“Spectral minions,” the mage whispered without taking his eyes from them. “We are fortunate.”
“Fortunate?” Tanis repeated increduously. “Why?”
“These are the spirits of men who gave their pledge to perform some task. They failed in that pledge, and it is their doom to keep performing the same task over and over until they win their release and find true rest in death.”
“How in the name of the Abyss does that make us fortunate?” Tanis whispered harshly, releasing his fear in anger. “Perhaps they pledged to rid the forest of all who entered!”
“That is possible”-Raistlin flickered a glance at the half-elf-“though I do not think it likely. We will find out.”
Before Tanis could react, the mage stepped away from the group and faced the spectres.
“Raist!” Caramon said in a strangled voice, starting to shove forward.
“Keep him back, Tanis,” Raistlin commanded harshly. “Our lives depend on this.”
Gripping the warrior’s arm, Tanis asked Raistlin, “What are you going to do?”
“I am going to cast a spell that will enable us to communicate with them. I will perceive their thoughts. They will speak through me.”
The mage threw his head back, his hood slipping off. He stretched out his arms and began to speak. “Ast bilak par-bilakar. Suh tangus moipar!”he murmured, then repeated that phrase three times. As Raistlin spoke, the crowd of warriors parted and a figure more awesome and terrifying than the rest appeared. The spectre was taller than the rest and wore a shimmering crown. His pallid armor was richly decorated with dark jewels. His face showed the most terrible grief and anguish. He advanced upon Raistlin.
Caramon choked and averted his eyes. Tanis dared not speak or cry out, fearful of disturbing the mage and breaking the spell. The spectre raised a fleshless hand, reached out slowly to touch the young mage. Tanis trembled-the spectre’s touch meant certain death. But Raistlin, entranced, did not move. Tanis wondered if he even saw the chill hand coming toward his heart. Then Raistlin spoke.
“You who have been long dead, use my living voice to tell us of your bitter sorrow. Then give us leave to pass through this forest, for our purpose is not evil, as you will see if you read our hearts.”
The spectre’s hand halted abruptly. The pale eyes searched Raistlin’s face. Then, shimmering in the darkness, the spectre bowed before the mage. Tanis sucked in his breath, he had sensed Raistlin’s power, but this. . . !
Raistlin returned the bow, then moved to stand beside the spectre. His face was nearly as pale as that of the ghostly figure next to him. The living dead and the dead living, Tanis thought, shuddering.
When Raistlin spoke, his voice was no longer the wheezing whisper of the fragile mage. It was deep and dark and commanding and rang through the forest. It was cold and hollow and might have come from below the ground. “Who are you who trespass in Darken Wood?”
Tanis tried to answer, but his throat had dried up completely.
Caramon, next to him, couldn’t even lift his head. Then Tanis felt movement at his side. The kender! Cursing himself, he reached out to grab for Tasslehoff, but it was too late. The small figure, topknot dancing, ran out into the light of Raistlin’s staff and stood before the spectre.
Tasslehoff bowed respectfully. “I am Tasslehoff Burrfoot,” he said. “My friends”-he waved his small hand at the group- “call me Tas. Who are you?”
“It matters little,” the sepulchral voice intoned. “Know only that we are warriors from a time long forgotten.”
“Is it true that you broke a pledge and that’s how you come to be here?” Tas asked with interest.
“It is. We pledged to guard this land. Then came the smoldering mountain from the heavens. The land was ripped apart. Evil things crept out from the bowels of the earth and we dropped our swords and fled in terror until bitter death overtook us. We have been called to fulfill our oath as evil once more stalks the land. And here will we remain until evil is driven back and balance is restored again.”
Suddenly Raistlin gave a shriek and flung back his head, his eyes rolling upwards until the watching companions could see only the whites. His voice became a thousand voices crying out at once. This startled even the kender, who stepped back a pace and looked around uneasily for Tanis.