The Crystal Shard(The Icewind Dale Trilogy 1)(107)

"Got 'imself into trouble again, or I'm a bearded gnome," the dwarf snickered to Wulfgar and Drizzt.

"Well met," said Drizzt. "But haven't we already said our farewells?"

"I decided that I could not let Bruenor run off into trouble without me being there to pull him out," Regis puffed, trying to catch his breath.

"Yer cumin'?" groaned Bruenor. "Ye've brought no supplies, fool halfling!"

"I don't eat much," Regis pleaded, an edge of desperation creeping into his voice.

"Bah! Ye eat more'n the three of us together! But no mind, we'll let ye tag along anyway."

The halfling's face brightened visibly, and Drizzt suspected that the dwarf's guess about trouble wasn't far off the mark.

"The four of us, then!" proclaimed Wulfgar. "One to represent each of the four common races: Bruenor for the dwarves, Regis for the halflings, Drizzt Do'Urden for the elves, and myself for the humans. A fitting troupe!"

"I hardly think the elves would choose a drow to represent them," Drizzt remarked.

Bruenor snorted. "Ye think the halflings'd choose Rumblebelly for their champion?"

"You're crazy, dwarf," retorted Regis.

Bruenor dropped his shield to the ground, leaped around Wulfgar, and squared off before Regis. His face contorted in mock rage as he grasped Regis by the shoulders and hoisted him into the air.

"That's right, Rumblebelly!" Bruenor cried wildly. "Crazy I am! An' never cross one what's crazier than yerself!"

Drizzt and Wulfgar looked at each other with knowing smiles.

It was indeed going to be an interesting adventure.

And with the rising sun at their back, their shadows standing long before them, they started off on their way.

To find Mithril Hall.