Friday, May 22, 2020

Treatment Plan for Homeless Veterans - 677 Words

Homeless veterans Homeless veterans seem to be a defenseless population by definition, as they are a subgroup in the population that is likely to have health problems or worse health challenges because of exposure to risks unlike the rest of the population. Many research undertaken to differentiate health problems linked to homeless veterans. They are vulnerable to co-morbidity of abuse of substances, mental, physical health infections and disorders than the common homeless population. Their inability to get or refuse treatment worsens their exposure to complications. Homeless veterans treatment plan The homeless veteran seem to be an extensive risk of a poor quality life because of stress, depression , nervous social relationships, poor accessibility to health care coupled with transient living situations. Almost half of homeless veterans population experiences mental illness with a large percentage addicted to alcohol and drugs. Half of homeless veterans were in the Vietnam War, which is a pointer to the ages of the chronic veterans who are homeless to be 55 and 70 (Sweet, 2007). The group faces typical mental, physical ailments and malnutrition associated with insufficient self-care and basic needs fulfillment. The chronic diseases and infections among the homeless veterans are also linked to aging. Treatment plans Community nurses have a task of conducting interviews to citizens and location of homeless veterans, to establish their needs. The nurse need toShow MoreRelatedTheu.s. Housing And Urban Development Essay1461 Words   |  6 Pagesfor their men and women in the military can be seen in the number of homeless veterans. In fact, the U.S. Housing and Urban development (H.U.D.) reports there are over 39,000 members of the armed services living on the street (2016). The main causes of homelessness among veterans include lack of housing, jobs, and access to healthcare (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, n.d.). Veterans run a higher risk of becoming homeless if they are: suffering from a mental illness or substance abuse problem;Read MoreThe Homelessness And Substance Abuse1436 Words   |  6 PagesAbuse and Mental Health Administration (2011), research conducted in the past five years indicates that about 50% of those who are homeless have co-occurring substance abuse problems. Along with co-occurring substance abuse problems, there continues to be other problems such as treatment access to those who are homeless. In this paper we will explore research on the homeless population in relation to substance abuse, and effective interventions on an individual level. Diversity: Homelessness and substanceRead MoreCurrent Level Of Care : A Brief Description Of Your Field Placement Essay1509 Words   |  7 PagesTransitional Housing to Homeless veterans, treatment to homeless veterans who are suffering from co-occurring disorders, a stable setting for dual diagnosed veterans to learn life skills, money management, assisting with employment and permanent housing. †¢ Services Provided to the Community: The Community Integration Program exists to promote housing and employment stability among low-income veterans and their families. Our program offers a supportive environment for veterans and their families toRead MoreUse Of Competency Of A Nurse1348 Words   |  6 PagesQuality of Veteran’s Care Veteran care plans and continuity of care should be customized based on individual needs and values. The information about care and availability of resources should be clearly communicated and shared with Veterans to ensure the quality of care. To bring quality in care and to make the nursing profession unique and valuable, the nurses should possess certain competencies and pursue continuous education in their field to be more responsive to Veterans’ needs (Health ProfessionRead MorePost Deployment For Military Veterans Essay1491 Words   |  6 Pagesand care and get hit with the reality of poor care from the Veteran Health Administration and Department of Defense. T. Stecker, J. Fortney, F. Hamilton, and I. Ajzen, 2007, address that mental health symptoms have the likelihood to increase within post deployment for military veterans, especially for the ones who have seen combat. An estimated quarter of recent war veterans who are currently receiving care in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System have reported mental healthRead MoreEvolution Of Warfare : A Controversial Topic1264 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough with more deadly technology