Sixty feet wide at the base and almost half again as high, the gate was operated by a huge mechanism that forced it in and out of the mountain. At least forty feet thick in its center, the gate was as indestructible as any known on Krynn, except for the one matching it in the north. Once shut, they could not be distinguished from the faces of the mountain, such was the craftsmanship of the ancient dwarven masons.
Yet, since the arrival of the humans at Southgate, torches had been set about the opening, allowing the men, women, and children access to the outside air-a human need that seemed an unaccountable weakness to the subterranean dwarves.
As Tanis stood there, staring into the woods beyond the meadow and finding no peace in their quiet beauty, Sturm, Elistan, and Laurana joined him. The three had been talking obviously of him-and fell into an uncomfortable silence.
“How solemn you are,” Laurana said to Tanis softly, coming near and putting her hand on his arm. “you believe Raistlin is right, don’t you, Tanthal-Tanis?” Laurana blushed. His human name still came clumsily to her lips, yet she knew him well enough now to understand that his elven name only brought him pain.
Tanis looked down at the small, slender hand on his arm and gently put his own over it. Only a few months earlier the touch would have irritated him, causing confusion and guilt as he wrestled with the love for a human woman against what he told himself was a childhood infatuation with this elfmaiden. But now the touch of Laurana’s hand filled him with warmth and peace, even as it stirred his blood. He pondered these new, disturbing feelings as he responded to her question.
“I have long found Raistlin’s advice sound,” he said, knowing how this would upset them. Sure enough, Sturm’s face darkened. Elistan frowned. “And I think he is right this time. We have won a battle, but we are a long way from winning the war. We know it is being fought far north, in Solamnia. I think we may safely assume that it is not for the conquest of Abanasinia alone that the forces of darkness are fighting.”
“But you are only speculating!” Elistan argued. “Do not let the darkness that hangs around the young wage cloud your thinking. He may be right, but that is no reason to give up hope, to give up trying! Tarsis is a large seaport city-at least according to all we know of it. There we’ll find those who can tell us if the war encompasses the world. If so, then surely there still must be havens where we can find peace.”
“Listen to Elistan, Tanis,” Laurana said gently. “He is wise. When our people left Qualinesti, they did not flee blindly. They traveled to a peaceful haven. My father had a plan, though he dared not reveal it-”
Laurana broke off, startled to- see the effect of her speech. Abruptly Tanis snatched his arm from her touch and turned his gaze on Elistan, his eyes filled with anger.
“Raistlin says hope is the denial of reality.” Tanis stated coldly. Then, seeing Elistan’s care-worn face regard him with sorrow, the half-elf smiled wearily. “I apologize, Elistan. I am tired, that’s all. Forgive me. Your suggestion is good. We’ll travel to Tarsis with hope, if nothing else.”
Elistan nodded and turned to leave. “Are you coming, Laurana? I know you are tired, my dear, but we have a great deal to do before I can turn the leadership aver to the Council in my absence.”
“I’ll be with you presently, Elistan;” Laurana said, flushing. “I-I want to speak a moment with Tanis.’
Elistan gave them both an appraising, understanding look, then walked through the darkened gateway with Sturm. Tanis began dousing the torches, preparatory- to the closing of the gate. Laurana stood near the entrance, her expression growing cold as it became obvious Tanis was ignoring her.
“What is the matter with you?” she said finally. “It almost sounds as if you are taking that Clark-sauled mage’s part against Elistan, one of the best and wisest humans I have ever met!”
“Don’t judge Raistlin, Laurana,” Tanis said harshly, thrusting a torch into a bucket of water, The light vanished with a hiss.
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