I Read What?!

So last time, Catti-brie called Drizzt out. A much needed conversation and about time. Now Drizzt has some thinking to do.



I don't mind the villains, but barring any sudden power upheavals, the villain sections are basically just filler at this point. For once, Drizzt actually has a plot arc that I'm interested in. But it is what it is.

So we're with LaValle and Pook. LaValle is presenting Guen's statue to him. He doesn't actually claim to have created it, but hedges when Pook asks where he got it. He's giving it to Pook with all of his loyalty.

Pook is, of course, delighted. He wonders if he needs to obtain a cage, not quite understanding how this whole magic mastery thing works. LaValle explains though, and Pook summons her.

(Guen still uses "it" pronouns in this book, but both Salvatore and I agree that she's female, damnit. So we're going with that.)

Poor Guen is all rested up after a few weeks on the astral plane, but now she's realized that things have changed. Pook asks what he can do with her, and LaValle tells him basically: whatever he wants. Pook really likes the thought of Guen killing for him.

And indeed, he intends to have her kill Regis.

...okay, that's a pretty good set up, Salvatore. I rescind my complaint.

-

So Regis is brought before Pook. He's exhausted, but determined to face torture and/or death with dignity. He even manages a wise crack or two, before calmly telling Pook that he took the pendant, got caught, and if Pook think that deserves death, then kill him.

Pook is planning to do just that, calling in Guen. (Regis uses male pronouns, but I blame the editing for that.)

Regis is pained to see "the wondrous panther under the command of one as vile as Pook." He thinks fast, pointing to Pook, saying that he commands the evil one who took Guen from her real master. Pook is delighted, believing that Regis is just trying to confuse her. LaValle is a little more uneasy.

So's Regis though, when Guen shows no signs of recognizing him. She jumps at him, buries him under her, and then fades away with Regis.

Hahah, clever girl. And nice call back, Mr. Salvatore. I like when the third book in a trilogy calls back to the first one. Guen's saved Regis like that before.

Pook is disappointed at the lack of blood, and when he sees LaValle's face, he realizes that Regis and Guen knew each other. She took him away. LaValle, for his part, is dumbfounded. Guen is supposed to obey the master of the figurine. She's not supposed to have other loyalties.

Pook's not as stupid as his name though, and he quickly puts things together when LaValle admits the figurine came from Entreri. He plans to build a cage for Guen, then have LaValle call her back, so he can teach her discipline.

Pook also has to figure out how to deal with Entreri. The pendat is out, so he'll resort to Rassiter instead.

-

And indeed, we see Pook go to Rassiter. Rassiter likes the thought of killing Entreri, but Pook is sure that's beyond his power. Also, he knows Entreri has a network and doesn't want a guild war. Honestly, the whole idea of Entreri having a network doesn't really suit his style. But this is the early installment, and certain things haven't shaken out yet.

Anyway, Pook considers using the pendant on Rassiter, but forgoes it, as enchanted people never perform as well as when they're acting of their own desires. He orders Rassiter to find and eliminate Regis's friends as they come into the city. Pook is squeamish at Rassiter's enthusiasm.

The chapter ends here. Still filler, except the bit with Guen and Regis. But the Guen and Regis bit makes up for it. Still, I'm happy to peek ahead and see Drizzt and company mentioned in the beginning of the next chapter.