Archmage by R. A. Salvatore Read Free Book Online Page B

remain one of us, and so, always welcomed wherever we are, with open arms and wide smiles, and kisses from me—so many kisses!”
    “I tried to be worthy of the Companions of the . . .” Regis started to say, but his voice trailed away.
    It was becoming very real to him, then, Catti-brie knew. He was leaving them, and the weight of that was only now truly descending on his small shoulders.
    “Worthy? You are a hero, in every sense of the word. You saved Wulfgar’s life in the tunnels south of Mithral Hall. Twice!”
    “After he came for me.”
    “It is what we do for each other,” said Catti-brie. “I only wish I could accompany you to Aglarond.”
    Regis nodded and swallowed hard, and forced Catti-brie to look him in the eye, his expression very serious, which confused the woman.
    “Wulfgar has agreed to come with me,” Regis explained.
    For a moment, Catti-brie seemed unbalanced, as if she would simply fall off the side of her magically summoned mount. She steadied herself quickly, though, and managed a nod.
    “He has agreed to stand beside me in my journeys,” Regis explained. “Perhaps he feels as if our trials together in the Underdark . . .”
    “He owes you a life debt.”
    “One for which I would never demand payment.”
    “He is happy to repay you. Likely, he is happy to find the open road and more conquests . . . of various natures.”
    “Say nothing, I beg you,” Regis was quick to reply, as if Catti-brie’s remarks had reminded him of something. “Well, we will go to Drizzt and Bruenor together, but for now, it is our secret. Agreed?”
    “Why?”
    Regis motioned forward with his chin, leading Catti-brie’s gaze to Wulfgar, and to the Knight-Commander of Silverymoon.
    “Aleina Brightlance is quite smitten with him,” Regis explained.
    “Perhaps she will go with you.”
    Regis was shaking his head before Catti-brie finished the thought. “Her duty is to Silverymoon. There are rumors that she will be given command of Sundabar when it is rebuilt.”
    “You have chosen love,” the woman reminded. “Perhaps she . . .”
    “I do not think Wulfgar would want her to come,” Regis explained. “He’s . . . different now. I don’t believe he desires a family—he already had one, in his previous life. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren— he knew them all. He outlived many of them. He had already mentioned to me that his biggest regret in the road I have chosen is that he’ll not travel with you back through Longsaddle.”
    “Penelope Harpell,” Catti-brie said with a laugh.
    Regis shrugged. “Our secret?”
    “One we have to share soon with Drizzt and Bruenor, that we can all properly prepare to say good-bye.”
    The halfling nodded and turned his focus once more on the road ahead. He had to do that, Catti-brie knew, to make sure she didn’t see the tears that were welling in his eyes.

    Later that day, the great marching force split, with the elves turning east to the River Surbrin, where their boats waited to ferry them and the thousands from Citadel Adbar across to the Glimmerwood.
    King Emerus and his charges of Citadel Felbarr could have gone that way as well, but he opted to march farther south, to the Surbrin Bridge, beside his friend Bruenor so they could further discuss this great adventure that awaited the dwarves in the most ancient Delzoun home of all.
    That very night, Catti-brie and Regis found Bruenor, Wulfgar, and Drizzt alone by a fire. They took their seats beside their friends, with food and drink all about.
    “Call in Guenhwyvar,” Regis bade Drizzt.
    The drow looked at him curiously, for it seemed a strange request. “Ain’t none in the world to attack the army about us,” Bruenor said. But Regis looked to Drizzt and nodded, and Catti-brie did, too, and so the drow pulled out his onyx figurine and brought in the sixth member of the Companions of the Hall.
    All gathered then, Regis and Wulfgar announced their plans, and Bruenor’s cry of dismay