Dragons of Spring Dawning by Weis, Margaret

“I haven’t died yet, like I did in the dream,” Tas said helpfully. “And I’ve picked lots of locks! Well, not lots, but a few here and there, and none were poisoned. Besides, Laurana, Tanis wouldn’t-”

Flint shot Tas a warning glance. The kender lapsed into silence. But Laurana had seen the glance and understood. Her lips tightened.

“Yes, he would. You both know it. He loves her.” Laurana was quiet a moment, then, “I’m going. I’ll exchange Bakaris.”

Flint heaved a sigh. He had seen this coming. “Laurana-”

“Wait a minute, Flint,” she interrupted. “If Tanis received a message saying you were dying, what would he do?”

“That’s not the point,” Flint mumbled.

“If he had to go into the Abyss itself, past a thousand dragons, he’d come to you-”

“Perhaps and perhaps not,” said Flint gruffly. “Not if he was leader of an army. Not if he had responsibilities, people depending on him. He’d know I’d understand-”

Laurana’s face might have been carved of marble, so impassive and pure and cold was her expression. “I never asked for these responsibilities. I never wanted them. We can make it look as if Bakaris escaped-”

“Don’t do it, Laurana!” Tas begged. “He’s the officer who brought back Derek and Lord Alfred’s body at the High Clerist’s Tower, the officer you shot in the arm with the arrow. He hates you, Laurana! I-I saw the way he looked at you the day we captured him!”

Flint’s brows drew together. ‘The lords and your brother are still below. We’ll discuss the best way to handle this-”

“I’m not discussing anything,” Laurana stated, lifting her chin in the old imperious gesture the dwarf knew so well. “I’m the general. It’s my decision.”

“Maybe you should ask someone’s advice-”

Laurana regarded the dwarf with bitter amusement. “Whose?” she asked. “Gilthanas’s? What would I say? That Kitiara and I want to exchange lovers? No, we’ll tell no one. What would the knights have done with Bakaris anyway? Execute him according to knightly ritual. They owe me something for all I’ve done. I’ll take Bakaris as payment.”

“Laurana”- Flint tried desperately to think of some way to penetrate her frozen mask-“there is a protocol that must be followed in prisoner exchange. You’re right. You are the general, and you must know how important this is! You were in your father’s court long enough-” That was a mistake. The dwarf knew it as soon as he opened his mouth and he groaned inwardly.

“I am no longer in my father’s court!” Laurana flashed. “And to the Abyss with protocol!” Rising to her feet, she regarded the Flint coldly, as if he were someone she had just met. The dwarf was, in fact, strongly reminded of her as he had seen her in Qualinesti, the evening she had run away from her home to follow after Tanis in childish infatuation.

“Thank you for bringing this message. I have a great deal to do before morning. If you have any regard for Tanis, please return to your rooms and say nothing to anyone.”

Tasslehoff cast Flint an alarmed glance. Flushing, the dwarf tried hastily to undo the damage.

“Now, Laurana,” he said gruffly, “don’t take my words to heart. If you’ve made your decision, I’ll support you. I’m just being an old crotchety grandfather, that’s all. I worry about you, even if you are a general. And you should take me with you-like the note says-”

“Me, too!” cried Tas indignantly.

Flint glared at him, but Laurana didn’t notice. Her expression softened. “Thank you, Flint. You too, Tas,” she said wearily. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. But I really believe I should go alone.”

“No,” Flint said stubbornly. “I care about Tanis as much as you. If there’s any chance he is dy-” The dwarf choked and wiped his hand across his eyes. Then he swallowed the lump in his throat. “I want to be with him.”

“Me, too,” mumbled Tas, subdued.

“Very well.” Laurana smiled sadly. “I can’t blame you. And I’m sure he’d want you to be there.”

She sounded so certain, so positive she would see Tanis. The dwarf saw it in her eyes. He made one final effort. “Laurana, what if it’s a trap. An ambush-“