comes more social and political repercussions. Some discoveries during wartime has been Penicillin which has been estimated to have saved two hundred million or more lives since its discovery. Because of war we have treatments for brain traumas such as PTS (Post traumatic stress disorder). War is a necessary evil that just has to happen. Advances In Weapons Technology In 1860 during the American civil war, americans used rifles such as the Springfield rifle and theRead MoreIntegrated Care Policy Proposal : Current Level Essay1396 Words   |  6 Pagesthree integrated care agency that provides an array of services to homeless veterans who are dual diagnosed. The following is a list of services that the agency provides: transitional housing for homeless veterans, treatment to homeless veterans who are suffering from co-occurring disorders, a stable setting for dual diagnosed veterans to learn life skills, money management, assisting with employment and permanent housing. Veterans have a tough time adjusting to civilian life so services that theRead MoreThe Legacy Of Valor Doors Foundation1469 Words   |  6 Pagesproper support and training our Veterans can open that door of valor that was closed due to various circumstances which include; lost identity outside the military. Valor Doors Foundation is a place where veterans choose a different future and where their past doesn t define them—it only helps them to relate with other Veterans. In 2015, It is estimated that 47,725 veterans were homeless on a single night. Insert hook or grab appeal statistics Why We Believe Veterans Are Suffering? †¢ Lost a senseRead MoreThe Problem Of Being Homeless1006 Words   |  5 PagesThere is not one person who is exactly alike. As people grow up and start to learn who they are they start to make their own choices. Sometimes people choose to be homeless, and sometimes they can’t make ends meet to feed their family so they are forced to live on the streets. Not every homeless you meet wants to be there but sometimes that’s the only choice they have left. Trying to find work is not always the possible. Sometimes people have the knowledge to go to school but they aren’t able toRead MoreThe Link Between Homelessness And Mental Health983 Words   |  4 PagesWhat’s the issue? The lack of mental health services available to the mentally-ill and the deinstitutionalization of mental health hospitals have created a public health concern. These issues along with a failed continuum of care plans and a lack of community mental health services have been major contributing factors to homelessness. In addition, the strict guidelines for psychiatric hospitalization are critical when analyzing homelessness. In many cases, only the critically ill are meeting clinical

Friday, May 8, 2020

The Hare Krishna Movement Essay - 1682 Words

The Hare Krishna Movement The Hare Krishna movement can be described by using Ninian Smarts six dimensions of religion. This is a series of six different dimensions that are present in any religion. They are doctrinal, ethical, mythical, experiential, ritual, and social. Each dimension is different, but is a necessary part of religion. In this report I will discuss how the Hare Krishna movement falls into these categories, but first allow me to provide some background information. Hare Krishna is a relatively new eastern religion founded on the backbone of Hindu teachings. It is referred to in some instances as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness denoted ISKCON. The Hare Krishna movement dates back to ancient†¦show more content†¦So what exactly is this movement classified as? I would classify this religion as firstly an eastern religion even though it has its meager beginnings in the US. And secondly I would classify the Hare Krishna movement as a hybrid cultural/universal religion. The Goals of ISKCON are fairly simple. When the Hare Krishna Movement was founded in 1966, AC Bhaktivedanta set forth seven points that form the backbone of the movement. - To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large, and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life, in order to check the imbalance of values in life, and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. - To propagate conciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. - To bring the members of society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna). - To teach and encourage the sankirtan movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. - To erect for the members and for society at large holy places of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna. - To