The Halfling's Gem - Chapter 18
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i_read_whatSo last time in the Halfling's Gem, we had a fair bit of villain filler (sorry, but the downside to a heroes chase the villains narrative is that the villains are not that interesting while they wait). That said, there was one pretty interesting part: when Pasha Pook uses Guenhwyvar the cat to execute Regis and she disappears with him instead.
So as we rejoin our heroes, they're being watched by the halfling Dondon. He's in disguise as a waif, but he's a bit anxious. The moon is bright tonight, and he's fighting back lycanthropic urges.
People on the street smile and wink at him, recognizing him as "a master con artist" and "on the prowl" which makes me wonder how the hell this thieves guild even works if all the locals already know who they are. Oh, and to be fair, this is commented on:
With his reputation, Dondon had long become ineffective against the regulars of Calimport's streets, but those characters knew enough to keep their mouths shut about the halfling to strangers. Dondon always managed to surround himself with the toughest rogues of the city, and blowing his cover to an intended victim was a serious crime indeed!
...okay, fair enough.
So anyway, Drizzt and company are taken off guard by Calimport at night. It's very busy, apparently, compared to the northern cities, who tend to only have nighttime activities in the tavern. Eh, I doubt Waterdeep is that quiet, or Luskan, really. But then our heroes are basically from the sticks.
Even the lowly peasants took on a different demeanor, suddenly mysterious and sinister.
...I feel like this is borderline racist? I mean, not intentionally. But Calimport definitely seems to be middle east inspired in a lot of ways. So, maybe watch for this kind of thing, Mr. Salvatore?
So anyway, they observe the guildhouse. Catti-brie states the obvious: if Regis is there, they need to find their way in. Drizzt has other priorities:
"No doubt that Regis is in there," Drizzt replied. "Our hunt should start with Entreri."
...why? You know where Regis is. You want to rescue Regis. Don't you? You don't want Regis to be tortured longer so you can pursue your vendetta, do you?
Also, Entreri used Regis to lure you down here. Odds are, your best bet in finding Entreri is to go to Regis. Catti-brie continues to grow on me:
"We've come to find Regis," Catti-brie reminded him, casting a disappointed glance his way. Drizzt quickly clarified his answer to her satisfaction.
"The road to Regis lies through the assassin," he said. "Entreri has seen to that. You heard his words at the chasm of Garumn's Gorge. Entreri will not allow us to find Regis until we have dealt with him."
Catti-brie could not deny the drow's logic. When Entreri had snatched Regis from them back in Mithril Hall, he had gone to great pains to bait Drizzt into the chase, as though his capture of Regis was merely part of a game he was playing against Drizzt.
...what logic?
Seriously. What logic? Even IF Entreri won't allow you to find Regis...YOU JUST ADMITTED YOU KNOW WHERE REGIS IS! You don't HAVE to "find Regis" and if you go to rescue Regis, you will find Entreri.
This is so dumb. You know what would be a better reason for this, with ACTUAL logic? "It's probably a trap. Entreri would expect us to attack straight on and we'll be walking into an ambush. Our best bet is to find Entreri before he can spring the trap."
There, a logical reason. You're welcome.
...okay, now I'm boggled:
"Where to begin?" Bruenor huffed in frustration. He had expected the street to be quieter, offering them a better opportunity to scope out the task before them. He had hoped that they might even complete their business that very night.
"Right where we are," Drizzt replied, to Bruenor's amazement.
"Learn the smell of the street," the drow explained. "Watch the moves of its people and hear their sounds. Prepare your mind for what is to come."
"Time, elf!" Bruenor growled back. "Me heart tells me that Rumblebelly's liken to have a whip at his back as we stand here smelling the stinkin' street!"
"We need not seek Entreri," Wulfgar cut in, following Drizzt's line of thinking. "The assassin will find us."
...
What?
So your plan is to...stay still? The fuck?
Okay, whatever. You could at least set up your own damn trap. This is fucking stupid.
