Dwarven Nations - Hammer And Axe Part 16

Tanis thought wearily.

They had. left behind the smoke and the storm clouds that covered Tads, flying out into the clear right sky. The stars gleamed al---ove them, their sparkling lights s.h.i.+ning as cold as diamonds, emphasizing the gaping black holes in the night sky where the two constellations had wheeled in their track above the world. The moons, silver and red, had set, but Tanis did not need their light to recognize the dark drapes blotting out the s.h.i.+ning stars.

"Dragons;' he said to Alhana. "Following us:'

Tanis could never afterward clearly remember the nightmare flight from Tarsis.

It was hours of chill, biting wind that made even death by a dragon's flaming breath seem appealing. It was hours of panic, staring behind to see the dark shapes gaining on them, staring until his eyes watered and the tears froze on his cheeks, yet unable to turn away. It was stopping at dusk, worn out from fear and fatigue, to sleep in a cave on a high rock cliff. It was waking at dawn only to see-as they soared through the air again-the dark, winged shapes still behind them.

Few living creatures can outcry the eagle-winged griffon. But the dragons-blue dragons, the first they had ever seen-were always on the horizon, always pursuing; allowing no rest during the day, farting the companions into hiding at night when the exhausted griffons must sleep. There was little food, only quith- pah-a dried fruit type of iron-ration that sustains the body, but does little to ease hunger-which Alhana carried and shared, But even Caramon was too weary and dispirited to eat much.

The only thing Tanis remembered vividly occurred on the second night of their journey. He was telling the small group huddled around a fire in a damp and cheerless cave about the kender's discovery in the library at Tarsis. At the mention of the dragon orbs, Raistlin's eyes glittered, his thin face lit from within by an eager, intense glow.

"Dragon orbs?" he repeated softly.

"l thought you might know of them;' Tanis said. "What are they"

Raistlin did not answer immediately. Wrapped a both his own and his brothels cloak, he lay as near the fire as possible, and all his trail body shook with the chill. The wage's golden eyes stared at Alhana, who sat somewhat apart from the group,, deigning to share the cane but not the conversation. Now, however, it seemed she half-turned her head, listening.

"You sand them is a dragon orb in Silvanesti;' the wage whispered,, glancing at Tanis. "Surely I am not the one to ask'

"I know little about it;' Alhana said, turning her pale face to the firelight.

"We keep it as a relic of bygone days, more a curiosity than anything else. Who believed humans would once again wake this evil and bring the dragons back to Krynn?"

Before Raistlin could answer, Riverwind spoke angrily. "You have no proof it was humans!"

Alhana swept the Plainsman an imperious glance. She did not reply, considering it beneath her to argue with a barbarian.

Tanis sighed. The Plainsman had little use for elves. It had taken long days before he had come to trust Tanis, longer for Gilthanas and Laurana. Now, just as Riverwind seemed to be able to overcome his inherited prejudices, Alhana with her equal prejudices had inflicted new wounds.

"Very well, Raistlin:' Tanis said quietly, "tell us what you know of the dragon orbs:'

"Bring my drink, Caramon," the mage ordered. Bringing the cup of hot water as commanded, Caramon set it before his brother. Raistlin propped himself up an one elbow and mixed herbs into the water. Tile strange, acrid odor filled the air.

Raistlin, grimacing, sipped the bitter mixture as he talked.

"During the Age of Dreams, when those of my order were respected and revered upon Krynn, there were five Towers of High Sorcery." The wage's voice sank, as if recalling painful memories. His brother sat staring at the rock floor of the cave, his face grave. Tanis, seeing the shadow fall across both twins, wondered again whale had happened within the Tower of High Sorcery to change their lives so drastically. It was useless to ask, he knew. Both had been forbidden to discuss it.

Raistlin paused a moment before .he continued, then drew a deep breath. "When tile Second Dragon Wars came, the highest of my order met together in the greatest of the Towers-the Tower of Falanthas-and created the dragon orbs:"

Raistlin's eyes. grew unfocused, leis whispering voice ceased a moment. When he spoke next, it was as if recounting a moment he was reliving in his mind. Even his voice changed, becoming stranger, deeper, clearer. He no longer coughed.

Caramon looked at him in astonishment.

"Those of the White Robes entered the chamber at the top of the Tower first., as the silver moon, solinari, rose. Then Lunitari appeared in the sky, dripping with blood, and those of the Red Robes entered. Finally the black disk, Nutari, a hole of darkness among the stars, could be seen by those who sought it, and the Black Robes walked into the chamber.