bring members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, moreShow MoreRelatedThe Movement Of Indi The Struggle Of The Power Left A Young Iskcon Shaken1448 Words   |  6 Pageschallenges stemmed from Prabhupada’s death in 1977, which â€Å"left a young ISKCON shaken†. Although the movement was growing rapidly, it still relied heavily on the charismatic authority of Prabhupada, and his death created deep uncertainties within the organization’s leadership. As the organization scrambled to fill the void in institutional power left by its founder, there was a significant â€Å"movement of Indians into local positions of power, which had a [stabilizing influence on] many of the temple-levelRead MoreBuddhism and Hinduism in America Essay907 Words   |  4 Pagesnow exist along side many others in America. ISKCON, a form of Hinduism, and Zen, a form of Buddhism, are two such groups. All Indian movements have always had a charismatic leader associated with them. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was no different. Born Abhay Charan De 1896-1977 was the founder and spiritual master of ISKCON, International Society of Krishna Consciousness. He was given this mission as a youth from his spiritual Visnuite leader upon his death. He was a successful businessmanRead MoreUtopia And Dystopia By Thomas More1472 Words   |  6 Pages The aspect of personal utopia is evident in Hare Krishna. This is movement which was quite distinct from other Hinduism strains. The movement, which began in the 16th century in Bengal, stresses more on the worship of God, Krishna. The members of this movement were required to always chant the name of God for the benefit of everyone. According to Sreenivasan, â€Å"Married Couples in the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishna) were only to have sexual relations in order to procreateRead MoreAssess the Sociological Ex planations for the Growth of New Religious Movements.1280 Words   |  6 PagesAssess the sociological explanations for the growth of new religious movements. By: Amy Rashid Over the years, there has been a growth of new religious movements in the society. This growth can be explained in terms of why people chose to join the movements or in terms of wider social changes. Hence, in this essay, I shall discuss several sociological explanations for this occurrence. Firstly, Steve Bruce (1995, 1996) attributes the development of a range of religious institutions, includingRead More buddhism Essay1223 Words   |  5 Pageswas not politically activated until it was mistreated (Brittanica ninety-two), quot;the Buddhists have been divided into two groups. There is the moderate group that was led by Thich Tri Quang, that claimed political neutrality, but any of their movements for peace were seen as a weakness in the face of communism by the government of Saigon. And there are the militant Buddhists, who support upheavals. One such incident of upheaval was in 1963 when quot; the government (of Vietnam) forbade the flyingRead MoreHinduism Temple Visit Personal Experience Reflection2956 Words   |  12 Pagesa few years ago. I remember you (Dr. Maxwell) mentioning that the hippie movement had some parallels to Hinduism. The musical that I did was ˆHAiR! In this musical myself and the tribe/cast members started a song right before the end of t he first act. The lyrics read Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Thinking and looking at these lyrics it has Krishna and Rama in this chant. The gods name is Rama. Im not sure what this meansRead MoreModern Gurus : Prabhupada And Osho1971 Words   |  8 Pagesremaining ideas, and even creating new sects of Hinduism. Two modern gurus that showed this influence are A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Osho, formerly known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Prabhupada - the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - and Osho - who could be critically thought of as Hinduism’s version of Benny Hinn - can be considered both very different, and similar. They preach the same religion, and in truth taught many of the same philosophies, but have someRead MoreReligious Cults Being Manipulative, Abusive And Exploitative Exploitive1380 Words   |  6 Pagescast spells. This causes a profound deal of manipulation amongst individuals that are quite isolated. Jim Jones manipulates his members and takes them to a place where they have no communication or opportunities. Secondly, the religious cult the movement for the restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, also continues to be an example