And indeed:
Almost on cue, as if Wulfgar's statement had reminded them all of their dangerous surroundings, the four of them turned their eyes outward from their little huddle and watched the bustle of the street around them. Dark eyes peered at them from every corner; each person that ambled past cast them a sidelong glance. Calimport was not unaccustomed to strangers - it was a trading port, after all - but these four would stand out clearly on the streets of any city in the Realms. Recognizing their vulnerability, Drizzt decided to get them moving. He started off down Rogues Circle, motioning for the others to follow.
...I thought the plan was to stay put, Drizzt.
Before you think I've been cutting bits out, these excerpts are all one right after another. There are more contradictions here than in Shapechangers. Was the editor asleep?
So anyway, they don't get far before Dondon accosts them, in the guise of a human boy. He asks if they're "looking for a hit" and Bruenor shoos him off saying they've no time for play.
"Just a boy!" Bruenor explained to the drow as he approached.
"A street boy," Drizzt corrected, stepping around Bruenor and Wulfgar and starting back, "with eyes and ears that miss little.
It really does annoy me that Drizzt's the expert traveler here, when a big point is that he can't go out in public without a disguise.
Anyway, Dondon had said he could set them up, and Drizzt asks how.
Essentially, Dondon offers them a secret way into Pook's house. They seem to fall for it...BUT OF COURSE:
Drizzt rose - and turned away, hiding his chuckle from the informant. Hadn't they just been talking about Entreri making contact? Barely minutes before this enlightening boy so conveniently arrived to guide them.
"Wulfgar, take off his shoes," Drizzt said. His three friends turned to him curiously.
It wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't ALWAYS Drizzt. But fine, whatever. That's an irritation I'd best get used to.
Anyway, the shoe thing is because halflings have hairy feet. And indeed, Dondon is exposed. They interrogate him, and this part is rather fun because it's Bruenor, Catti-brie and Wulfgar at work. Wulfgar tries to use his size, but his boyish looks work against him. Bruenor, however, knows how to be intimidating, while Catti-brie plays good cop.
So Dondon grovels "as only a halfling could". Which, rude. He confesses that he's just doing what Entreri made him to do. And this is a pretty great exchage:
"Forget Entreri!" Bruenor growled in his face. "Me axe'll stop that one from hurting yerself."
"You think you can kill Entreri?" Dondon shot back, though he knew the true meaning of Bruenor's claim.
"Entreri can't hurt a corpse," Bruenor replied grimly. "Me axe'll beat him to yer head!"
Dondon turns to Drizzt, in hopes of a calmer situation. Drizzt stays out of it, thinking, of course, that something seems out of place.
So anyway, Dondon admits that Pook's house is a fortress and there's no safe way in. He does blurt that if he were to try, he'd use the sewers. The gang are about to use Dondon as a "leader" like they did the merchant Salib, but Drizzt tells them to let him go:
"Entreri would not understand," Drizzt replied. He looked Dondon in the eye, giving no indication to the halfling that he had figured out his little ploy within a ploy. "Nor would he forgive."
He's not wrong but I really wish Salvatore had a lighter hand with the all wise Drizzt stuff. I don't get the sense that Bruenor, Wulfgar and Catti-brie are supposed to be naive idiots all the time, but that's how they look. Constantly dumbed down so Drizzt gets to shine.
Anyway, they decide to rest. Right now, things are too crowded to get into the sewers, but that will change. And OF COURSE, "Drizzt alone did not find sleep." Fucking hell, why do we even HAVE a supporting cast in this book?
Apparently he DID take off the mask though:
Drizzt alone did not find sleep. He sat propped by the door of the room, listening for sounds of any approach and lulled into meditations by the rhythmic breathing of his companions. He looked down at the mask hanging around his neck. So simple a lie, and he could walk freely throughout the world.
But would he then be trapped within the web of his own deception? What freedom could he find in denying the truth about himself?
