stuck in the city. Dinin is too low ranking and may or may not have the self-control to not murder them all. I'd even guessed Gromph Baenre as an option (Gromph's pretty evil, but he can usually be trusted to be involved in more complicated schemes beyond murder.) Jarlaxle is the obvious choice though. I'd just forgotten that he was introduced so early in the series.
Anyway, Jarlaxle is reasonably friendly. He's also very good at the Svirneblin language, with "the perfect inflections and pauses of a deep gnome who had lived a century in Blingdenstone." Interesting. I wonder if that's natural ability or a cool magic toy. With Jarlaxle, it could really be either.
So anyway, apparently Firble called the meeting. He wants to know about drow activity in the area. Jarlaxle pretends surprise, but no one's fooled. Firble's got the payment: fifty finely cut agates. Nice.
Jarlaxle explains, and he does seem to be telling the truth. I remember Jarlaxle in other books, so I'm not as surprised now as I undoubtedly was the first time I read this. He reassures the "little deep gnome" (punch him in the dick, Firble!) that the powers that be in Menzoberranzan aren't interested in attacking the city. There's just one drow house with an interest in the region.
Two more agates gives Firble a reason why: the House is searching for a lost member. Firble, not being an idiot, puts it together. Still, he wants proof, and with twenty more agates (originally ten, but Jarlaxle provides the ancestral name: Daermon N'a'shezbaernon instead), gets the confirmation: they're looking for a drow named Drizzt. Jarlaxle then suggests that information about Drizzt's whereabouts could be greatly rewarded.
Firble, again, is not an idiot.
“Our business is at its end,” Firble announced, deciding to trust that Jarlaxle had not guessed enough to bargain with House Do’Urden. The councilor turned on his heel and started out of the chamber.
Jarlaxle secretly applauded Firble’s decision. He had always believed the svirfneblin councilor a worthy bargaining adversary and was not now disappointed. Firble had revealed little information, too little to take to Matron Malice, and if the deep gnome had more to give, his decision to abruptly end the meeting was a wise one. In spite of their racial differences, Jarlaxle had to admit that he actually liked Firble.
Because of course Firble DOES know more. And he's very worried about giving everything away. Hence the leaving quickly, rather than giving in to the temptation to try to correct or cover for whatever impression he already gave. Like Jarlaxle, I am approving. I like smart characters.
Jarlaxle decides to give Firble a warning:
“Free of charge,” Jarlaxle said with a laugh and a shake of his bald head. But then the mercenary’s visage turned suddenly serious, even grim. “If you know of Drizzt Do’Urden,” Jarlaxle continued, “keep him far away. Lolth herself has charged Matron Malice Do’Urden with Drizzt’s death, and Malice will do whatever she must to accomplish the task. And even if Malice fails, others will take up the hunt, knowing that the Do’Urden’s death will bring great pleasure to the Spider Queen. He is doomed, Firble, and so doomed will be any foolish enough to stand beside him.”
From a not-Drizzt drow, that's downright friendly.
Firble bluffs, calling the warning unnecessary: no one in Blingdenstone knows or cares about a renegade dark elf, and aren't particularly interested in the Spider Queen's favor. Jarlaxle knows it's a bluff, but leaves anyway.
Jarlaxle, keeping us on our toes, notes that since he likes Firble, he won't divulge his suspicions of Drizzt's whereabouts to Malice...unless the pay is REALLY good.
-
We shift scenes to Drizzt, who is having a really good time. We're told his days have been filled with "friendship and fun." He's a hero among the Svirneblin miners who were very impressed by his trick with the goblins.
Then one day, some armed guards come and, at spearpoint, invite Drizzt to an audience with the king. Belwar is unconcerned, I am maybe a little more concerned. I don't remember this plot and I am reluctantly invested now.
Drizzt is also nervous. "All of his life had been filled with crashing ends to promising beginnings." Dude isn't wrong.
Apparently King Schnicktick is not very happy with what he's going to have to say either. Aww. He asks Drizzt if he's enjoyed his stay in the city. And tells him that their lives were enriched by his presence. This is of course a precursor. But Belwar interrupts before Schnicktick can actually kick him out.
Schnicktick explains the drow activity to the east, and what Firble learned about the cause. And it's all very sad. Schnicktick won't put the whole city in jeopardy for one drow, even granted that the drow is a friend. He tells Drizzt he's truly sorry.
I like this conflict a lot actually. Neither Belwar or Schnicktick are presented as bad people. Schnicktick isn't being a coward. He's making the tough call that a king has to make. And it's a reasonable one.
And of course, it gives Drizzt a chance to give a speech:
“Do not be,” Drizzt replied. “You do only as you must, as I did on that long-ago day when I chose to forsake my people. That decision I made alone, and I have never asked any for approval or aid. You, good svirfneblin king, and your people have given me back so much that I had lost. Believe that I have no desire to invoke the wrath of Menzoberranzan against Blingdenstone. I would never forgive myself if I played any part in that tragedy. I will be gone from your fair city within the hour. And in parting I offer only gratitude.”
Aw. Schnicktick is, of course, moved, but not enough to change his judgment. So there we go.
We are told that a hundred deep gnomes, particularly Burrow Warden Krieger and his men from last chapter, are here to see Drizzt off and make their farewells. There's no sign of Belwar at all. Drizzt draws strength from his friends' kind words, but is understandably anxious and lost as the doors close behind him. The solitude was hard, can he bear it again?
Well, he won't have to! Because Belwar has made a decision of his own!
“Belwar!” he cried in relief. “I feared that you would not say farewell.”
“And so I will not,” replied the svirfneblin.
Drizzt studied the burrow-warden, noticing the full pack that Belwar wore. “No, Belwar, I cannot allow—”
“I do not remember asking for your permission,” the deep gnome interrupted. “I have been looking for some excitement in my life. Thought I might venture out and see what the wide world has to offer.”
Aww. I really hope you don't die. I want you to be a penpal to Wulfgar and Bruenor! If you see a zombie, duck!
So the chapter ends with Drizzt wandering anew, but with a companion this time! Woo!
no subject
Date: 2022-08-30 12:03 pm (UTC)And while I recall an unusual new character coming up... I also recall my least favorite part of Exile is coming up as well.
Said least favorite part is a bit after the new guy appears, and I don't want to spoil too much but it involves the mindflayers.
no subject
Date: 2022-09-01 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-05-31 12:06 pm (UTC)Oh, good, the city isn't about to be fridged so Drizzt can have more angst. I was afraid of that for the last few chapters.
Too bad we'll probably never get a follow-up with Drizzt returning to Blingdenstone for a visit. Or the story I'd really like to see, where they become an important stop on a drow Underground Railroad, helping other misfits get away from toxic drow society in search of a better life. Jarlaxle is already selling them information, he probably wouldn't be above selling them orphans who he doesn't think would work out in his mercenary company.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-31 05:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-06-01 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-06-01 08:57 pm (UTC)He DOES have his "don't kill drow" vow, which could be motivated by that kind of sentiment, but that's never clearly outlined.
(There is one character in particular in recent books that I think Drizzt should express a LOT more sympathy and understanding toward, but I'm not caught up, so he might improve...)