of a cult that is perished in a horrifying fire and a group suicide. This cult mentally manipulated the group and was on the mission to spread the Virgin Mary’sRead MoreSocial Reforms and Movement During 19th Century in India6013 Words   |  25 Pages 2ND SEM, 36 INDEX:- 1. INTRODUCTION 2. BRAHMO SAMAJ 3. ARYA SAMAJ 4. THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 5. YOUNG BENGAL MOVEMENT 6. RAMA KRISHNA MOVEMENT 7. CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION Socio-Religious Reform Movements in India were part of eighteenth century and twentieth-century India. During this time, on one side, India was suffering from stagnating traditional culture and society at very low ebb; while on theRead MoreSocial Reforms and Movement During 19th Century in India6024 Words   |  25 Pages 2ND SEM, 36 INDEX:- 1. INTRODUCTION 2. BRAHMO SAMAJ 3. ARYA SAMAJ 4. THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 5. YOUNG BENGAL MOVEMENT 6. RAMA KRISHNA MOVEMENT 7. CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION Socio-Religious Reform Movements in India were part of eighteenth century and twentieth-century India. During this time, on one side, India was suffering from stagnating traditional culture and society at very low ebb; while on the

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Streams of Silver 9. There is No Honor Free Essays

â€Å"Why do you approach the city before the light of dawn?† the Nightkeeper of the North Gate asked the emissary for the merchant caravan that had pulled up outside Luskan’s wall. Jierdan, in his post beside the Nightkeeper, watched with special interest, certain that this troupe had come from Ten-Towns. â€Å"We would not impose upon the regulations of the city if our business were not urgent,† answered the spokesman. We will write a custom essay sample on Streams of Silver 9. There is No Honor or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"We have not rested for two days.† Another man emerged from the cluster of wagons, a body limp across his shoulders. â€Å"Murdered on the road,† explained the spokesman. â€Å"And another of the party taken. Catti-brie, daughter of Bruenor Battlehammer himself!† â€Å"A dwarf-maid?† Jierdan blurted out, suspecting otherwise, but masking his excitement for fear that it might implicate him. â€Å"Nay, no dwarf. A woman,† lamented the spokeman. â€Å"Fairest in all the dale, maybe in all the north. The dwarf took her in as an orphaned child and claimed her as his own.† â€Å"Orcs?† asked the Nightkeeper, more concerned with potential hazards on the road than with the fate of a single woman. â€Å"This was not the work of orcs,† replied the spokesman. â€Å"Stealth and cunning took Catti-brie from us and killed the driver. We did not even discover the foul deed until the next morn.† Jierdan needed no further information, not even a more complete description of Catti-brie, to put the pieces together. Her connection to Bruenor explained Entreri’s interest in her. Jierdan looked to the eastern horizon and the first rays of the coming dawn, anxious to be cleared of his duties on the wall so that he could go report his findings to Dendybar. This little piece of news should help to alleviate the mottled wizard’s anger at him for losing the drow’s trail on the docks. * * * â€Å"He has not found them?† Dendybar hissed at Sydney. â€Å"He has found nothing but a cold trail,† the younger mage replied. â€Å"If they are on the docks yet, they are well disguised.† Dendybar paused to consider his apprentice’s report. Something was out of place with this scenario. Four distinctive characters simply could not have vanished. â€Å"Have you learned anything of the assassin, then, or of his companion?† â€Å"The vagabonds in the alleys fear him. Even the ruffians give him a respectfully wide berth.† â€Å"So our friend is known among the bowel-dwellers,† Dendybar mused. â€Å"A hired killer, I would guess,† reasoned Sydney. â€Å"Probably from the south – Waterdeep, perhaps, though we should have heard more of him if that were the case. Perhaps even farther south, from the lands beyond our vision.† â€Å"Interesting,† replied Dendybar, trying to formulate some theory to satisfy all the variables. â€Å"And the girl?† Sydney shrugged. â€Å"I do not believe that she follows him willingly, though she has made no move to be free of him. And when you saw him in Morkai’s vision, he was riding alone.† â€Å"He acquired her,† came an unexpected reply from the doorway. Jierdan entered the room. â€Å"What? Unannounced?† sneered Dendybar. â€Å"I have news – it could not wait,† Jierdan replied boldly. â€Å"Have they left the city?