Drizzt looked over at Catti-brie, peacefully slumped in the room's single bed, and smiled.
There was indeed wisdom in innocence, a vein of truth in the idealism of untainted perceptions.
He could not disappoint her.
...okay, fair. But I feel like people MIGHT notice you, dude.
Finally, after the moon sets, they go to the sewers. Wulfgar gets to lift the grate, though it's more of a struggle than he expects. Finally, there's a snapping chain inside, Wulfgar is sent sprawling backward, while the lifting iron clips Bruenor in the forehead, knocking his helmet off. Because this is slapstick, Bruenor doesn't die from this. He only grumbles.
Anyway, Drizzt goes in first, and Catti-brie is alarmed at the "eager gleam" in his eye. But there's nothing too suspenseful here and he calls them down pretty quickly.
So now we reach the sewer level of the game. Or rather the story. It's gross, smelly and dark, and soon they're accosted by wererats. Drizzt intimidates a few, by virtue of being a drow. Wulfgar is able to keep many at bay, but they're too wary to get close enough to get hit. Catti-brie's doing well with the magic bow. She's working well with Bruenor: shooting arrows over his head, then the ones that reach him, off balance from dodging arrows, are easy meat for Bruenor's axe.
I like things like this that show Bruenor and Catti-brie are father and daughter and have clearly trained together for a long time.
However, they're still outnumbered, and eventually, a rat dude gets a lucky shot with a crossbow. Wulfgar manages to get out of the way, but Catti-brie, behind him, isn't so lucky.
We scene shift to Drizzt, who'd run off during this fight. He's got a good idea of their numbers now, but realizes he's being herded. Congrats for abandoning your friends, dick. If Regis did it, everyone would be assuming cowardice, but of course Drizzt probably has a good reason. Hmph.
Back with the others, Wulfgar starts toward "his fallen love, his Catti-brie" and I mean, really? The two haven't had a conversation since Crystal Shard, and that wasn't exactly romantic. I'm willing to be sold on this pairing (especially since Drizzt/Catti-brie is a little creepy to me), but you gotta give me SOMETHING.
Anyway, the wererats are charging, but Wulfgar is ENRAGED, and being a barbarian, that's a big deal. Bruenor is taking care of Catti-brie, who actually isn't that bad off. It's a grazing shot, unpleasant, but she's dealing with it. Bruenor urges her to stay down, and "give the boy something to fight for!"
...I...find this incredibly off putting as a narrative beat. Catti-brie is more useful pretending to be dead so Wulfgar can be enraged than by fighting in her own right? Really?
-
Back at Drizzt, the rats are closing in. He's able to ambush a few though. At some point, he uses a globe of darkness to help him kill more of them.
--
Back with the others, Wulfgar is still enraged. Lots of colorful descriptions of poor dead, or soon to be dead, wererats. They're not bad descriptions, but they don't recap well. Wulfgar's eyes are rimmed with tears. Aw.
So anyway, Catti-brie gets up once the wererats flee:
Wulfgar meant to pursue them, to hunt each of them down and vent his vengeance, but Catti-brie rose to intercept him. She leaped into his chest as he skidded in surprise, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him more passionately than he had ever imagined he could be kissed.
He held her at arm's length, gawking and stuttering in confusion until a joyful smile spread wide and took all other emotions out of his face. Then he hugged her back for another kiss.
This still seems really tacked on.
Anyway, they start trying to find Drizzt. Eventually, they find a door and wonder if it's the guild. In the mean time, Entreri is watching them from a cubby above the door. Which is a funny mental image.
Anyway, Bruenor is distracted by a box at the door, but Wulfgar recognizes it as similar to the thing that held Regis's finger. He slams his way through the door, only to have a portcullis slam closed behind him, separating him from Bruenor and Catti-brie.
--
Finally, back to Drizzt. He's now cornered, and wonders if this is how it ends, before laughing and then diving back into the fray. The chapter ends here.
Sorry, Wulfgar's cliffhanger was better.
