Dragonlance: Tales of the Fifth Age, Book 01 - Relics and Omens by Margaret Weis

Author:Margaret Weis [Weis, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7869-1169-1
Publisher: Fanversion Publishing
Published: 2015-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Homecoming

William W. Connors and Sue Weinlein Cook

"Kellin, aren't we there yet?" rumbled the blue dragon.

It was just Kellin these days. Not Commander Kellin, as it had been during the Summer of Chaos. Not Sir Kellin as it had been during those days of honor and victory, now four years past. Just—

"Kellin!"

The dragon's query came louder than a shout over the rush of the wind and the strokes of the beast's wings against the air. "Where are you taking us?"

"Be patient, Dusk," returned the veteran knight in steady tones. He laid a soothing hand upon the neck of his dragon mount. Then, squinting into the midday sun, he swept his gaze across the desolate terrain of Estwilde. "We're close," he said, more to himself than the dragon.

"Are you sure you don't want to turn around?" asked Dusk hopefully.

"You know I can't go back." Kellin's voice was clipped. 'There's nothing left for us there."

The dragon swiveled her head slightly, glancing at her rider out of the corner of one large eye. "The others are still there. We could regroup and lead the squadron again!"

"My foolish girl, there will be no more squadrons." The man clenched his jaw as unwanted memories surfaced: the triumph before the gates of Palanthas, the heady feeling as he flew with his officers over the shining star of Ansalon's civilization.

The dark mass of shadow wights on the horizon. The death cries of his men as the fire dragons claimed them for Chaos. In the wake of the devastating war, few Knights of Takhisis remained alive, and those who did were wise to hide their affiliation. The people of Ansalon were quick to remember the Dark Knights' conquest of the land, but slow to recall their sacrifices in the war against the Father of All and of Nothing.

"But the General ordered us to Neraka," said Dusk.

"Takhisis take the General!" roared a furious Kellin. "Who is she to order us? We captured Palanthas for the Dark Queen—Palanthas!—and yet, where did our victories lead us? Her Dark Majesty abandoned us the moment Chaos challenged her, leaving us to fight her battles alone. Leaving us to die."

"We're not dead" was the dragon's quiet response. "We have a future in Neraka—a new home for all of us who are still alive."

Dusk's words softened Kellin's stony countenance. He patted the cobalt neck. "Neraka is not our home. It is the city of the Dark Queen, and therefore it is empty of honor." He sighed. "I cannot embrace such a home."

The dragon's chuckle took Kellin by surprise. "You find that funny?"

"You may think you've left the knights behind," the dragon said, "but the order lives within you. You'll return to them, and I'll be beside you. There are good days ahead."

The dragon's words were lost on Kellin, who was busy scanning the ground. Suddenly his grip tightened on his mount's neck. "The good days are upon us now, Dusk! Look! There it is! Evermark Keep!"

Dusk craned her head in the direction her rider pointed. She and Kellin had just rounded a barren peak and come in sight of Ansalon's northern shore.

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