The Legend of Drizzt

R . A . S A L V A T O R E“The orcs fleeing the field have returned to me,” Lorgruexplained to Bruenor. “Never would I have sanctioned sucha march against your people, or such a war. It is not the wayof Obould!”“And where’s yerself been this last year o’ fightin’?” Bruenorasked, suspicious.“In the mountains, in exile,” Lorgru answered.Drizzt looked at his red-bearded friend and nodded solemnly.“My kingdom was stolen from me,” Lorgru continued, “byfactions determined to return to the warlike ways of the orcs.I reject those ways! She”—he pointed to Sinnafein—“is aliveand free by my choice, though I could have ordered her killed,legally, even by your own laws, for intruding upon my kingdom.”All eyes went to Sinnafein.“King Lorgru speaks truly,” Sinnafein confirmed. “He wouldhave been within his rights to execute me, but he did not.”“Are ye expectin’ cheers?” King Harnoth said with a growl,looking from Sinnafein to Lorgru.“I expect nothing,” Lorgru replied. “I ask for a truce.”“A truce? Now that we got yer dogs runnin’?” Harnothargued. “A truce so that ye can put ’em all back together andcome hunting dwarfs once more?”“Bruenor speaks for us, King Harnoth,” Emerus Warcrownsaid, an edge of anger coming into his tone. Harnoth returnedhis angry stare, but Connerad Brawnanvil was quick to back upKing Emerus, as was Aleina Brightlance.“Bah, but I’m not needin’ ye,” Harnoth grumbled at length.“The boys o’ Adbar alone can finish the job.”“Aye, but ye won’t,” Bruenor said in a tone that brookedno debate. The red-bearded dwarf spun on Lorgru. “A truce,ye’re wanting?”The orc nodded.“Ye want us to leave yerself and yer boys alone in themountains, do ye?”Another nod.30