(Edited: Actually, I completely missed an important part of Drizzt's cliffhanger, which involved getting trapped by a weird monster and being about to fight his way out. Wulfgar's cliffhanger was still better though.)
So as we rejoin our heroes, they're being watched by the halfling Dondon. He's in disguise as a waif, but he's a bit anxious. The moon is bright tonight, and he's fighting back lycanthropic urges.
People on the street smile and wink at him, recognizing him as "a master con artist" and "on the prowl" which makes me wonder how the hell this thieves guild even works if all the locals already know who they are. Oh, and to be fair, this is commented on:
With his reputation, Dondon had long become ineffective against the regulars of Calimport's streets, but those characters knew enough to keep their mouths shut about the halfling to strangers. Dondon always managed to surround himself with the toughest rogues of the city, and blowing his cover to an intended victim was a serious crime indeed!
...okay, fair enough.
So anyway, Drizzt and company are taken off guard by Calimport at night. It's very busy, apparently, compared to the northern cities, who tend to only have nighttime activities in the tavern. Eh, I doubt Waterdeep is that quiet, or Luskan, really. But then our heroes are basically from the sticks.
Even the lowly peasants took on a different demeanor, suddenly mysterious and sinister.
...I feel like this is borderline racist? I mean, not intentionally. But Calimport definitely seems to be middle east inspired in a lot of ways. So, maybe watch for this kind of thing, Mr. Salvatore?
So anyway, they observe the guildhouse. Catti-brie states the obvious: if Regis is there, they need to find their way in. Drizzt has other priorities:
"No doubt that Regis is in there," Drizzt replied. "Our hunt should start with Entreri."
...why? You know where Regis is. You want to rescue Regis. Don't you? You don't want Regis to be tortured longer so you can pursue your vendetta, do you?
Also, Entreri used Regis to lure you down here. Odds are, your best bet in finding Entreri is to go to Regis. Catti-brie continues to grow on me:
"We've come to find Regis," Catti-brie reminded him, casting a disappointed glance his way. Drizzt quickly clarified his answer to her satisfaction.
"The road to Regis lies through the assassin," he said. "Entreri has seen to that. You heard his words at the chasm of Garumn's Gorge. Entreri will not allow us to find Regis until we have dealt with him."
Catti-brie could not deny the drow's logic. When Entreri had snatched Regis from them back in Mithril Hall, he had gone to great pains to bait Drizzt into the chase, as though his capture of Regis was merely part of a game he was playing against Drizzt.
...what logic?
Seriously. What logic? Even IF Entreri won't allow you to find Regis...YOU JUST ADMITTED YOU KNOW WHERE REGIS IS! You don't HAVE to "find Regis" and if you go to rescue Regis, you will find Entreri.
This is so dumb. You know what would be a better reason for this, with ACTUAL logic? "It's probably a trap. Entreri would expect us to attack straight on and we'll be walking into an ambush. Our best bet is to find Entreri before he can spring the trap."
There, a logical reason. You're welcome.
...okay, now I'm boggled:
"Where to begin?" Bruenor huffed in frustration. He had expected the street to be quieter, offering them a better opportunity to scope out the task before them. He had hoped that they might even complete their business that very night.
"Right where we are," Drizzt replied, to Bruenor's amazement.
"Learn the smell of the street," the drow explained. "Watch the moves of its people and hear their sounds. Prepare your mind for what is to come."
"Time, elf!" Bruenor growled back. "Me heart tells me that Rumblebelly's liken to have a whip at his back as we stand here smelling the stinkin' street!"
"We need not seek Entreri," Wulfgar cut in, following Drizzt's line of thinking. "The assassin will find us."
...
What?
So your plan is to...stay still? The fuck?
Okay, whatever. You could at least set up your own damn trap. This is fucking stupid.
