Caramon shrugged. 'I'll go anywhere, fight anything, Tanis. You know that. What say you, brother?'
But Raistlin, staring into the darkness, did not answer.
Goldmoon and Riverwind were speaking together in low voices. They nodded to each other, then Goldmoon said to Tanis, 'We will go to Xak Tsaroth. We appreciate everything you've done for us-'
'But we ask for no man's help any longer,' Riverwind stated proudly. 'This is the completion of our quest. As we began alone, so we will finish it alone.'
'And you will die alone!' Raistlin said softly.
Tanis shivered. 'Raistlin,' he said, 'a word with you.'
The mage turned obediently and walked with the half-elf into a small thicket of gnarled and stunted trees. Darkness closed around them.
'Just like the old days,' Caramon said, his eyes following hismbrother uneasily.
'And look at all the trouble we got into then,' Flint reminded him, plopping down onto the grass.
'I wonder what they talk about?' Tasslehoff said. Long ago, the kender had tried to eavesdrop on these private conversations between the mage and the half-elf, but Tanis had always caught him and shooed him away. 'And why can't they discuss it with us?'
'Because we'd probably rip Raistlin's heart out,' Sturm answered, in a low, pain-filled voice. 'I don't care what you say, Caramon, there's a dark side to your brother, and Tanis has seen it. For which I'm grateful. He can deal with it. I couldn't.'
Uncharacteristically, Caramon said nothing. Sturm stared at the warrior, startled. In the old days, the fighter would have leaped to his brother's defense. Now he sat silent, preoccupied, his face troubled. So there is a dark side to Raistlin, and now Caramon, too, knows what it is. Sturm shuddered, wondering what had happened in these past five years that cast such a dark shadow across the cheerful warrior.
Raistlin walked close to Tanis. The mage's arms were crossed in the sleeves of his robes, his head bowed in thought. Tanis could feel the heat of Raistlin's body radiate through the red robes, as though he were being consumed by an inner fire. As usual, Tanis felt uncomfortable in the young mage's presence. Yet, right now, he knew of no one else he could turn to for advice. 'What do you know of Xak Tsaroth?' Tanis asked.
'There was a temple there-a temple to the ancient gods,' Raistlin whispered. His eyes glittered in the eerie light of the red moon. 'It was destroyed in the Cataclysm and its people fled, certain that the gods had abandoned them. It passed from memory. I did not know it still existed.'
'What did you see, Raistlin?' Tanis asked softly, after a long pause. 'You looked far away-what did you see?'
'I am magi, Tanis, not a seer.'
'Don't give me that,' Tanis snapped. 'It's been a long time, but not that long. I know you don't have the gift of foresight. You were thinking, not scrying. And you came up with answers. I want those answers. You've got more brains than all of us put together, even if-' he stopped.
'Even if I am twisted and warped.' Raistlin's voice rose with harsh arrogance. 'Yes, I am smarter than you-all of you. And someday I will prove it! Someday you-with all your strength and charm and good looks-you-all of you, will call me master!' His hands clenched to fists inside his robes, his eyes flared red in the crimson moonlight. Tanis, who was accustomed to this tirade, waited patiently. The mage relaxed, his hands unclenched. 'But for now, I give you my advice. What did I see? These armies, Tanis, armies of draconians, will overrun Solace and Haven and all the lands of your fathers. That is the reason we must reach Xak Tsaroth. What we find there will prove this army's undoing.'
'But why are there armies?' Tanis asked. 'What would anyone want with control of Solace and Haven and the Plains to the east? Is it the Seekers?'
'Seekers! Hah!' Raistlin snorted. 'Open your eyes, Half-Elf. Someone or something powerful created these creatures-these draconians. Not the idiot Seekers. And no one goes to all that trouble to take over two farm cities or even to look for a blue crystal staff. This is a war of conquest, Tanis. Someone seeks to conquer Ansalon! Within two days time, life on Krynn as we have known it will come to an end. This is the portent of the fallen stars. The Queen of Darkness has returned. We face a foe who seeks-at the very least-to enslave us, or perhaps destroy us completely.'
'Your advice?' Tanis asked reluctantly. He felt change coming and, like all elves, he feared and detested change.
Raistlin smiled his crooked, bitter smile, reveling in his moment of superiority. 'That we go to Xak Tsaroth immediately. That we leave tonight, if possible, by whatever means this Forestmaster has planned. If we do not acquire this gift within two days-the armies of draconians will.'
'What do you think the gift might be?' Tanis wondered aloud. 'A sword or coins, like Caramon said?'
'My brother's a fool,' Raistlin stated coldly. 'You don't believe that and neither do I.'
'Then what?' Tanis pursued.
Raistlin's eyes narrowed. 'I have given you my advice. Act upon it as you will. I have my own reasons for going. Let us leave it at that, Half-Elf. But it will be dangerous. Xak Tsaroth was abandoned three hundred years ago. I do not think it will have remained abandoned long.'
'That is true,' Tanis mused. He stood silently for long moments. The mage coughed once, softly. 'Do you believe we were chosen, Raistlin?' Tanis asked.
The mage did not hesitate. 'Yes. So I was given to know in the Towers of Sorcery. So Par-Salian told me.'
'But why?' Tanis questioned impatiently. 'We are not the stuff of heroes-well, maybe Sturm-'
'Ah,' said Raistlin. 'But who chose us? And for what purpose? Consider that, Tanis Half-Elven!'
The mage bowed to Tanis, mockingly, and turned to walk back through the brush to the rest of the group.
12
Winged sleep. Smoke in the east. Dark memories
'Xak Tsaroth,' Tanis said. 'That is my decision.'
'Is that what the mage advises?' Sturm asked sullenly.
'It is,' Tanis answered, 'and I believe his advice is sound. If we do not reach Xak Tsaroth within two days, others will and this 'greatest gift' may be lost forever.'
'The greatest gift!' Tasslehoff said, his eyes shining. 'Just think, Flint! Jewels beyond price! Or maybe-'
'A keg of ale and Otik's fried potatoes,' the dwarf muttered. 'And a nice warm fire. But no-Xak Tsaroth!'
'I guess we're all in agreement, then,' Tanis said. 'If you feel you are needed in the north, Sturm, of course you-'
'I will go with you to Xak Tsaroth.' Sturm sighed. 'There is nothing in the north for me. I have been deluding myself. The Knights of my order are scattered, holed up in crumbling fortresses, fighting off the debt collectors.'
The knight's face twisted in agony and he lowered his head. Tanis suddenly felt tired. His neck hurt, his shoulders and back ached, his leg muscles twitched. He started to say something more, then felt a gentle hand touch his shoulder. He looked up to see Goldmoon's face, cool and calm in the moonlight.
'You are weary, my friend,' she said. 'We all are. But we are glad you are coming, Riverwind and I.' Her hand was strong. She looked up, her clear gaze encompassing the entire group. 'We are glad all of you are coming with us.'
Tanis, glancing at Riverwind, wasn't certain the tall Plainsman agreed with her.
'Just another adventure,' Caramon said, flushing with embarrassment. 'Eh, Raist?' He nudged his brother. Raistlin, ignoring his twin, looked at the Forestmaster.
'We must leave immediately,' the mage said coldly. 'You mentioned something about helping us cross the mountains.'
