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fool indeed was in the employ of one, though I doubt that to be the case. Still, from the perspecti-
ve of High Captain Baram, the perpetrator of his loss was none other than Arklem Greeth."
"We don't see it that way," Duragoe said with amusing vigor-amusing only because it reinfor-
ced the man's abject terror at the thought of bringing his bluster to the feet of the archmage arca-
ne.
Kensidan shrugged. "You have no claim with Ship Rethnor," he said. "I know not of this fool,
Loodran, nor does my father."
"Ye haven't even asked him," Duragoe said with a growl and an accusatory point of his thick
finger.
Kensidan brought his hands up before his face, tapped his fingertips a couple of times, then
folded the hands together, staring all the while at Duragoe, and without the slightest hint of a
blink.
Duragoe shrank back even more, as if he had realized for the first time that he might be in
enemy territory, and that he might be wise to take greater care before throwing forth his accusati-
ons. He glanced left and right nervously, sweat showing at his temples, and his breathing became
noticeably faster.
"Go and tell High Captain Baram that he has no business with Ship Rethnor regarding this
matter," Kensidan explained. "We know nothing of it beyond the whispers filtering through the
streets. That is my last word on the subject."
Duragoe started to respond, but Kensidan cut him short with a sharp and loud, "Ever."
The thug straightened and tried to regain a bit of his dignity. He looked around again, left and
right, to see Ship Rethnor soldiers entering the room, having heard Kensidan's declaration that
their discussion was at its end.
"And pray do tell High Captain Baram that if he wishes to discuss any matters with Ship Reth-
nor in the future, then Kensidan will be pleased to host him," Kensidan said.
Before the flustered Duragoe could respond, the Crow turned to a pair of guards and motioned
them to escort the visitor away.
As soon as Duragoe had exited the room, High Captain Suljack came back in through a side
door. "Good fortune to us that Arklem Greeth overplayed his hand, and that this man, Loodran,
happened to intersect with one of Baram's merchants," he said. "Baram's not an easy one to bring
to our side. A favorable coincidence with favorable timing."
"Only a fool would leave necessary good fortune to coincidence at a critical time," Kensidan
not-so-cryptically replied.
Behind him, the tough dwarf with the morningstars giggled, drawing a concerned look from
High Captain Suljack, who had long ago realized that the son of Rethnor was many steps ahead
of his every move.
"Sea Sprite will put in today at high tide," Kensidan said, trying not to grin as Suljack tried
hard not to look surprised, "along with Lord Brambleberry of Waterdeep and his fleet."
"Int'resting times," High Captain Suljack managed to sputter.
"We could have gone straight to Icewind Dale," Regis remarked as he and Drizzt passed thro-
ugh the heavily guarded gate of Luskan. The halfling looked back over his shoulder as he spoke,
eyeing the guards with contempt. Their greeting at the gate had not been warm, but condescen-
ding and full of suspicion regarding Regis's dark-skinned companion.
Drizzt didn't look back, and if he was bothered at all by the icy reception, he didn't show it.
"I never would have believed that my friend Regis would choose a hard trail over a comfortab-
le bed in a city full of indulgences," the drow said.
"I'm weary from the comments, always the comments," Regis said. "And the looks of derision.
How can you ignore it? How many times do you have to prove your worth and value?"
"Why should the ignorance of a pair of guards in a city that is not my home concern me at
all?" Drizzt replied. "Had they not allowed us through, as with Mirabar when we ventured thro-
ugh there with Bruenor on our way to Mithral Hall, then their actions affect me and my friends,
and so yes, that is a concern. But we're past the gate, after all. Their stares at my back don't inva-
de my body, and wouldn't even if I were not wearing this fine mithral shirt."
"But you have been nothing other than a friend and ally to Luskan!" Regis protested. "You sa-
iled with Sea Sprite for years, to their benefit. And that was not so long ago."
"I knew neither of the sentries."
"But they had to know you-your reputation at least."
"If they believed I was who I said I was."
Regis shook his head in frustration.
"I don't have to prove my worth and value to any but those I love," Drizzt said to him, drop-
ping his arm across the halfling's shoulders. "And that I do by being who I am, with confidence
that those I love appreciate the good and accept the bad. Does anything else really matter? Do the
looks of guards I don't know and who don't know me truly affect the pleasures, the triumphs, and
the failings of my life?"
"I just get angry& "
Drizzt pulled him close and laughed, appreciating the support. "If I ever get such a scornful lo-
ok from you, Bruenor, or Catti-brie, then I will fret," the drow said.
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