And indeed:
Almost on cue, as if Wulfgar's statement had reminded them all of their dangerous surroundings, the four of them turned their eyes outward from their little huddle and watched the bustle of the street around them. Dark eyes peered at them from every corner; each person that ambled past cast them a sidelong glance. Calimport was not unaccustomed to strangers - it was a trading port, after all - but these four would stand out clearly on the streets of any city in the Realms. Recognizing their vulnerability, Drizzt decided to get them moving. He started off down Rogues Circle, motioning for the others to follow.
...I thought the plan was to stay put, Drizzt.
Before you think I've been cutting bits out, these excerpts are all one right after another. There are more contradictions here than in Shapechangers. Was the editor asleep?
So anyway, they don't get far before Dondon accosts them, in the guise of a human boy. He asks if they're "looking for a hit" and Bruenor shoos him off saying they've no time for play.
"Just a boy!" Bruenor explained to the drow as he approached.
"A street boy," Drizzt corrected, stepping around Bruenor and Wulfgar and starting back, "with eyes and ears that miss little.
It really does annoy me that Drizzt's the expert traveler here, when a big point is that he can't go out in public without a disguise.
Anyway, Dondon had said he could set them up, and Drizzt asks how.
Essentially, Dondon offers them a secret way into Pook's house. They seem to fall for it...BUT OF COURSE:
Drizzt rose - and turned away, hiding his chuckle from the informant. Hadn't they just been talking about Entreri making contact? Barely minutes before this enlightening boy so conveniently arrived to guide them.
"Wulfgar, take off his shoes," Drizzt said. His three friends turned to him curiously.
It wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't ALWAYS Drizzt. But fine, whatever. That's an irritation I'd best get used to.
Anyway, the shoe thing is because halflings have hairy feet. And indeed, Dondon is exposed. They interrogate him, and this part is rather fun because it's Bruenor, Catti-brie and Wulfgar at work. Wulfgar tries to use his size, but his boyish looks work against him. Bruenor, however, knows how to be intimidating, while Catti-brie plays good cop.
So Dondon grovels "as only a halfling could". Which, rude. He confesses that he's just doing what Entreri made him to do. And this is a pretty great exchage:
"Forget Entreri!" Bruenor growled in his face. "Me axe'll stop that one from hurting yerself."
"You think you can kill Entreri?" Dondon shot back, though he knew the true meaning of Bruenor's claim.
"Entreri can't hurt a corpse," Bruenor replied grimly. "Me axe'll beat him to yer head!"
Dondon turns to Drizzt, in hopes of a calmer situation. Drizzt stays out of it, thinking, of course, that something seems out of place.
So anyway, Dondon admits that Pook's house is a fortress and there's no safe way in. He does blurt that if he were to try, he'd use the sewers. The gang are about to use Dondon as a "leader" like they did the merchant Salib, but Drizzt tells them to let him go:
"Entreri would not understand," Drizzt replied. He looked Dondon in the eye, giving no indication to the halfling that he had figured out his little ploy within a ploy. "Nor would he forgive."
He's not wrong but I really wish Salvatore had a lighter hand with the all wise Drizzt stuff. I don't get the sense that Bruenor, Wulfgar and Catti-brie are supposed to be naive idiots all the time, but that's how they look. Constantly dumbed down so Drizzt gets to shine.
Anyway, they decide to rest. Right now, things are too crowded to get into the sewers, but that will change. And OF COURSE, "Drizzt alone did not find sleep." Fucking hell, why do we even HAVE a supporting cast in this book?
Apparently he DID take off the mask though:
Drizzt alone did not find sleep. He sat propped by the door of the room, listening for sounds of any approach and lulled into meditations by the rhythmic breathing of his companions. He looked down at the mask hanging around his neck. So simple a lie, and he could walk freely throughout the world.
But would he then be trapped within the web of his own deception? What freedom could he find in denying the truth about himself?
Drizzt looked over at Catti-brie, peacefully slumped in the room's single bed, and smiled.
There was indeed wisdom in innocence, a vein of truth in the idealism of untainted perceptions.
He could not disappoint her.
