Brothers Majere by Weis, Margaret

Upon escaping Wayreth Forest, the twins returned to Solace, where Raistlin spent several months seeking a cure for his malady. He studied and became expert in the sciences of alchemy and herbal lore and gained greatly in knowledge that would serve him all of his life. Unfortunately, his efforts failed to improve his health. Funds running low, the brothers were forced to leave Solace to seek their fortunes.

Caramon recalls that they intended to cross New Sea, but he is unclear as to why they were traveling to such wild and dangerous lands. Perhaps he himself did not know. Marginal notes in one of the Shalafi’s alchemy texts indicate that Raistlin may have been continuing his search for some magical life-giving elixir.

During this time, Raistlin was also hunting for a true cleric. I venture to speculate that he was not seeking one out of a high-minded search for truth, but—again—in hopes that he would find someone to heal him. (It is, however, interesting to note that, four years later, when he meets Goldmoon, he tells her that her healing powers will not help him. What happened to him in that intervening time period to teach him this harsh lesson? Perhaps, in further explorations through his texts, we will discover the answer.)

3 “Raistlin’s Daughter.” short story, DRAGONLANCE Tales Trilogy, Volume 3

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DRAQONLANCE PRetuOes

Undoubtedly it is due to his bitter disappointment in being unable to find a true cleric that he continues to ferret out and expose charlatans. One of these is the infamous fraud of Larnish {mentioned briefly in this volume). It is shortly after this encounter that Raistlin and Caramon met the Knight of Solamnia and rid Death’s Keep of its curse. Continuing on their way to New Sea, they enter Mereklar.

This adventure is not the end of the brothers’ journey-ings. They would travel another four years before the outbreak of the War of the Lance. My teaching, as well as the work involved in being Head of the Order of Black Robes, leaves me little time to pursue my research but, hopefully, at some later date, I will be able to decipher the remainder of the Shalafi’s notes. Like you, Bertram, I must admit that I find the subject fascinating.

My Shalafi was undoubtedly the most skilled and powerful wizard who has ever lived. I am pleased that you are setting down the true facts concerning his life. It is my profound hope that future generations will remember and honor the tragedy and ultimate triumph of Raistlin Majere.

I hope that this is helpful to you. I trust the messenger will deliver it to you safely. (If he leaves any slime on the parchment, you may remove it with a solution of lemon water and vinegar.)

Please extend my greetings and respect to Aslinus.

*fe?

WANTED

PuolQQue

C/?c boy lookeo up fnoM tjis play 1o see two strangers, standing at the crossroads, reading the sign. Keeping his eyes on them, the boy continued what he was doing—sailing a makeshift boat in a puddle. But when the larger and stronger of the two men—a warrior, by the number of weapons he carried—ripped the parchment off the post, the boy left the boat to sink slowly into the muddy water. Hidden by a scraggly shrub, the boy crept close to listen.

“Hey, Raist, look at this!” yelled the big man to the other, who stood only a few feet away.

The boy stared at this second man with intense inter-

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DRAQONLANCE Pneluoes

est. The child had never seen a mage before, he’d only heard about them in tales. He had no trouble recognizing a wizard, however, by his outlandish robes—their color red as blood—the mysterious pouches and feathered amulets that hung from the mage’s simple rope belt, and a black wooden staff on which he leaned when he walked.

“Stop bellowing! I’m not deaf. What have you found?” the mage spoke irritably.

“It says . . . here, you read it.” The warrior handecT over the notice. He watched as the mage studied it. “Well, what do you think? Unless, of course, it’s outdated.”

“This posting is recent. The parchment’s not even weatherworn yet.”

“Oh, yeah. So maybe this is what we’re looking for, huh?”

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