The Halfling’s Gem Read Free Page A

turned back to the room and took a step away. Just when he figured that the boy might have relaxed a bit, he spun back on him, nearly causing him to jump from his shoes.
    “Why are you still here?” Malchor demanded. “Be gone!”
    The door slammed even before the wizard had finished the command. Malchor laughed again, and the tension eased from his muscles as he moved back to his desk. Drizzt came up beside Wulfgar, the two looking at each other in amazement.
    “Let us be gone from this place,” Wulfgar said to Drizzt, and the drow could see that his friend was fighting a desire to spring over the desk and throttle the arrogant wizard on the spot.
    To a lesser degree, Drizzt shared those feelings, but he knew the tower and its occupants would be explained in time. “Our greetings, Malchor Harpell,” he said, his lavender eyes boring into the man. “Your actions, though, do not fit the description your cousin Harkle mantled upon you.”
    “I assure you that I am as Harkle described,” Malchor replied calmly. “And my welcome to you, Drizzt Do’Urden, and to you, Wulfgar, son of Beornegar. Rarely have I entertained such fine guests in my humble tower.” He bowed low to them to complete his gracious and diplomatic—if not entirely accurate—greeting.
    “The boy did nothing wrong,” Wulfgar snarled at him.
    “No, he has performed admirably,” Malchor agreed. “Ah, you fear for him?” The wizard took his measure of the huge barbarian, Wulfgar’s muscles still knotted in rage. “I assure you, the boy is treated well.”
    “Not by my eyes,” retorted Wulfgar.
    “He aspires to be a wizard,” Malchor explained, not ruffled by the barbarian’s scowl. “His father is a powerful land-owner and has employed me to guide the lad. The boy shows potential, a sharp mind, and a love for the arts. But understand, Wulfgar, that wizardry is not so very different from your own trade.”
    Wulfgar’s smirk showed a difference of opinion.
    “Discipline,” Malchor continued, undaunted. “For whatever we do in our lives, discipline and control over our own actions ultimately measure the level of our success. The boy has high aspirations and hints of power he cannot yet begin to understand. But if he cannot keep his thoughts silent for a single month, then I shan’t waste years of my time on him. Your companion understands.”
    Wulfgar looked to Drizzt, standing relaxed by his side.
    “I do understand,” Drizzt said to Wulfgar. “Malchor has put the youth on trial, a test of his abilities to follow commands and a revelation to the depth of his desires.”
    “I am forgiven?” the wizard asked them.
    “It is not important,” Wulfgar grunted. “We have not come to fight the battles of a boy.”
    “Of course,” said Malchor. “Your business presses; Harkle has told me. Go back down to the stables and wash. The boy is setting supper. He shall come for you when it is time to eat.”
    “Does he have a name?” Wulfgar said with obvious sarcasm.
    “None that he has yet earned,” Malchor replied curtly.

    Though he was anxious to be back on the road, Wulfgar could not deny the splendor of the table of Malchor Harpell. He and Drizzt feasted well, knowing this to be, most probably,their last fine meal for many days.
    “You shall spend the night,” Malchor said to them after they had finished eating. “A soft bed would do you well,” he argued against Wulfgar’s disgruntled look. “And an early start, I promise.”
    “We will stay, and thank you,” Drizzt replied. “Surely this tower will do us better than the hard ground outside.”
    “Excellent,” said Malchor. “Come along, then, I have some items which should aid your quest.” He led them out of the room and back down the decline of the corridor to the lower levels of the structure. As they walked, Malchor told his guests of the tower’s formation and features. Finally they turned down one of the darkened side passages and passed through a heavy