Written by:
Claudia Arregoces
[email protected]

Murder Most Fo

Pa

  The peaceful quiet of the forest, oftentimes accented by the slight twittering of birds or the shuffle of branches when foxes slipped to their dens, was quite suddenly interrupted when a new voice sang out. Strong and confident, but melodic and lovely, the singer was quite obviously no natural denizen of the forest, yet the voice was not out of place. Indeed, after a moment of listening, the songbirds welcomed the traveler by joining his song, adding their own warbling as a background chorus.

  At first startled by the sudden singing, but then pausing in midstep to listen a moment, Drizzt Do'Urden suddenly veered off his path through the trees and trotted off towards the sound. He paused at the treeline and settled back behind an ashwood trunk, watching the road and waiting as the traveler approached.

  Soon enough, the singer came into view, his voice still strong. Mounted on a fine fiery-red stallion, and apparently oblivious to his surroundings, the musician was singing a popular ballad about a noble knight and his lady love.

  Drizzt came around the tree trunk and leaned his shoulder against it, crossing his arms on his chest and openly staring at the singer, who had his eyes closed as he sang out the lady's lament of cruel fate's games. The stallion, allowed by the rider to travel at a leisurely walk, snorted as he came near the ranger. Perhaps it was this that made the singer open his eyes.

  Lavender eyes met emerald, and for a moment the singer paused, just as he was about to get to the knight's reply. The stallion, too, paused at some silent, unseen signal. Then the singer winked at the dark elven ranger and continued... that is, continued his song..

And our brave knight,

  Bemoaned not his plight,

     and gazed into her eyes,

      That shone like stars at night.

         'Lady Fate hath her game played,'

                Quoth he, 'her decision she hath made.

Now to battle I must go...

      And behind leave my lovely maid.

'But let not your heart weep,

Our bond shall remain deep.

                So long as you not forget me and I you,

Love together us shall keep!'

  "I shall save you the ending... lest I make you weep," the singer concluded, interrupting his own song.

  "Oh, I've heard it already," Drizzt replied. "After all, the Dark Bard's songs are sung from here to Calimport and from Baldur's Gate to the Dales..." The singer laughed and bowed gracefully, even from atop his horse. The tips of his pointed ears jutted out through his hair, much like Drizzt's own... except that the singer's hair was a deep honey-red, while the ranger's was a pure snow-white. Yet their skin was the same smooth, midnight, ebony hue that all drow elves shared.

  "My dear and noble ranger, I am flattered that you listen to my songs. And might I just add... it is truly good to see you," he said, with all the propriety and respect of one addressing a Waterdhavian noble. Ironically, it was Drizzt who was addressing a Waterdhavian noble... not the other way around. The ranger gave a gallant bow in return.

  "My dear and talented bard, how can I not listen to your songs? They are sung just about everywhere... and have even reached Icewind Dale. And it is good to see you as well, Sovann."

  Sovann Ker'sheaez smiled the type of smile that made the females in his audience blush whenever he was in a tavern.

  "I was just thinking about you the other day, Drizzt," the bard said. The ranger raised a pale eyebrow.

  "Oh?" he prodded.

  "Yes. I was thinking how I haven't seen you in a long time... and I was wondering what you were about. I see now that my answer is that, as usual, you are about hugging trees." Drizzt laughed. "Tell me, Drizzt... where are you headed?"

  "Silverymoon. And you? It's so odd for you to be so far from Waterdeep nowadays. I've heard the church has grown."

  "Oh, has it ever!" Sovann said, nodding. He rolled his eyes. "In fact, the church is why I am away from home now. Some little problems they are having concerning thieves, cats, and the shrine's treasury. What luck, though... I am heading towards Silverymoon as well. Would you care for a ride?"

  "I would be honored," Drizzt replied. "And thank you." He accepted the hand that Sovann held out to him, and gracefully, and with the bard's help, did the drow ranger mount up behind his unusual dark elven companion.

  "Onward, Firestorm! We've a bit of a ways to go... and not much daylight left," Sovann called. The noble steed snorted and moved into an easy canter.