"It was a strange moment in history, when all enmity between the Robes was suppressed. It would come but one more time in the world, when the wizards joined together in the Lost Battles, but that time could not be foreseen. It was enough to know that, for now, the great evil must be destroyed. Far at last we had seen that evil was intent on destroying ail the magic of the world, so that only its own would survive! Some there were among the Black Robes, who might have tried to ally with this great power"-Tanis saw Raistlin's eyes burn-"but soon realized they would not be maskers of it, only its slaves. And so the dragon orbs were born, on a night when all three moons were full in the sky:"

"Three moons?" Tanis asked softly, but Raistlin did not hear him and continued to speak in the voice not his own.

"Great and powerful magic was worked that night-so powerful that few could withstand it and they collapsed, their physical and mental strength drained. But that morning, five dragon orbs stood upon pedestals, glistening with light, dark with shadows. All but one were taken from Palanthas and carried, in great peril, to each of the other four Towers. Here they helped rid the world of the Queen of Darkness:"

The feverish gleam faded from Raistlin's eyes. His shoulders slumped, his voice sank, and he began to cough, violently. The others stared at him in breathless silence.

Finally Tanis cleared his throat. "What do you mean, three moans?"

Raistlin looked up dully. "Three moons.?" he whispered. "I know nothing of three moons., What were we discussing?"

"Drag an. orbs. You told us how they were created. Now did you-" Tanis stopped, seeing Raistlin sink onto his pallet.

"I have told you nothing:' Raistlin said irritably. "What are you talking about?'"

Tanis glanced at the others. Riverwind shook his head. Cararnorl bit his lip and looked away, his face drawn with worry.

"We were speaking of the dragon orbs;" Goldmoon said. "You were going to tell us what you knew of them.."

Raistlin wiped blood from has mouth. "I do not know much;' he said wearily, shrugging. "The dragon orbs were created by the high mages. Only the most powerful of my order could use them. It was said that great evil would came to those not strong in magic who tried to command the orbs. Beyond that, I know nothing. All knowledge of the dragon orbs perished during the Lost Battles. Two, it was said, were destroyed in the Fall of the Towers of High Sorcery, destroyed rather than let the rabble have them. Knowledge of the other three died with their wizards:' His voice died. Sinking back onto his pallet, exhausted, he fell asleep.

"The Lost Battles, three moons. Raistlin talking with a strange voice. None of this makes sense;' Tanis muttered.

"I don't believe any of it!" Riverwind said coldly. He shook out their furs, preparing to sleep.

Tanis was starting to follow his example when he saw Alhana creep from the shadows of the cave and came to stand next to Raistlin. Staring dawn at the sleeping mage, her hands twisted together.

"Strong in magic!" she whispered in a voice filled with fear. "My father!"

Tanis looked at her in sudden understanding,

"you don't think your father trued to use the orb?"

"I am afraid;" Alhana whispered, wringing her hands. "He said he alone could fight the evil and keep it from our land. He must have meant-" Swiftly she bent down near Raistlin. "Wake him!" she commanded, her black eyes flaring. "I must know! Wake him and make him fell me what the danger is!"

Caramon pulled her back, gently but firmly. Alhana glared at him, her beautiful face twisted in fear and rage, and it seemed for a moment as if she might strike him, but Tanis reached her side and caught hold off her hand.

"Lady Alhana;' he said calmly. "it would do no good to wake him. He has told us everything he knows. As. for that other voice, he obviously remembers nothing about what it said:'

"I've seen it happen to Raist before;' Caramon said in low tones, 'as if he becomes someone else. But it always leaves him exhausted and he never remembers."

Alhana jerked her hand away from Tanis's, her face resuming its cold, pure, marble stillness. She whirled and walked to the front of the cave. Catching hold of the blanket Riverwind had hung to hide the fire's light, she nearly tore it down as she flung it aside and skulked outdoors.

"I'll stand first watch;" Tanis told Caramon. "You get some sleep:"

"I'll stay up with Raist awhile;" the big man said, spreading out his pallet next to his frail twins. Tanis followed Alhana outside.

The griffons slept soundly, their heads buried on the soft feathers of their necks, taloned front feet clutching the cliff edge securely. For a moment he could not find Alhana in the darkness, then he saw her, leaning against a huge boulder, weeping bitterly, her head buried in her arms.

The proud Silvanesti woman would never forgive him if he saw her weak and vulnerable. Tanis ducked back behind the blanket.

"I'll strand watch! " he called out loudly before he walked outside again.

Lifting the blanket, he saw, without seeming to, Alhana stark up and wipe her hands hurriedly across her face. She turned her back to him, and he walked slowly toward her: giving her time to pull herself together.

"The cave was stifling;' she said in a low voice. "I could not bear it.. I had to come out for a breath of air."