The crowd applauded Raistlin's spinning coins, laughed when an illusory pig danced upon the bar, and scrambled out of their chairs in terror when a giant troll thundered in through a window. Bowing, the mage left to rest. Tika came on.
The crowd, particularly the draconians, cheered Tika's dancing, banging their mugs on the table.
Then Goldmoon appeared before them, dressed in a gown of pale blue. Her silver-gold hair flowed over her shoulders like water shimmering in the moonlight. The crowd hushed instantly. Saying nothing, she sat down in a chair on the raised platform William lead hastily constructed. So beautiful was she that not a murmur escaped the crowd. All waited expectantly.
Riverwind sat upon the floor at her feet. Putting a handcarved flute to leis lips, he began to play and, after a few moments, Goldmoon's voice blended with the flute. Her song was simple, the melody sweet and harmonious, yet haunting. But it was the words that caught Tanis's attention, causing him to exchange worried glances with Caramon. Raistlin, sitting next to him, grasped hold of Tanis's arm.
"I feared as much!" the mage hissed. "Another riot'"
"Perhaps not," Tanis said, watching. "Look at the audience:"
Women leaned their heads onto their husband's shoulders, children were quiet and attentive. The draconians seemed spellbound-as a wild animal will sometimes beheld by music. Only the goblins shuffled their flapping feet, seemingly bored but so in awe o? the draconians that they dared not protest.
Goldmoon's song was of the ancient gods. She told how the gods had sent the Cataclysm to punish the Kingpriest of Istar and the people of Krynn for their pride. She sang of the terrors of that night and those that followed. She reminded them of how the people, believing, themselves abandoned, had prayed to false gods. Then she gave them a message of hope: the gods had runt abandoned them. The true gods were here, waiting only for someone to listen to them.
After her song ended, and the plaintive wailing of the flute died, most in the crowd shank their treads, seeming to wake froze a pleasant dream.. When asked what the song had been about, they couldn't say. The draconians shrugged and called far mare ale. The goblins shouted for Ti ka to dance again. But, here and there, Tanis noticed a face still holding the wonder had warn during the song. And he was not surprised to see, young, dark-skinned woman approach Goldmoon shyly.
"I ask your pardon for disturbing you, my lady;' Tanis aheard the woman say, "but your song touched me deeply, I. want to learn of the ancient gods, to learn their ways."
Goldmoon smiled. "Come to me tomorrow;' she said, "an
shall teach you what I know:"
And thus, slowly, word of the ancient gods began to spread
Jay the time they left Port Balifor, the dark-skinned woman soft-voiced young man, and several other people wore the bl medallion of Mishakal, Goddess of Healing. Secretly they w‹ forth, bringing hope to the dark and troubled land.
By the end of the month, the companions were able to by
wagon, horses to pull it, horses to ride, and supplies. What w left went toward purchase of ship's passage to Sancrist. The
planned to add to their money by performing in the small fan ing communities between Port Balifor and Flotsam.
When the Red Wizard left Port Balifor shortly before t
Yuletide season, leis wagon was seen on its way by enthusiast' crowds. Packed with their costumes, supplies for two month
and a keg of ale (provided by William), the wagon was enough for Raistlin to sleep and travel inside. It also held t
multi-colored, striped tents in which the others would live.
Tanis glanced around at the strange sight they made, shaking his head. It seemed tl•at-in the midst of everything else that had happened to them-this was the most bizarre. He loot: at Raistiin sitting beside his brother, who drove the wagon. T
mage's red-sequined robes blazed like flame in the bright win sunlight. Shoulders hunched against the wind, Raistlin star
straight ahead, wrapped in a show of mystery that delighted the crowd. Caramon, dressed in a bearskin suit (a present
William's), had pulled the head of the bear over his own, r:
ing it look as though a bear drove the wagon. The child cheered as he growled at them in mock ferocity.
They were nearly out of town when a draconian command stopped them. Tanis,, his heart caught in his throat, rode f ward, his hand pressed against his sword. But the command only wanted to make certain they passed through Bloodwa
where draconian troops were located. The draconian had mentioned the show to a friend. The troops were looking forward to seeing it. Tanis, inwardly vowing not to set foot near the place, promised faithfully that they would certainly appear.
Finally they reached the city gates. Climbing down from their mounts, they bid farewell to their friend. William gave them each a hug, starting with Tika and ending with Tika. He was going to hug Raistlin, but the mage's golden eyes widened so alarmingly when William approached that the innkeeper backed away precipitously.
The companions climbed back onto their horses. Raistlin and Caramon returned to the wagon. The crowd cheered and urged them to return f or the spring Harrowing celebration. The guards opened the gates, bidding them a safe journey, and the companions rode through. The gates shut behind them.
The wind blew chill. Gray clouds above them began to spit snow fitfully. The road, which they were assured was well traveled, stretched before them, bleak and empty. Raistlin began to shiver and cough. After awhile, he said he would ride inside the wagon. The rest pulled their hoods up over their heads and clutched their fur cloaks more closely about them.
Caramon, guiding the horses along the rutted, muddy road, appeared unusually thoughtful.
"You know, Tanis"' he said solemnly above the jingling of the bells Tika had tied to the horses' manes, "I'm more thankful than I can tell that none of our friends saw this. Can you hear what Flint would say? That grumbling old dwarf would never let me live this down. And can you imagine Sturm!" The big man shook his head, the thought being beyond words.
Yes, Tanis sighed. I .can imagine Sturm. Dear friend, I never realized how much I depended on you-your courage, your ' noble spirit. Are you alive. my friend? Did you reach Sancrist safely? Are you now the knight in body that you have alwaysbeen in spirit? Will we meet again, or have we parted never tomeet in this life-as Raistlin predicted?
The group rode on. 'The day grew darker, the storm wilder. ` Riverwind dropped back :o ride beside Goldmoon. Tika tied her horse behind the wagon and crawled up to sit near Caramon. Inside the wagon. Raistlin slept.
Tanis rode alone, his head bowed, has thoughts far away.
258
the Knights trials.
d-finally," said Derek in a law and measured voice, "I accuse Sturm Brightblade of cowardice in the face of the enemy:'
A low murmur ran through the assemblage of knights gathered in the castle of Lord Gunthar. Three knights: seated at the massive black oak table in front of the assembly. leaned their heads together to confer in low tones.
Gong ago, the three seated'' at this Knights Trials-as pre
scribed by the Measure-would have beer the Grand blaster, the High Clerist, and the High Justice. But at this time there was no Grand Master. There had not been a High Clerist since the time of the Cataclysm. And while the High Justice-Lard Alfred MarKenin-was present, his hold on that position was tenuous at best. Whoever became the new Grand Master had leave to replace him.
Despite these vacancies in the Head of the Order, the business of the Knights must continue. Though not strong enough to claim the coveted position of Grand Master, Lord Gunthar Uth Wistan was strong enough to act in that role. And so he sat here today, at the beginning of the Yuletide season, in judgment on this young squire, Sturm Brightblade. To his right sat Lord Alfred, to his left, young Lord Michael JeofErey, filling in as High Clerist.