† Sydney prompted, voicing her suspicions to heighten the anger she read on the mottled wizard’s pallid face. Sydney well understood the dangers and the difficulties of the docks, and almost pitied Jierdan for incurring the wrath of the merciless Dendybar in a situation beyond his control. But Jierdan remained her competition for the mottled wizard’s favor, and she wouldn’t let sympathy stand in the way of her ambitions. â€Å"No,† Jierdan snapped at her. â€Å"My news does not concern the drow’s party.† He looked back to Dendybar. â€Å"A caravan arrived in Luskan today – in search of the woman.† â€Å"Who is she?† asked Dendybar, suddenly very interested and forgetting his anger at the intrusion. â€Å"The adopted daughter of Bruenor Battlehamer,† Jierdan replied. â€Å"Cat – â€Å" â€Å"Catti-brie! Of course!† hissed Dendybar, himself familiar with most of the prominent people in Ten-Towns. â€Å"I should have guessed!† He turned to Sydney. â€Å"My respect for our mysterious rider grows each day. Find him and bring him back to me!† Sydney nodded, though she feared that Dendybar’s request would prove more difficult than the mottled wizard believed, probably even beyond her skills altogether. She spent that night, until the early hours of the following morning, searching the alleyways and meeting places of the dockside area. But even using her contacts on the docks and all the magical tricks at her disposal, she found no sign of Entreri and Catti-brie, and no one willing or able to pass along any information that might help her in her search. Tired and frustrated, she returned to the Hosttower the next day, passing the corridor to Dendybar’s room, even though he had ordered her to report to him directly upon her return. Sydney was in no mood to listen to the mottled wizard’s ranting about her failure. She entered her small room, just off the main trunk of the Hosttower on the northern branch, below the rooms of the Master of the North Spire, and bolted the doors, further sealing them against unwelcomed intrusion with a magical spell. She had barely fallen into her bed when the surface of her coveted scrying mirror began to swirl and glow. â€Å"Damn you, Dendybar,† she growled, assuming that the disturbance was her master’s doing. Dragging her weary body to the mirror, she stared deeply into it, attuning her mind to the swirl to bring the image clearer. It was not Dendybar that she faced, to her relief, but a wizard from a distant town, a would-be suitor that the passionless Sydney kept dangling by a thread of hope so that she could manipulate him as she needed. â€Å"Greetings, fair Sydney,† the mage said. â€Å"I pray I did not disturb your sleep, but I have exciting news!† Normally, Sydney would have tactfully listened to the mage, feigned interest in the story, and politely excused herself from the encounter. But now, with Dendybar’s pressing demands lying squarely across her shoulders, she had no patience for distractions. â€Å"This is not the time!† she snapped. The mage, so caught up in his own news, seemed not to notice her definitive tone. â€Å"The most marvelous thing has happened in our town,† he rambled. â€Å"Harkle!† Sydney cried to break his babbling momentum. The mage halted, crestfallen. â€Å"But, Sydney,† he said. â€Å"Another time,† she insisted. â€Å"But how often in this day does one actually see and speak with a drow elf?† Harkle persisted. â€Å"I cannot – † Sydney stopped short, digesting Harkle’s last words. â€Å"A drow elf?† she stammered. â€Å"Yes,† Harkle beamed proudly, thrilled that his news had apparently impressed his beloved Sydney. â€Å"Drizzt Do’Urden, by name. He left Longsaddle just two days ago. I would have told you earlier, but the mansion has just been astir about the whole thing!† â€Å"Tell me more, dear Harkle,† Sydney purred enticingly. â€Å"Do tell me everything.† * * * â€Å"I am in need of information.† Whisper froze at the sound of the unexpected voice, guessing the speaker immediately. She knew that he was in town, and knew, too, that he was the only one who could have slipped through her defenses to get into her secret chambers. â€Å"Information,† Entreri said again, moving out from the shadows behind a dressing screen. Whisper slid the jar of healing unguent into her pocket and took a good measure of the man. Rumors spoke of him as the deadliest of assassins, and she, all too familiar with killers, knew at once that the rumors rang with truth. She sensed Entreri’s power, and the easy coordination of his movements. â€Å"Men do not come to my room uninvited,† she warned bravely. Entreri moved to a better vantage point to study the bold woman. He had heard of her as well, a survivor of the rough streets, beautiful and deadly. But apparently Whisper had lost an encounter. Her nose was broken and disjointed, splayed across her cheek. Whisper understood the scrutiny. She squared her shoulders and threw her head back proudly. â€Å"An unfortunate accident,† she hissed. â€Å"It is not my concern,† Entreri came back. â€Å"I have come for information.