  "Thieves, cats, and the treasury?" Drizzt asked.

  "Yes. Long story. The short version is that a thief-or thieves-has stuck his greedy fingers into the treasury for several weeks in a row, and every time he gets away with something, he leaves a cat behind."

  "A cat?"

  "Yes," Sovann said, and now he sounded somewhat irritated. "You know... four legs, claws, meows? Don't ask... I don't know anything more than what the message said, and that's all the message said. That's why I'm traveling all the way to Silverymoon, even with all the work I have in Waterdeep. It's a problem of some sort, and my priests can't deal with it..." Drizzt was silent for a moment.

   "...cats...?" he finally said incredulously. Despite himself, he began to laugh. Sovann shot him a dirty look over his shoulder.

   "Before my church is further humiliated in this conversation, let me change the topic," he sighed. "Why are you going to Silverymoon?"

   "Alustriel asked me for some information, some time ago, and it's about time I deliver it. I could have sent it, I suppose... but it's been a while since I've seen her anyway." Alustriel was the ruler of Silverymoon and a friend of Drizzt's. Some speculated that she was actually more than a friend, but that was more tavern gossip than anything.

  "Hmm. Well, I'm glad we ran into each other. It's been a wretchedly lonely journey."

   "Is that why you were calling out for all the orcs and goblins in the area to keep you company?" Drizzt asked sarcastically. "You were singing at the top of your lungs, out on the open road, on a well known trade route. Tell me, Sovann... do you value your life at all?" Sovann laughed. He possessed an easy, musical, and charming laugh that was nothing like the sinister, dark amusement of their dark elven kin. Indeed, as far as Drizzt was concerned, Sovann was the least drow-like drow he had ever met in his life, even including himself. That possibly had to do something with the fact that Sovann was only half-drow, by his father. His mother had been a wood elf of the Forest of Tethir. It might also have something to do with the fact that Sovann had been raised by neither drow nor wood elves... but by human parents.

  "Oh, come off it, Drizzt. What creature with any type of heart would strike down a clearly helpless, simple, good-hearted bard such as myself?" He looked over his shoulder as he asked this, and the ranger shot him a sarcastic look. Sovann chuckled again.

  "Why did you come alone, anyway? I find it strange that the Dragon ladies with allow you out of their line of sight," the ranger said. Sovann laughed yet again, this time at the reference to his female companions of the Dragon's Voice, the bard group that he himself headed.

  "You are not too far off the mark. Jing-wei and Starletta were not at all happy about it, but they had prior engagements and couldn't get away. Really, though, I should have brought my apprentice."

  "Your apprentice? I didn't know you had an apprentice. When did this happen?" Drizzt asked, surprised.

  "Well... Kantar's not actually my apprentice, and he gets insulted when I refer to him in that way," Sovann admitted with a boyish grin. "He's the newest member of the Dragon's Voice... he is a very talented bard. He was raised on Evermeet, and earned himself the honored title of elven minstrel. Kantar has the most amazing voice..."

   "I know little of Evermeet, but I have heard of their minstrels. Your apprentice must be very talented indeed. I'm surprised, though..."

  "At?"

  "Well, at the fact that he, having grown up on Evermeet, would have accepted you. I would think that he would have attacked you on sight."

  "Actually," Sovann said casually. He was smiling, but Drizzt couldn't see it. "I attacked him on sight."

  "You did? But... why?" Drizzt asked, surprised. "You're not the type to judge people at first glance..."

  "You remember our first meeting don't you?"

  "Of course. We attacked each other... thanks to our drow features."

  "Yes, well, in truth, it was the same with Kantar and myself." It took a moment for this to sink in.

  "I'm sorry... you lost me..." Drizzt said after a momentary silence. Sovann chuckled.

  "No, I haven't. You're on the right track, my friend. Kantar's mother was a moon elf... but his father was..."

  "You are a liar, Sovann!" Drizzt interrupted, his eyes going wide in shock anyway. "Any drow that shows his or her face on Evermeet will be summarily executed, no questions asked!"

