Before Raistlin could answer, Riverwind spoke angrily. “You have no proof it was humans!”
Alhana swept the Plainsman an imperious glance. She did not reply, considering it beneath her to argue with a barbarian.
Tanis sighed. The Plainsman had little use for elves. It had taken long days before he had come to trust Tanis, longer for Gilthanas and Laurana. Now, just as Riverwind seemed to be able to overcome his inherited prejudices, Alhana with her equal prejudices had inflicted new wounds.
“Very well, Raistlin,” Tanis said quietly, “tell us what you know of the dragon orbs.”
“Bring my drink, Caramon,” the mage ordered. Bringing the cup of hot water as commanded, Caramon set it before his brother. Raistlin propped himself up an one elbow and mixed herbs into the water. The strange, acrid odor filled the air. Raistlin, grimacing, sipped the bitter mixture as he talked.
“During the Age of Dreams, when those of my order were respected and revered upon Krynn, there were five Towers of High Sorcery.” The mage’s voice sank, as if recalling painful memories. His brother sat staring at the rock floor of the cave, his face grave. Tanis, seeing the shadow fall across both twins, wondered again whale had happened within the Tower of High Sorcery to change their lives so drastically. It was useless to ask, he knew. Both had been forbidden to discuss it.
Raistlin paused a moment before he continued, then drew a deep breath. “When the Second Dragon Wars came, the highest of my order met together in the greatest of the Towers-the Tower of Palanthas-and created the dragon orbs.”
Raistlin’s eyes. grew unfocused, his whispering voice ceased a moment. When he spoke next, it was as if recounting a moment he was reliving in his mind. Even his voice changed, becoming stranger, deeper, clearer. He no longer coughed. Caramon looked at him in astonishment.
“Those of the White Robes entered the chamber at the top of the Tower first, as the silver moon, Solinari, rose. Then Lunitari appeared in the sky, dripping with blood, and those of the Red Robes entered. Finally the black disk, Nutari, a hole of darkness among the stars, could be seen by those who sought it, and the Black Robes walked into the chamber.
“It was a strange moment in history, when all enmity between the Robes was suppressed. It would come but one more time in the world, when the wizards joined together in the Lost Battles, but that time could not be foreseen. It was enough to know that, for now, the great evil must be destroyed. For at last we had seen that evil was intent on destroying all the magic of the world, so that only its own would survive! Some there were among the Black Robes, who might have tried to ally with this great power”-Tanis saw Raistlin’s eyes burn-“but soon realized they would not be masters of it, only its slaves. And so the dragon orbs were born, on a night when all three moons were full in the sky.”
“Three moons?” Tanis asked softly, but Raistlin did not hear him and continued to speak in the voice not his own.
“Great and powerful magic was worked that night-so powerful that few could withstand it and they collapsed, their physical and mental strength drained. But that morning, five dragon orbs stood upon pedestals, glistening with light, dark with shadows. All but one were taken from Palanthas and carried, in great peril, to each of the other four Towers. Here they helped rid the world of the Queen of Darkness.”
The feverish gleam faded from Raistlin’s eyes. His shoulders slumped, his voice sank, and he began to cough, violently. The others stared at him in breathless silence.
Finally Tanis cleared his throat. “What do you mean, three moons?”
Raistlin looked up dully. “Three moons?” he whispered. “I know nothing of three moons. What were we discussing?”
“Dragon orbs. You told us how they were created. Now did you-” Tanis stopped, seeing Raistlin sink onto his pallet.
“I have told you nothing.” Raistlin said irritably. “What are you talking about?”
Tanis glanced at the others. Riverwind shook his head. Caramon bit his lip and looked away, his face drawn with worry.
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