dangerous before the end of my long journey. I cannot ask you to go with me»
Bupu lifted her head, her eyes brightening. Then a shadow tell across her face. 'But you will be unhappy without me.'
No, Raistlin said, smiling, 'My happiness will lie in knowing you are safely back with your people.'
'You sure?' Bupu asked anxiously.
'I am sure,' Raistlin answered.
'Then I go.' Bupu stood up. 'But first, you take gift' She began to rummage around in her bag.
'No, little one,' Raistlin began, remembering the dead lizard thats not necessary-' The words caught in his throat as he watched Bupu pull from her bag-a book! He stared in amazement, seeing the pale light of the chill morning illuminate silver runes on a night-blue leather binding.
Raistlin reached out a trembling hand. 'The spellbook of Fistandantilus!' he breathed.
'You like?' Bupu said shyly.
'Yes little one!' Raistlin took the precious object in his hands and held it lovingly, stroking the leather. 'Where-'
'I take from dragon,' Bupu said, 'when blue light shine. I glad you like. Now, I go. Find Highbulp Phudge I, the great' She slung her bag over her shoulder. Then she stopped and turned. 'That cough-you sure you not want lizard cure?'
'No, thank you, little one,' Raistlin said, rising.
Bupu looked at him sadly, then-greatly daring-she caught his hand in hers and kissed it swiftly. She turned away, her head bowed, sobbing bitterly.
Raistlin stepped forward. He laid his hand on her head. If I have any power at all, Great One, he said inside himself, power that has not yet been revealed to me, grant that this little one goes through her life in safety and happiness.
'Farewell, Bupu,' he said softly.
She stared at him with wide, adoring eyes, then turned and ran off as fast as her floppy shoes would carry her.
'What was all that about?' Flint said, stumping over from the other side of the camp. 'Oh,' he added, seeing Bupu running off. 'So you got rid of your pet gully dwarf.'
Raistlin did not answer, but simply stared at Flint with a malevolence that made the dwarf shiver and walk hurriedly away.
The mage held the spellbook in his hands, admiring it. He longed to open it and revel in its treasures, but he knew that long weeks of study lay ahead of him before he could even read the new spells, much less acquire them. And with the spells would come more power! He sighed in ecstasy and hugged the book to his thin chest. Then he slipped it swiftly into his pack with his own spellbook. The others would be waking soon-let them wonder how he got the book.
Raistlin stood up, glancing out to the west, to his homeland, where the sky was brightening with the early morning sun.
Suddenly he stiffened. Then, dropping his pack, he ran across the camp and knelt down beside the half- elf.
'Tanis!' Raistlin hissed. 'Wake up!'
Tanis woke and grabbed his dagger. 'What-'
Raistlin pointed to the west.
Tanis blinked, trying to focus his sleep-scummed eyes. The view from the top of the mountain where they were camped was magnificent. He could see the tall trees give way to the grassy Plains. And beyond the Plains, snaking up into the sky-
'No!' Tanis choked. He gripped the mage. 'No, it can't be!'
'Yes,' Raistlin whispered. 'Solace is burning.'
BOOK 2
1
Night of the dragons
Tika wrung the rag out in the pail and watched, dully, as the water turned black. She threw the rag down on the bar and started to lift the bucket to carry it back to the kitchen to draw more water. Then she thought, why bother! Picking up the rag, she began to mop the tables again. When she thought Otik wasn't watching, she wiped her eyes with her apron.
But Otik was watching. His pudgy hands took hold of Tika's shoulders and gently turned her around. Tika gave a choking sob and laid her head on his shoulder.
'I'm sorry,' Tika sobbed, 'but I can't get this clean!'
Otik knew, of course, that this wasn't the real reason the girl was weeping, but it came close. He patted her back gently. 'I know, I know, child. Don't cry. I understand.'
'It's this damn soot!' Tika wailed. 'It covers everything with black and every day I scrub it up and the next day it's back. They keep burning and burning!'
'Don't worry about it, Tika,' Otik said, stroking her hair. 'Be thankful the Inn's in one piece-'
'Be thankful!' Tika pushed away from him, her face flushed. 'No! I wish it had burned like everything else in Solace, then they wouldn't come in here! I wish it had burned! I wish it had burned!' Tika sank down at the table, sobbing uncontrollably. Otik hovered around her.
'I know, my dear, I know,' he repeated, smoothing the puffy sleeves of the blouse Tika had taken such pride in keeping clean and white. Now it was dingy and covered with soot, like everything in the ravaged town.
The attack on Solace had come without warning. Even when the first pitiable refugees began to trickle into the town from the north, telling horror stories of huge, winged monsters, Hederick, the High Theocrat, assured the people of Solace that they were safe, their town would be spared. And the people believed him because they wanted to believe him.
And then came the night of the dragons.
The Inn was crowded that night, one of the few places people could go and not be reminded of the storm clouds hanging low in the northern skies. The fire burned brightly, the ale was rich, the spiced potatoes were delicious. Yet, even here, the outside world intruded: everyone talked loudly and fearfully of war.
Hederick's words soothed their fearful hearts.
'We are not like these reckless fools to the north who made the mistake of defying the might of the Dragon Highlords,' he called out, standing on a chair to be heard. 'Lord Verminaard has personally assured the Council of Highseekers in Haven that he wants only peace. He seeks permission to move his armies through our town so that he may conquer the elflands to the south. And I say more power to him!'
Hederick paused for scattered cheering and applause.
'We have tolerated the elves in Qualinesti too long. I say, let this Verminaard drive them back to Silvanost or wherever they came from! In fact'-Hederick warmed to his subject-'some of you young men might consider joining the armies of this great lord. And he is a great lord! I have met him! He is a true cleric! I have seen the miracles he has performed! We will enter a new age under his leadership! We will drive the elves, dwarves, and other foreigners from our land and-'
There came a low, dull, roaring sound, like the gathering of the waters of a mighty ocean. Silence fell abruptly. Everyone listened, puzzled, trying to figure out what might make such a noise. Hederick, aware that he had lost his audience, glanced around in irritation. The roaring sound grew louder and louder, coming closer. Suddenly the Inn was plunged into thick, smothering darkness. A few people screamed. Most ran for the windows,
