The Perechan.
Memories o, f long ago.
his is crazy, I hope
realize that!" Caramon hissed.
,-We wouldn't be here it we were sane, would we?" I'a~ responded, gritting his teeth.
"No," Cararnon muttered., "I suppose you're right:'
The two men stood an the shadows of a dark alleyway, '~ town where generally the only things ever found in alley wre rats drunks and dead bodies.
e ,
The name of the wretched town was Flotsam, and it well-named, far :it lay upon the shores of the Blood Sea of
THE DRAGONS OF WINTER NIGHT
like the wreckage of a broken vessel tossed upon the rocks. Peopled by the dregs of most of the races of Krynn, Flotsam was, in addition, an occupied town now, overrun with draconians, goblins, and mercenaries of all races, attracted to the Highlords by high wages and the spoils of war.
And so, "like the other scum;' as Raistlin observed, the companions floated along upon the tides of war and were deposited in Flotsam. Here they hoped to find a ship that would take them on the long, treacherous journey around the northern part of Ansalon to Sancrist-or wherever-
Where they were going was a point that had been much in contention lately-ever since Raistlin's recovery from his illness. The companions had anxiously watched him following his use of the dragon orb, their concern not completely centered on his health. What had happened when he used the orb? What harm might he have brought upon them?
"You need not fear," Raistlin told them in his whispering voice. "I am not weak and foolish like the elven king. I gained control of the orb. It did not gain control off me:'
"Then what does it do? How can we use it?" Tanis asked, alarmed by the frozen expression on the mages metallic face.
"It took all my strength to ,gain control of the orb; Raistlin replied, his eyes on the ceiling above his bed. "It will require much mare study before I learn how to use it."
"Study . . :' Tanis repeated. "Study of the orb?"
Raistlin flicked him a glance, then resumed staring at the ceiling. 'No," he replied. "The study of books,, written by the ancient ones who created the orb. We must go to Palanthas, to
the library of one Astinus, who resides there:'
Tanis was silent for a moment. He could hear the mage's ''breath rattle in his lungs as he struggled to draw breath.
What keeps him clinging to this life? Tanis wondered sillentlv.
It had snowed that morning, but now the snow had charged to rain. Tanis could hear it drumming on the wooden roof of the wagon. Heavy clouds drifted across the sky. Perhaps it was
the gloom of the day, but as he looked at Raistlin, Tanis felt a chill creep through his body until the cold seemed to freeze his heart.
"4Vas this what you meant, when you spoke of ancient spells?" Tanis asked.
"Of course. What else?" Raistlin paused, coughing, then asked, "When did I speak of . . .ancient spells?" ;
"When we first found you;" Tanis answered, watching the mage closely. He noticed a crease in Raistlitis forehead and heard tension in his shattered voice.
"What did I say?"
"Nothing much;" Tanis replied warily. "Just something about ancient spells, spells that would soon be yours:"
"That was all?"
Tanis did not reply immediately. Raistlin's strange, hourglass . eyes focused on him coldly. The half-elf shivered and nodded. Raistlin turned his head away. His eyes closed. "I will sleep` now;" he said softly. "Remember, Tanis. Palanthas."
Tanis was forced to admit he wanted to go to Sancrist for~ purely selfish reasons. He hoped against hope that Laurana and Sturm and the others would be there. And it was where he hadi promised he would take the dragons orb. But against this, 'n had to weigh Raistlin's steady insistence that they must go to' the library of this Astinus to discover how to use the orb.
His mind was still in a quandary when they reached Flotsam Finally, he decided they would set about getting passage on ship going north first and decide where to land later.
But when they reached Flotsam, they had a nasty shack's There were more draconians in that city than they had seen o their entire journey from Port B'alifor north. The streets werI~, crawling with heavily armed patrols, taking an intense interest in strangers. Fortunately, the companions had sold their wag before entering the town, so they were able to mingle with, crowds on the streets. But they hadn't been inside one -city gat, five minutes before they saw a draconian patrol arrest a 6umals for "questioning:'
This alarmed them, so they took rooms in the first inn they came to-a run-down place at the edge of town.
"How are we going to even get to the harbor, much less bwJ passage on a ship?" Caramon asked as they settled into they shabby rooms. "What's going on?"
"The innkeeper says a Dragon Highlord is in town. The dra,
Ionians are searching far spies or something;" Tanis muttere
uncomfortably. The companions exchanged glances.
"Maybe they're searching fcr us;" Caramon said.
"That's ridiculous!" Tanis answered quickly-too quickly.
"We're getting spooked. How could anyone know we're here? Or know what we carry2"
"I wonder-" Riverwind said grimly, glancing at Raistlin,
The mage returned his glance coolly, not deigning to answer.
"Hot water For my drink;" he instructed Caramon.
"There's only one way I can think of;"
Tanis said, as Caramon brought his brother the water as ordered. "Caramon and I will go out tonight and waylay two of the draganarmy soldiers.
We'll steal their uniforms. Not the draconians-" he said hastily, as Caramon's brow wrinkled in disgust. "The human mercenaries. Then we can move around Flotsam freely:"
After same discussion, everyone agreed it was the only plan that seemed likely to work. The companions ate dinner without much appetite-dining in their rooms rather than risk going into the common room.
"You'll be all right?" Caramon asked Raistlin uneasily when the two were alone in the room they shared.
"I am quite capable of taking care of myself;' Raistlin replied. Rising to his feet, he hadpicked up a spellboak to study, when a fit of coughing doubled him over.
Caramon reached out his hated, but Raistlin flinched away-
"Be gone!" the mage gasped. "Leave me be!"
Cararnon hesitated, then he sighed. "Sure,. Raist;' he said, and left the roam, shutting the door gently behind him.
Raistlin stood far a moment, trying to catch his breath. Then
he moved slowly across the room, setting dawn the spellbook. W_th a trembling hand, he picked up one of the many sacks that Caramon had placed on the table beside his bed. Opening it, Raistlin carefully withdrew the dragon orb.
Tanis and Cararnon-the half-elf keeping his hood pulled
lo,,v aver his face and ears-walked the streets of Flotsam, watching far two guards whose uniforms might fit them. This
would have been relatively easy :Ear Tanis, but finding a guard whose armor fit the giant Cararnon was more difficult.
Whey both knew they had better find something .quickly. More than once, draconians looked them over suspiciously. Two draconians even flopped them, insisting roughly an knowing their business. Caramon replied in the crude mercenary dialect that they were seeking employment in the Dragon Highlord's army, and the draconians let them go. But both men knew it was only a matter of time before a patrol caught them.
"I wonder what's going on?" Tanis muttered worriedly.