† Whisper turned away to go about her routine, trying to appear unbothered. â€Å"My price is high,† she said coolly. She turned back to Entreri, the intense but frighteningly calm look on his face telling her beyond doubt that her life would be the only reward for cooperation. â€Å"I seek four companions,† said Entreri. â€Å"A dwarf, a drow, a young man, and a halfling.† Whisper was unused to such situations. No crossbows supported her now, no bodyguards waited for her signal behind a nearby secret door. She tried to remain calm, but Entreri knew the depth of her fear. She chuckled and pointed to her broken nose. â€Å"I have met your dwarf, and your drow, Artemis Entreri.† She emphasized his name as she spoke it, hoping that her recognition would put him back on the defensive. â€Å"Where are they?† Entreri asked, still in control. â€Å"And what did they request of you?† Whisper shrugged. â€Å"If they remain in Luskan, I do not know where. Most probably they are gone; the dwarf has a map of the northland.† Entreri considered the words. â€Å"Your reputation speaks more highly of you,† he said sarcastically. â€Å"You accept such a wound and let them slip through your grasp?† Whisper’s eyes narrowed in anger. â€Å"I choose my fights carefully,† she hissed. â€Å"The four are too dangerous for actions of frivolous vengeance. Let them go where they will. I want no business with them again.† Entreri’s calm visage sagged a bit. He had already been to the Cutlass and heard of Wulfgar’s exploits. And now this. A woman like Whisper was not easily cowed. Perhaps he should indeed re-evaluate the strength of his opponents. â€Å"Fearless is the dwarf,† Whisper offered, sensing his dismay and taking pleasure in furthering his discomfort. â€Å"And ware the drow, Artemis Entreri,† she hissed pointedly, attempting to relegate him to a similar level of respect for the companions with the grimness of her tone. â€Å"He walks in shadows that we cannot see, and strikes from the darkness. He conjures a demon in the form of a great cat and – â€Å" Entreri turned and started away, having no intention of allowing Whisper to gain any more of an advantage. Reveling in her victory, Whisper couldn’t resist the temptation to throw one final dart. â€Å"Men do not come to my room uninvited,† she said again. Entreri passed into an adjoining room and Whisper heard the door to the alley close. â€Å"I choose my fights carefully,† she whispered to the emptiness of the room, regaining a measure of her pride with the threat. She turned back to a small dressing table and took out the jar of unguent, quite pleased with herself. She examined her wound in the table’s mirror. Not too bad. The salve would erase it as it had erased so many scars from the trials of her profession. She understood her stupidity when she saw the shadow slip past her reflection in the mirror, and felt the brush of air at her back. Her business allowed no tolerance for errors, and offered no second chance. For the first and last time in her life, Whisper had let her pride rise above her judgment. A final groan escaped her as the jeweled dagger sunk deeply into her back. â€Å"I, too, choose my fights with care,† Entreri whispered into her ear. * * * The next morning found Entreri outside a place he did not want to enter: the Hosttower of the Arcane. He knew that he was running out of options. Convinced now that the companions had long since left Luskan, the assassin needed some magical assistance to heat up the trail again. It had taken him nearly two years to sniff out the halfling in Ten-Towns, and his patience was wearing thin. Catti-brie reluctantly but obediently at his side, he approached the structure, and was promptly escorted to Dendybar’s audience hall, where the mottled wizard and Sydney waited to greet him. â€Å"They have left the city,† Entreri said bluntly, before any exchange of greetings. Dendybar smiled to show Entreri that he had the upper hand this time. â€Å"As long as a week ago,† he replied calmly. â€Å"And you know where they are,† Entreri reasoned. Dendybar nodded, the smile still curling into his hollow cheeks. The assassin didn’t enjoy the game. He spent a long moment measuring his counterpart, searching for some hint of the wizard’s intentions. Dendybar did likewise, still very much interested in an alliance with the formidable killer – but only on favorable terms. â€Å"The price of the information?