Dragons of Winter Noght by Weis, Margaret

“We were speaking of the dragon orbs.” Goldmoon said. “You were going to tell us what you knew of them.”

Raistlin wiped blood from has mouth. “I do not know much,” he said wearily, shrugging. “The dragon orbs were created by the high mages. Only the most powerful of my order could use them. It was said that great evil would came to those not strong in magic who tried to command the orbs. Beyond that, I know nothing. All knowledge of the dragon orbs perished during the Lost Battles. Two, it was said, were destroyed in the Fall of the Towers of High Sorcery, destroyed rather than let the rabble have them. Knowledge of the other three died with their wizards.” His voice died. Sinking back onto his pallet, exhausted, he fell asleep.

“The Lost Battles, three moons. Raistlin talking with a strange voice. None of this makes sense.” Tanis muttered.

“I don’t believe any of it!” Riverwind said coldly. He shook out their furs, preparing to sleep.

Tanis was starting to follow his example when he saw Alhana creep from the shadows of the cave and came to stand next to Raistlin. Staring dawn at the sleeping mage, her hands twisted together.

“Strong in magic!” she whispered in a voice filled with fear. “My father!”

Tanis looked at her in sudden understanding,

“You don’t think your father tried to use the orb?”

“I am afraid.” Alhana whispered, wringing her hands. “He said he alone could fight the evil and keep it from our land. He must have meant-” Swiftly she bent down near Raistlin. “Wake him!” she commanded, her black eyes flaring. “I must know! Wake him and make him tell me what the danger is!”

Caramon pulled her back, gently but firmly. Alhana glared at him, her beautiful face twisted in fear and rage, and it seemed for a moment as if she might strike him, but Tanis reached her side and caught hold off her hand.

“Lady Alhana,” he said calmly, “it would do no good to wake him. He has told us everything he knows. As for that other voice, he obviously remembers nothing about what it said.”

“I’ve seen it happen to Raist before,” Caramon said in low tones, “as if he becomes someone else. But it always leaves him exhausted and he never remembers.”

Alhana jerked her hand away from Tanis’s, her face resuming its cold, pure, marble stillness. She whirled and walked to the front of the cave. Catching hold of the blanket Riverwind had hung to hide the fire’s light, she nearly tore it down as she flung it aside and skulked outdoors.

“I’ll stand first watch.” Tanis told Caramon. “You get some sleep.”

“I’ll stay up with Raist awhile.” the big man said, spreading out his pallet next to his frail twins. Tanis followed Alhana outside.

The griffons slept soundly, their heads buried on the soft feathers of their necks, taloned front feet clutching the cliff edge securely. For a moment he could not find Alhana in the darkness, then he saw her, leaning against a huge boulder, weeping bitterly, her head buried in her arms.

The proud Silvanesti woman would never forgive him if he saw her weak and vulnerable. Tanis ducked back behind the blanket.

“I’ll strand watch! ” he called out loudly before he walked outside again. Lifting the blanket, he saw, without seeming to, Alhana stark up and wipe her hands hurriedly across her face. She turned her back to him, and he walked slowly toward her: giving her time to pull herself together.

“The cave was stifling.” she said in a low voice. “I could not bear it.. I had to come out for a breath of air.”

“I have xxxxx watch,” Tanis said. He paused, then added, “You seem afraid your father might have tried to use this dragon orb. Surely he would know its history. If I remember what I know of your people, he was a magic-user.”

“He knew where the orb came from.” Alhana said; her voice quivering before she could regain control. “The young mage was right when he spoke of the Last Battles and the destruction of the Tower. But he was wrong when he said the other three orbs were to. -One was brought is Silvanesti by my father for safe-keeping.”