  "I, above all people, know that well enough!" Sovann replied hotly, his voice taking on a strained edge. The subject of Evermeet was a sore spot for him. "Kantar's mother was a wizard... she kept his true heritage hidden. Everyone thought he was a moon elf. But when she died, the story changed, of course, and he came to Faerun. And now here he is..." His voice changed, going calm once more. "Had I known I would run into you, I would have brought him so he could meet you. It would do him a world of good... just as it did me." Drizzt grunted but chose not to further pursue the subject. Sovann, too, had spent all his life hiding his heritage from the prejudice of the surface world... until Drizzt had taught him otherwise.

  "The surface is getting crowded," Drizzt mused absently. Sovann, caught by surprise, burst into laughter a moment later. The ranger continued as if uninterrupted. "I had it all to myself... until Liriel showed up. Then of course you appeared. And now there is this new person... by Mielikki's grace... what is this world coming to?"

  "Well, in truth, it is Liriel and yourself that are invading. Kantar and I are natives of the surface," Sovann pointed out.

  "Yes, but, Liriel and I deserve to be here more, after what we suffered Down Below." The stallion, so quiet up to this point, suddenly snorted.

  "My thoughts exactly, Firestorm," Sovann agreed, nodding gravely. "Before I am forced to write a tear-jerking ballad about your childhood, Drizzt, let's hurry on to Silverymoon." The ranger chuckled as Firestorm burst into a hearty gallop, hooves thundering on the dirt road

   The small temple dedicated to the bardic god Finder Wyvernspur was little more than a tiny shrine with a few wooden pews, but it was well-kept and cozy, and smelled pleasantly of fresh flowers.

  The wooden doors, carved with Finder's harp symbol, were unlocked, and so Drizzt entered unchallenged. Paintings and sculptures decorated the entire of the temple, and a small but impressive crystal chandelier lit the main worship room brightly. Drizzt walked down the center aisle, looking about the temple with wide, curious eyes. He had seen Finder's church in Waterdeep, the beautiful and impressive Hall of Mirrors, and though Silverymooon's Church of Finder was much less grand, it also possessed its charm.

  Not that Drizzt frequented churches of any kind, even those of his own deity, who was most certainly not Finder Wyvernspur. The ivory unicorn pendant on a chain around his neck clearly showed his allegiance to Mielikki, the Lady of the Forest, but he was not the type of person to visit churches, sing in choirs, or even pray aloud. He believed Mielikki knew what was in his heart, and that was prayer enough.

  But Sovann was a devout follower of Finder and worshiped his deity in a different way than Drizzt. Of course, Sovann was not merely a bard... but a priest. More than that, he was one of the highest-ranking members of Finder's clergy... really second only to Finder's patron, a bard from the Heartlands of Faerûn. Sovann ran Finder's churches along the Sword Coast and in the North, and he was the presiding High Priest of the Hall of Mirrors. When the priests of all the Finderite temples along the Sword Coast had a problem, it was to Sovann they looked to for answers. That was exactly why the Dark Bard was now reclined comfortably on the front pew, looking down at something in his lap, while the presiding priest of the Silverymoon church paced in agitation before him, speaking in a heated manner.

  The middle-aged man paused in his tirade at Drizzt's approach, but after a faintly angry look-perhaps not directed at the ranger so much as at whatever he was complaining about-he continued speaking.

  "...and really, Father Ker'sheaez-"

  "Sovann," the drow bard corrected automatically.

  "Yes... er... Father Sovann-" And here Sovann rolled his eyes at Drizzt, but chose not to interrupt the man further, "-the coffer is nearly empty, and Lady Alustriel's guards have been no help whatsoever... and now what am I supposed to do with all these damned cats!" The Dark Bard was holding a beautiful black cat with stark yellow eyes and white boot-like markings on all but one of her legs. The cat purred in ecstasy, arching her back to encourage his absent, continual stroking

  "Yes, about the cats-" Sovann started.

  "The cats are driving me crazy!"