† Entreri asked. â€Å"I do not even know your name,† was Dendybar’s reply. Fair enough, the assassin thought. He bowed low. â€Å"Artemis Entreri,† he said, confident enough to speak truthfully. â€Å"And why do you seek the companions, carrying the dwarf’s daughter in tow?† Dendybar pressed, playing his hand out to give the cocky assassin something to worry about. â€Å"That is my own care,† hissed Entreri, the narrowing of his eyes the only indication that Dendybar’s knowledge had perturbed him. â€Å"It is mine, as well, if we are to be allies in this!† shouted Dendybar, rising to stand tall and ominous and intimidate Entreri. The assassin, though, cared little for the wizard’s continuing antics, too engrossed in assessing the value of such an alliance. â€Å"I ask nothing of your business with them,† Entreri replied at length. â€Å"Tell me only which one of the four it concerns.† It was Dendybar’s turn to ponder. He wanted Entreri in his court, if for no other reason than he feared having the assassin working against him. And he liked the notion that he would not have to disclose anything about the artifact that he sought to this very dangerous man. â€Å"The drow has something of mine, or knowledge of where I can find it,† he said. â€Å"I want it back.† â€Å"And the halfling is mine,† Entreri demanded. â€Å"Where are they?† Dendybar motioned to Sydney. â€Å"They have passed through Longsaddle,† she said. â€Å"And are headed to Silverymoon, more than two weeks to the east.† The names were unknown to Catti-brie, but she was glad that her friends had a good lead. She needed time to sort out a plan, though she wondered how effective she could be surrounded by such powerful captors. â€Å"And what do you propose?† Entreri asked. â€Å"An alliance,† replied Dendybar. â€Å"But I have the information I need,† Entreri laughed. â€Å"What do I gain in an alliance with you?† â€Å"My powers can get you to them, and can aid in defeating them. They are not a weak force. Consider it of mutual benefit.† â€Å"You and I on the road? You seem more fitted to a book and a desk, wizard.† Dendybar locked an unblinking glare on the arrogant assassin. â€Å"I assure you that I can get wherever I desire more effectively than you ever could imagine,† he growled. He let go of his anger quickly, though, being more interested in completing business. â€Å"But I shall remain here. Sydney will go in my stead, and Jierdan, the soldier, will be her escort.† Entreri did not like the idea of traveling with Jierdan, but he decided not to press the point. It might be interesting, and helpful, in sharing the hunt with the Hosttower of the Arcane. He agreed to the terms. â€Å"And what of her?† Sydney asked, pointing to Catti-brie. â€Å"She goes with me,† Entreri was quick to answer. â€Å"Of course,† agreed Dendybar. â€Å"No purpose in wasting such a valuable hostage.† â€Å"We are three against five,† Sydney reasoned. â€Å"If things do not work out as easily as the two of you seem to expect, the girl may prove to be our downfall.† â€Å"She goes!† demanded Entreri. Dendybar had the solution already worked out. He turned a wry smile at Sydney. â€Å"Take Bok,† he chuckled. Sydney’s face drooped, at the suggestion, as though Dendybar’s command had stolen her desire for the hunt. Entreri wasn’t sure if he liked this new development or not. Sensing the assassin’s discomfort, Dendybar motioned Sydney to a curtained closet at the side of the room. â€Å"Bok,† she called softly when she got there, the hint of a tremble in her voice. It stepped through the curtain. Fully eight feet tall and three wide at the shoulders, the monster strode stiffly to the woman’s side. A huge man, it seemed, and indeed the wizard had used pieces of human bodies for many of its parts. Bok was bigger and more square than any man living, nearly the size of a giant, and had been magically empowered with strength beyond the measures of the natural world. â€Å"A golem,† Dendybar proudly explained. â€Å"My own creation. Bok could kill us all right now. Even your fell blade would be of little use against it, Artemis Entreri.