I Read What?!

Last time, the attempt to cure their new friend Clacker went awry. Mostly because the wizard was a fucking moron. But still, it's sad. Now what can they do?



Well, we won't know what they'll do this chapter, as in this chapter, we're visiting our villains again. Matron Malice is meeting with Jarlaxle. She's concerned, because she's heard rumors of unrest in Menzoberranzan. Jarlaxle, of course, isn't really forthcoming with what he knows, though he does remind her of an obvious fact: zombie Zak's been out for a while, with no real success.

Malice gets the subtext: her worries are justified. She kicks Jarlaxle out to go spy on her zombie ex-sex slave.

Meanwhile, Jarlaxle goes off to report to Matron Baenre. And the vibe here is VERY different than when we've seen Jarlaxle report to Malice earlier. Jarlaxle treats Malice like an employer. But Baenre is different. Is it simply because Baenre is so much more powerful? Or is it that other little fact that, as far as I remember, hasn't come up in this book so far?

Anyway, Baenre actually does seem pretty satisfied to hear that the spirit-wraith is on Drizzt's tail. She's a little shocked when Jarlaxle tells her that Drizzt has a pretty substantial lead. Malice hadn't told Jarlaxle this, but he'd read between the lines. Baenre decides to "trust" in Matron Malice.

I used scarequotes, because Menzoberranzan, but Baenre really does seem to be wishing Malice well here.

There's a mind-flayer in the room too. A dude by the name of El-viddenvelp. He's not really paying attention to the conversation in front of him. Instead, he's apparently sending some kind of message.

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We switch scenes now to Zaknafein. And well, he doesn't seem to be having a great time:

Old feelings stirred within the spirit-wraith, feelings of the kinship he once had known with Drizzt. New, savage emotions were quick to overwhelm them, though, as Matron Malice came into Zaknafein’s mind in a wild fury. The spirit-wraith burst through the door, swords drawn, and tore through the complex. A blanket flew into the air and came down in pieces as Zaknafein’s swords sliced across it a dozen times.

When the fit of rage had played itself out, Matron Malice’s monster settled back into a crouch to examine the situation.

Drizzt was not at home.

Poor guy. Anyway, Zak thinks that this camp is NOT a ruse though, so he's inclined to sit and wait. They'll be back. But Malice is impatient and sends him out into the caverns to hunt.

Unfortunately/fortunately, this is when Drizzt and company return to the cavern by a different route than Zak used. They immediately sense that something's wrong and are alarmed at the condition of the place when they go inside. Everything's been smashed, cut or otherwise destroyed in a fit of zombie rage. Drizzt notes the clean cuts in what had been his blanket. He recognizes the blades of a drow.

Belwar wants to wait and set up an ambush, but Drizzt isn't on board. The "sincere dread" in Drizzt's eyes (lavender of course) convinces Belwar to move on. They set out. Clacker, who'd been waiting in the doorway, comes along. Drizzt takes the rear, figuring that if his mother's agents should catch up to them, he'll be able to protect his friends.

So we reach a new region soon enough:

After several interminable days, the troupe came into a region of broken floors, jagged walls, and ceilings filled with stalactites that leered down at them like poised monsters. They closed in their ranks, needing the comfort of companionship. Despite the attention it might draw, Belwar took out his magically lighted brooch and pinned it on his leather jack. Even in the glow, the shadows thrown by sharp-edged mounds promised only peril.

Oh. This part. I was warned about this, even though I don't remember it. And indeed:

A form, slightly larger than Drizzt but obviously humanoid, drifted out around a nearby stalactite. Drizzt kicked off a stone to propel himself at it, drawing his other scimitar as he went. He knew his peril a moment later, for his enemy’s head resembled a four-tentacled octopus. Drizzt had never actually viewed such a creature before, but he knew what it was: an illithid, a mind flayer, the most evil and most feared monster in all the Underdark.

And indeed, the mind flayer strikes. It's not alone either. They take out Drizzt, and then get Belwar. Cracker seems to have more resilience, but it's not enough. The chapter ends with Clacker getting taken out too. Fucking illithids.