  "Speaking of your cats, there is a very hostile mother that hissed at me just outside," Drizzt said, motioning vaguely over his shoulder. The priest gave him an alarmed look.

  "What do you mean a mother?!" he cried.

  "Yes... she's very heavily along. I would imagine you will have kittens any day now... perhaps tonight, judging from her reaction to my presence," the ranger said stoically, nodding knowingly. The priest closed his eyes and groaned, muttering a desperate-sounding prayer to his god. Sovann shot Drizzt a partially-annoyed, partially-amused look that seemed to say, you're not helping any. The ranger shrugged innocently, as if to say, it's not my fault the cat is pregnant.

  A white-and-black female with blue eyes rubbed affectionately against Drizzt's leg, obviously seeking attention. The ranger absently picked her up in his arms, rubbing behind her ears, and she purred deliciously, squirming in obvious pleasure.

  "Listen, Darnel... you mentioned that new cats keep showing up every day... even on the days when the thief doesn't strike?" Sovann said. Darnel nodded, now looking more irritated than before.

  "Yes. I suspect that the people of Silverymoon have begun to consider this church to also be the new home for all stray cats. I think, when they find cats on the streets, they bring them here, and leave them on our doorstep. Maybe that damned pregnant one came in today. What does she look like?" he said, looking at Drizzt. The ranger blinked.

  "Oh... green eyes... white fur... unusually fine breeding for a stray," he said finally.

   "Well, then she is new, because I've never seen one like that here," Darnel said angrily. He scowled at one drow, then the other, as if the cat invasion were somehow a sinister plot of Lloth's clergy-Lloth being the evil goddess of the drow.

  The little female in his arms suddenly decided she didn't like Drizzt at all anymore, and jumped away, landing silently and stalking off. The ranger absently brushed at the fine hair she had left behind on his tunic. From within one of the rows of pews strolled a calico female, who upon spotting the drow immediately ran over to rub against his leg. Two more lovely ones sauntered down the center aisle and did the same. Doing his best to ignore the affectionate felines-and the mess of hair they were leaving all over his boots and the bottom half of his leggings-Drizzt watched Darnel begin his pacing again... and nearly smiled when the tormented priest tripped over a grey female that got in his way.

   Sovann was biting his lip, his face carefully blank, but his green eyes were alight with merry laughter. Despite the serious situation of the thief-and even the invasion of cats-the dark elves couldn't help but be amused at the absolute absurdity of it all.

  "Darnel, don't worry, we'll catch this thief," Sovann said after a moment. He rose, still holding the white-booted black cat in his arms. At his movement, though, about five cats that had originally been laying serenely beside him, or on top of his legs on the bench, suddenly scattered, running off with faintly annoyed hisses. The one in his arms didn't seem at all phased by his movements. Like a queen, she lay there peacefully, her tail twitching at times, her purring non-stop at his continued stroking.

  "But how, Father?" Darnel asked, his voice taking on a desperate, almost wailing quality.

  "Well, first I am going to have a chat with Alustriel and the captain of her guard. Then we'll see what sort of trap we can set for our mysterious feline friend. I did bring more gold for the coffer, so we do have bait to attract the thief," Sovann said calmly. Darnel nodded. He seemed a bit calmer, listening to the drow's words of wisdom. He also seemed relieved... he was probably very relieved that the High Priest was present to take over.

  Sovann started down the center aisle, moving for the door. When he neared, the three overly affectionate cats that had taken a liking to Drizzt scattered, and before they could come back, the ranger fell into step beside him. Darnel followed them to the door, where he paused.

   "For now, if the others are uncomfortable, then go ahead and tell them to get a room at any inn they wish... I'll cover the costs," Sovann continued. Darnel nodded once more. "I'm staying at the Golden Oak, so if you need me quickly, ask for me there."

  "Yes, Father," Darnel said, nodding for a third time. Sovann set his cat gently down on the last bench, and then walked out the door, Drizzt at his heels.

   "Relax, Darnel. Everything will be fine," the drow priest said over his shoulder. The human priest did not look particularly convinced, but he said nothing as the dark elves walked away from the temple.

