Dragons of Winter Night (2) by Alvin

Author:Alvin [Alvin]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-02-17T23:00:00+00:00

That night, the companions prepared to leave Silvanesti.

They were to travel under the cover of darkness for much of

their journey north, since by now they knew the dragonarmies

controlled the lands they must pass through. They had no

maps to guide them. They feared trusting ancient maps anymore, after their experience with the landlocked seaport city Tarsis. But the only maps that could be found in Silvanesti

dated back thousands of years. The companions decided to travel north from Silvanesti blindly, with some hope of discover-ing a seaport where they could find passage to Sancrist. They traveled lightly, so they could travel swiftly. Besides,

there was little to take; the elves had stripped their country

bare of food and supplies when they left.

The mage took possession of the dragon orb—a charge no

one disputed him. Tanis at first despaired of how they could

carry the massive crystal with them—it was nearly two feet in

diameter and extraordinarily heavy. But the evening before

they left, Alhana came to Raistlin, a small sack in her hand.

‘My father carried the orb in this sack. I always thought it

odd, considering the orb's size, but he said the sack was given

to him in the Tower of High Sorcery. Perhaps this will help you.’

The mage reached out his thin hand to grasp it eagerly.

‘ Jistrah tagopar Ast moirparann Kini,’ he murmured and

watched in satisfaction as the nondescript bag began to glow

with a pale pink light.

‘Yes, it is enchanted,’ he whispered. Then he lifted his gaze to

Caramon. ‘Go and bring me the orb.’

Caramon's eyes opened wide in horror. ‘Not for any treasure

in this world!’ the big man said with an oath.

‘Bring me the orb!’ Raistlin ordered, staring angrily at his

brother, who still shook his head.

‘Oh, don't be a fool, Caramon!’ Raistlin snapped in exasperation. ‘The orb cannot hurt those who do not attempt to use it. Believe me, my dear brother, you do not have the power to

control a cockroach, let alone a dragon orb!’

‘But it might trap me,’ Caramon protested.

‘Bah! It seeks those with—’ Raistlin stopped suddenly.

‘Yes?’ Tanis said quietly. ‘Go on. Who does it seek?’

‘People with intelligence,’ Raistlin snarled. ‘Therefore I

believe the members of this party are safe. Bring me the orb,

Caramon, or perhaps you want to carry it yourself? Or you,

Half-Elf? Or you, cleric of Mishakal?’

Caramon glanced uncomfortably at Tanis, and the half-elf

realized that the big man was seeking his approval. It was an

odd move for the twin, who had always done what Raistlin

commanded without question.

Tanis saw that he wasn't the only one who noticed Caramon's mute appeal. Raistlin's eyes glittered in rage. Now more than ever, Tanis felt wary of the mage, distrusting

Raistlin's strange and growing power. It's illogical, he argued

with himself. A reaction to a nightmare, nothing more. But

that didn't solve his problem. What should he do about the

dragon orb? Actually, he realized ruefully, he had little choice.

‘Raistlin's the only one with the knowledge and the skill

and—let’s face it—the guts to handle that thing,’ Tanis said

grudgingly. ‘I say he should take it, unless one of you wants the

responsibility?’

No one spoke, though Riverwind shook his head, frowning

darkly.

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