The Halfling's Gem - Chapter 13

[kalinara]

So last time we had a lovely reunion between Drizzt, Wulfgar, Catti-brie and Bruenor. Drizzt and Catti-brie even managed to exchange a line of dialogue for the first time ever. The Sea Sprite crew know Drizzt's real race. And they've got some semblance of a plan.



We start the chapter in Calimport, the largest city in the Forgotten realms. It's a sprawling conglomeration of shanties and massive temples, of tall towers springing from plains of low wooden houses. This was the hub of the southern coast, a vast marketplace several times the area of Waterdeep..

We're here with Regis and Entreri. And we get a bit of backstory for Regis, as he's dragged shell-shocked through the city. He was a child here, homeless and hungry. But he had charm and luck, and eventually managed to get himself adopted as a servant of a brothel. The ladies there eventually introduced him to Pasha Pook, where he became Pook's "favorite little cutpurse".

This is pretty interesting as backstory goes, because it makes me wonder how much of Regis's stereotypically halfling behavior is actually a put upon. It doesn't sound like there's much of a known halfling community in Calimport, and even if there is, it doesn't sound like Regis was part of it. Orphaned, hanging around gangs of children and then sex workers. They don't mention race. So does Regis really know what halfling society and customs are like?

Anyway, Regis's recollection gets darker, as they enter the Rogues' Circle. He knows how scary Pook can be, and that he'll never be forgiven his treachery. It's too much for Regis, who faints when the door is opened for them. He faints again when they reach Pasha Pook's door.

For his part, Entreri is suspicious of all of this. Pook is waiting for him with enough formal ceremony that he can tell something is wrong. Entreri's been gone for three years, but he's returned with his quarry. He doesn't know why Pook is treating him with such suspicion.

The answer comes out: they know that Regis's friends were following. Of course they believe that said friends are no more, seeing as how they sprung the pirate trap. This pisses Enteri off, of course, because of his own plans for Drizzt. But Pook only cares about his pendant.

Things get a little scary for Pook when he realizes Entreri hadn't yet produced the pendant. But Entreri relaxes when Pook clarifies that there's no confirmation of death yet. But with three ships sent after them, death is inevitable.

Entreri knows Drizzt better than Pook does though, so he's mollified and tosses the pendant back to Pook. Regis has been through a lot though, and he's caught up in despair. He barely even notices Pook's threats anymore.

They're interrupted by the arrival of Rassiter, the wererat. He immediately decides to get into a pissing contest with the very bemused Artemis Entreri.

Rassiter stood nearly a foot taller than Entreri, a fact that only added to the wererat's already cocky attitude. Like so many simpleton bullies, Rassiter often confused size with strength, and looking down at this man who was a legend on the streets of Calimport - and thus his rival - made him think that he had already gained the upper hand.

He even tries to put a hand on Entreri's shoulder, promising they'll do great things together. Oh, rats should be very careful around cats. And indeed, Entreri is not impressed. Rassiter tries to recover by offering to take care of Regis, but Pook has his own plans. His reference to "furry hands" clues Entreri in on Rassiter's nature though. Rassiter retreats.

Entreri is VERY unimpressed by the wererats and Pook's excuses. He asks about his room: the wizard Lavalle explains that he had been using it (his own quarters will be completed soon) but promises he can vacate them in minutes. Entreri is actually happy for a bit of space, and says he'll find a room below so as to better understand "the new ways of the guild."

Pook, for his part, orders Entreri to take Regis to the "Cells of Nine" which is Pook's infamous dungeon. He leaves.

LaValle and Pook discuss things. LaValle proves much MUCH smarter than Pook when he notes that the confrontation did not go well, and that Entreri will kill Rassiter if the latter isn't careful. He's also concerned about the possibility of a rift in the guild. If Rassiter tries to turn on Entreri, there could be trouble.

Pook is unconcerned though, figuring Rassiter isn't that stupid. LaValle lets himself be convinced, but I'm not.

The scene shifts to the Cells of Nine. Which sound pretty swanky:

The Cells of Nine were so named because of the nine cells cut into the center of a chamber's floor, three abreast and three long. Only the center cell was ever unoccupied; the other eight held Pasha Pook's most treasured collection: great hunting cats from every corner of the Realms.

The victim, in this case Regis, has to walk a path along the outer cells, right next to the cells with the cats. At one point, the jailor tugs the rope holding him, almost pulling him into the lion's cage. A tiger nearly knocks down its far too thin cell wall. But eventually, Regis makes it to the center.

The center cell just has bars, and they're spread enough for the cats to get their paws through. And the cats are hungry. Regis contemplates just giving up, but is too much of a survivor. Instead, he stands, very very still, in the center of the room. Afraid even to sleep for fear of getting in range of cat paws.

I have to admit, that's a pretty clever torture set up. Well done. The chapter ends here.