  "The Golden Oak? I'm impressed," Drizzt said when they were out on the street. Silverymoon's impressive buildings, a study in various types of architecture, seem to be tall, serene forms sleeping in the silvery moonlight. The streets were fairly empty, and quiet, since it was somewhat late in the evening and most people were home with their families already.

  "I don't usually stay in such a gaudy place," Sovann replied, "but I am hoping to attract the attention of this damned thief." The bard eyed his companion for a moment. "My room is a suite... it has an extra bed that is, of course, vacant. Why don't you stay with me tonight?" Drizzt hesitated; the Golden Oak was a fine and expensive inn... which meant it was filled with luxuries, frilly extras, and other useless things that meant little to a ranger and indeed, made such people, used to the stark living of the wilderness, vaguely uncomfortable. Sovann read his expression.

  "It's okay. I won't make you use any of those foreign bath oils or anything that they have there. You're not going to walk out of there tomorrow morning smelling like the Shou Emperor's favorite concubine," he said dryly. Drizzt grinned.

  "Okay, if you promise so," he said. Sovann chuckled and lead the way to the highly expensive in

   Drizzt was awakened in the morning not by the sunlight seeping through the cracks of the window, or the sounds of the city below, but by two noises from within the suite itself. The first was a loud sneeze... and the second followed immediately after:

  "Gods-damned cat!"

  Drizzt allowed himself the luxury of lounging on the soft, feathery bed a moment longer, then with a sigh he rose and moved towards Sovann's room... from which more sneezing ensued. Running his fingers through his unruly white mane, the ranger paused at the doorway, knocking lightly on the slightly-ajar door.

  "Are you alright, Sovann?"

  "Yes, I'm fine... come in," the bard replied. Drizzt walked in, and immediately shivered slightly. He was wearing trousers, but his chest was bare, and Sovann's room was frigid... the bard had left all the windows open last night. Even now the fine silk curtains fluttered in the morning breeze.

  "Mrrrooow?" an inquisitive voice asked, and Drizzt looked down. The little black-coated cat with three white boots, the same that Sovann had been holding at the temple last night, gazed up at him with large yellow eyes.

  "I was having a dream about suffocating," Sovann started. The bard was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking irritated as he brushed fine white and black cat hair from his bare chest. "And then I wake up and find out I am suffocating... because that damned cat was sleeping on my face!" As if she knew she was being talked about, the female turned away from sniffing at Drizzt and leaped gracefully up onto the bed, wordlessly demanding a caressing from the bard. With a sigh Sovann complied.

  "How in the Nine Hells did you find me?" he asked the cat. Her only response was a purr. "And why?"

  "I think you've found yourself a new fan, Sovann," Drizzt said. The bard shot him a suffering look.

  "I like cats, but I've heard too much of them in the short time I've been in Silverymoon. This is getting ridiculous."

  "It's getting ridiculous? I thought it was ridiculous from the start," the ranger said. Sovann nodded in agreement and rose.

  "I have to go see Lady Alustriel today," he said absently as he moved across the spacious room, his feet making nary a sound on the plush carpet.

  "Do you have an appointment?"

  "Well, then, good luck." Sovann shot the ranger an annoyed look. Drizzt shrugged, as if to say it's not my fault. "You can't see Alustriel without getting through the army of advisors, servants, guards, and wizards that so fervently protect her. I'm sure that if she knew you were coming, she would see you immediately, but since she doesn't... her people will make certain to run you in circles all day... without letting her know you are there." Sovann muttered darkly under his breath as he searched through his travel pack for fresh clothes. Something seemed to occur to him a moment later, for he turned and eyed Drizzt-who had made himself comfortable in a large, oversized, velvet-lined chair and was watching the bard with faint amusement. The cat, for her part, had curled into a ball at the center of the bed and seemed to have no intentions of going anywhere.

  "You went and came awfully quickly last night, when you went to see her," Sovann pointed out. Drizzt cocked his head slightly to the side.

