"David Eddings - The Legacy Of The Drow II - Starless Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

R.A. Salvatore
Starless Night
The Legacy of the Drow
Book 2


PROLOGUE


Drizzt ran his fingers over the intricate carvings of the panther statuette, its black onyx perfectly smooth and
unmarred even in the ridged areas of the muscled neck. So much like Guenhwyvar, it looked a perfect
representation. How could Drizzt bear to part with it now, fully convinced that he would never see the great
panther again?
тАЬFarewell, Guenhwyvar, тАЭ the drow ranger whispered, his expression sorrowful, almost pitiful, as he stared at
the figurine. тАЬI cannot in good conscience take you with me on this journey, for I would fear your fate more
than my own.тАЭ His sigh was one of sincere resignation. He and his friends had fought long and hard, and at
great sacrifice, to get to this point of peace, yet Drizzt had come to know that it was a false victory. He
wanted to deny it, to put Guenhwyvar back in his pouch and go blindly on, hoping for the best. Drizzt sighed
away the momentary weakness and handed the figurine over to Regis, the halfling.
Regis stared up at Drizzt in disbelief for a long, silent while shocked by what the drow had told him and had
demanded of him.
тАЬFive weeks, тАЭ Drizzt reminded him.
The halflingтАЩs cherubic, boyish features crinkled. If Drizzt did not return in five weeks, Regis was to give
Guenhwyvar to Catti-brie and tell both her and King Bruenor the truth of DrizztтАЩs departure.
From the drowтАЩs dark and somber tones, Regis understood that Drizzt did not expect to return.
On sudden inspiration, the halfling dropped the figurine to his bed and fumbled with a chain about his neck,
its clasp caught in the long, curly locks of his brown hair. He finally got the thing undone and produced a
pendant, dangling a large and magical ruby.
Now Drizzt was shocked. He knew the value of RegisтАЩs gemstone and the halflingтАЩs craven love of the thing.
To say that Regis was acting out of character would be an incredible understatement.
тАЬI cannot, тАЭ Drizzt argued, pushing the stone away. тАЬI may not
return, and it would be lost. . .
тАЬTake it!тАЭ Regis demanded sharply. тАЬFor all that you have done for me, for all of us, you surely deserve it. ItтАЩs
one thing to leave Guenhwyvar behind it would be a tragedy indeed if the panther fell into the hands of your
evil kin but this is merely a magical token, no living being, and it may aid you on your journey. Take it as you
take your scimitars.тАЭ The halfling paused, his soft gaze locking with DrizztтАЩs violet orbs. тАЬMy friend.тАЭ
Regis snapped his fingers suddenly, stealing the quiet moment.
He rambled across the floor, his bare feet slapping on the cold stone and his nightshirt swishing about him.
From a drawer he produced yet another item, a rather unremarkable mask.
тАЬI recovered it, тАЭ he said, not wanting to reveal the whole story of how he had acquired the familiar item. In
truth, Regis had gone from Mithril Hall and found Artemis Entreri hanging helplessly
from a jutting stone far up the side of a ravine. Regis promptly had
looted the assassin, then cut the seam of EntreriтАЩs cloak. The halfling had listened with some measure of
satisfaction as the cloak, the only thing holding the battered, barely conscious man aloft, began to rip.
Drizzt eyed the magical mask for a long time. He had taken it from the lair of a banshee more than a year
before. With it, its user could change his entire appearance, could hide his identity.
тАЬThis should help you get in and out, тАЭ Regis said hopefully. Still Drizzt made no move.
тАЬI want you to have it, тАЭ Regis insisted, misunderstanding the drowтАЩs hesitation and jerking it out toward
Drizzt. Regis did not realize the significance the mask held for Drizzt DoтАЩUrden. Drizzt
had once worn it to hide his identity, because a dark elf walking the surface world was at a great