...okay, fair. But I feel like people MIGHT notice you, dude.
Finally, after the moon sets, they go to the sewers. Wulfgar gets to lift the grate, though it's more of a struggle than he expects. Finally, there's a snapping chain inside, Wulfgar is sent sprawling backward, while the lifting iron clips Bruenor in the forehead, knocking his helmet off. Because this is slapstick, Bruenor doesn't die from this. He only grumbles.
Anyway, Drizzt goes in first, and Catti-brie is alarmed at the "eager gleam" in his eye. But there's nothing too suspenseful here and he calls them down pretty quickly.
So now we reach the sewer level of the game. Or rather the story. It's gross, smelly and dark, and soon they're accosted by wererats. Drizzt intimidates a few, by virtue of being a drow. Wulfgar is able to keep many at bay, but they're too wary to get close enough to get hit. Catti-brie's doing well with the magic bow. She's working well with Bruenor: shooting arrows over his head, then the ones that reach him, off balance from dodging arrows, are easy meat for Bruenor's axe.
I like things like this that show Bruenor and Catti-brie are father and daughter and have clearly trained together for a long time.
However, they're still outnumbered, and eventually, a rat dude gets a lucky shot with a crossbow. Wulfgar manages to get out of the way, but Catti-brie, behind him, isn't so lucky.
We scene shift to Drizzt, who'd run off during this fight. He's got a good idea of their numbers now, but realizes he's being herded. Congrats for abandoning your friends, dick. If Regis did it, everyone would be assuming cowardice, but of course Drizzt probably has a good reason. Hmph.
Back with the others, Wulfgar starts toward "his fallen love, his Catti-brie" and I mean, really? The two haven't had a conversation since Crystal Shard, and that wasn't exactly romantic. I'm willing to be sold on this pairing (especially since Drizzt/Catti-brie is a little creepy to me), but you gotta give me SOMETHING.
Anyway, the wererats are charging, but Wulfgar is ENRAGED, and being a barbarian, that's a big deal. Bruenor is taking care of Catti-brie, who actually isn't that bad off. It's a grazing shot, unpleasant, but she's dealing with it. Bruenor urges her to stay down, and "give the boy something to fight for!"
...I...find this incredibly off putting as a narrative beat. Catti-brie is more useful pretending to be dead so Wulfgar can be enraged than by fighting in her own right? Really?
-
Back at Drizzt, the rats are closing in. He's able to ambush a few though. At some point, he uses a globe of darkness to help him kill more of them.
--
Back with the others, Wulfgar is still enraged. Lots of colorful descriptions of poor dead, or soon to be dead, wererats. They're not bad descriptions, but they don't recap well. Wulfgar's eyes are rimmed with tears. Aw.
So anyway, Catti-brie gets up once the wererats flee:
Wulfgar meant to pursue them, to hunt each of them down and vent his vengeance, but Catti-brie rose to intercept him. She leaped into his chest as he skidded in surprise, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him more passionately than he had ever imagined he could be kissed.
He held her at arm's length, gawking and stuttering in confusion until a joyful smile spread wide and took all other emotions out of his face. Then he hugged her back for another kiss.
This still seems really tacked on.
Anyway, they start trying to find Drizzt. Eventually, they find a door and wonder if it's the guild. In the mean time, Entreri is watching them from a cubby above the door. Which is a funny mental image.
Anyway, Bruenor is distracted by a box at the door, but Wulfgar recognizes it as similar to the thing that held Regis's finger. He slams his way through the door, only to have a portcullis slam closed behind him, separating him from Bruenor and Catti-brie.
--
Finally, back to Drizzt. He's now cornered, and wonders if this is how it ends, before laughing and then diving back into the fray. The chapter ends here.
Sorry, Wulfgar's cliffhanger was better.
(Edited: Actually, I completely missed an important part of Drizzt's cliffhanger, which involved getting trapped by a weird monster and being about to fight his way out. Wulfgar's cliffhanger was still better though.)