  "Yes," he agreed... but he did not volunteer anymore information. The bard glowered at him.

  "You had an appointment with her?"

"No."

  "Then... how did you get in so quickly?" A faintly sinister light lit up in the bard's emerald eyes. "Oh, don't tell me... through the window... right?" Drizzt regarded him silently, and somewhat coldly, for a moment.

   "If you weren't who you are, Sovann, I would let Guenhwyvar answer that for you." Sovann grinned. "At any rate... her people know me already, and know that she wants to be told immediately when I arrive at her doorstep."

   "My wonderful and dear ranger-" Sovann started now, his voice taking on the formality and accent of a Waterdhavian noble.

  "No," Drizzt interrupted. "I will not be used as a means merely to serve your ends. Nor will I abuse my friendship with Alustriel."

  "Come on. It's not like I am going there to waste her time. This is important. Maybe her people have found some clues or something. I really need to wrap this problem up as quickly as possible. I simply cannot waste time with senseless bureaucracy! I have a thousand things demanding my attention in Waterdeep. "

  "Sovann..." Drizzt sighed, "what do the priests of that church do with the money?"

  "Maintain the church, of course... and also, if any of the musicians in the church need a new instrument, or to repair one, the money comes out of the treasury. And to clothe and feed the priests that live there. And to support any struggling young artists that might need a temporary boost. And now, I suppose, they are spending a fortune in cat food!" At the last the bard shot an annoyed look at the black female, who opened one lazy yellow eye to regard him, then yawned and turned over onto her back.

  "And it comes from where?"

  "What?"

  "The money. It comes from... where?"

   "Donations, of course, from the lay worshipers. If any of the artists the church helps are successful, they, of their own accord, often give something of what they earned. Sometimes the church puts on concerts, or art exhibitions, and ask for donations at the entrance. And I also send them a monthly amount from the Hall of Mirrors, like I do with all the churches and shrines of Finder along the Sword Coast and the North." Drizzt grunted but was silent for a moment. "Why the questions about the money?" Before the ranger could say a word, Sovann seemed to have answered his own question. His green eyes widened in astonishment.

  "By the gods, this isn't the church of Shar! We don't do anything sinister with it, or even waste it on frivolous things! And every beggar from here to Calimport knows that they can find a definite meal and a warm place to sleep at any church of Finder!"

  "I didn't mean to suggest that you do anything sinister, or waste it-" Drizzt started. Sovann impatiently interrupted him.

  "Drizzt, I know your opinion on most religions, and granted that many of Faerun's numerous churches are really no better than the cat thief that plagues me now. But not all of them are bad, or dishonest, or frivolous, or dangerous. Not all the priests on Faerun are stumbling over themselves to gain the greatest favor of the gods, or to completely convert everyone to their faith and refuse to aid those that resist. Mielikki's church itself is one of the most honest, helpful, and well-run churches on Faerun... yet you will have nothing to do with even them. And knowing me, and knowing how I am, and knowing that I run Finder's church on this side of the continent... how can you possibly think my church is corrupt, or even ill run?"

  "I most certainly never meant to suggest that it was corrupt," the ranger said softly, calmly. "But tell me, Sovann... just how well do you know all of your subordinate priests?" Sovann seemed stunned by the question, then his eyes darkened with anger.

  "Because you are my friend, and I respect you more than anyone else I know... I will forget that you asked that," the bard said tightly. He stalked out of the room, clearly upset. Drizzt waited patiently, and a few moments later Sovann was back, now dressed in simple black slacks and a blue tunic. Simple... but elegant. He was clearly dressed in a decent way in case he did get in to see High Lady Alustriel. Sovann said nothing at all to the ranger, and so Drizzt rose and went to get dressed as well. When he came out of his room a white later, though... the bard was gone. Only the black cat was about, and she was now sitting on the luxurious white sofa in the front room, preening herself clean. She glanced at him only briefly, then went back to her careful toiletries.

  Drizzt shrugged to himself and left the room, calmly heading down to the tavern to see about breakfas

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