† The assassin wasn’t so convinced, but he could not completely mask his intimidation. Dendybar had obviously tipped the scales of their partnership in his own favor, but Entreri knew that if he backed away from the bargain now he would be aligning the mottled wizard and his minions against him, and in direct competition with him for the dwarf’s party. Furthermore, it would take him weeks, perhaps even months to catch the travelers by normal means and he did not doubt that Dendybar could get there faster. Catti-brie shared the same uncomfortable thoughts. She had no desire to travel with the gruesome monster, but she wondered what carnage she would find when she finally caught up to Bruenor and the others if Entreri decided to break away from the alliance. â€Å"Fear not,† Dendybar comforted. â€Å"Bok is harmless, incapable of any independent thought, for, you see, Bok has no mind. The golem answers to my commands, or to Sydney’s, and would walk into a fire to be consumed if we merely asked it to do so!† â€Å"I have business to finish in the city,† Entreri said, not doubting Dendybar’s words and having little desire to hear any more about the golem. â€Å"When do we depart?† â€Å"Night would be best,† reasoned Dendybar. â€Å"Come back to the green outside the Hosttower when the sun is down. We shall meet there and get you on your way.† Alone in his chamber, save for Bok, Dendybar stroked the golem’s muscled shoulders with deep affection. Bok was his hidden trump, his protection against the resistance of the companions, or the treachery of Artemis Entreri. But Dendybar did not part with the monster easily, for it played a powerful role, as well, in protecting him from would-be successors in the Hosttower. Dendybar had subtly but definitely passed along the warning to other wizards that any of them striking against him would have to deal with Bok, even if Dendybar were dead. But the road ahead might be long, and the Master of the North Spire could not forsake his duties and expect to hold his title. Especially not with the Archmage just looking for any excuse to be rid of him, understanding the dangers of Dendybar’s outspoken aspirations to the central tower. â€Å"Nothing can stop you, my pet,† Dendybar told the monster. In truth, he was simply reaffirming his own fears about his choice to send the inexperienced mage in his stead. He didn’t doubt her loyalty, nor Jierdan’s, but Entreri and the heroes from Icewind Dale were not to be taken lightly. â€Å"I have given you the hunting power,† Dendybar explained, as he tossed the scroll tube and the now-useless parchment to the floor. â€Å"The drow is your purpose and you can now sense his presence from any distance. Find him! Do not return to me without Drizzt Do’Urden!† A guttural roar issued from Bok’s blue lips, the only sound the unthinking instrument was capable of uttering. Entreri and Catti-brie found the wizard’s party already assembled when they arrived at the Hosttower later that night. Jierdan stood alone, off to the side, apparently none too thrilled about partaking in the adventure, but having little choice. The soldier feared the golem, and had no love, or trust, for Entreri. He feared Dendybar more, though, and his uneasiness about the potential dangers on the road did not measure up against the certain dangers he would face at the hands of the mottled wizard if he refused to go. Sydney broke away from Bok and Dendybar and walked across the way to meet her companions. â€Å"Greetings,† she offered, more interested in appeasement now than competition with her formidable partner. â€Å"Dendybar prepares our mounts. The ride to Silverymoon shall be swift indeed!† Entreri and Catti-brie looked to the mottled wizard. Bok stood beside him, holding an unrolled parchment out in view while Dendybar poured a smoky liquid from a beaker over a white feather and chanted the runes of the spell. A mist grew at the wizard’s feet, swirling and thickening into something with a definite shape. Dendybar left it to its transformation and moved to repeat the ritual a short way off. By the time the first magical horse had appeared, the wizard was creating the fourth and final one. Entreri raised his brow. â€Å"Four?† he asked Sydney. â€Å"We are now five.† â€Å"Bok could not ride,† she replied, amused at the notion. â€Å"It will run.† She turned and headed back toward Dendybar, leaving Entreri with the thought. â€Å"Of course,† Entreri muttered to himself, somehow less thrilled than ever about the presence of the unnatural thing. But Catti-brie had begun to view things a bit differently. Dendybar had obviously sent Bok along more to gain an advantage over Entreri than to ensure victory over her friends. Entreri must have known it, too. Without realizing it, the wizard had set up just the type of nervous environment that Catti-brie hoped for, a tense situation that she might find a way to exploit. How to cite Streams of Silver 9. There is No Honor, Essay examples