Dragons of Winter Noght by Weis, Margaret

River of the Dean. The legend of the Silver Dragon.

The night was still and cold. Storm clouds blotted out the light of the moons and stars. There was no rain, no wind, just an oppressive sense of waiting. Laurana felt that all of nature was alert, wary, fearful. And behind her, the elves slept, cocooned in a web of their own petty fears and hatreds. What horrible winged creature would burst from that cocoon, she wondered.

The companions had little trouble slipping past the elven

guards. Recognizing Theros, the guards stood and chatted amiably with him, while the others crept through the woods around them. They reached the river in the first chill light of dawn.

“And how are we to get across?” the dwarf asked, staring out at the water gloomily. “I don’t think much of boats, but they beat swimming.”

“That should not be a problem.” Theros turned to Laurana and said, “Ask your little friend.” nodding at Silvara.

Startled, Laurana looked at the Wilder elf, as did the others. Silvara, embarrassed at so many eyes upon her, flushed deeply, bowing her head. “Kargai Sargaron is right.” she murmured. “Wait here, within the shadows of the trees.”

She left them and ran lightly to the riverbank with a wild, free grace, enchanting to watch. Laurana noticed that Gilthanas’s gaze, in particular, lingered upon the Wilder elf.

Silvara put her fingers to her lips and whistled like the call of a bird. She waited a moment, then repeated the whistle three times. Within minutes, her call was answered, echoing across the water from the opposite bank of the river.

Satisfied, Silvara returned to the group. Laurana saw that, though Silvara spoke to Theros, the girl’s eyes were drawn to Gilthanas. Finding him staring at her, she blushed and looked quickly back at Theros.

“Kargai Sargaron.” she said hurriedly, “my people are coming, but you should be with me to meet them and explain things.” Silvara’s blue eyes-Laurana could see them clearly in the morning light-went to Sturm and Derek. The Wilder elf shook her head slightly. “They will not be happy about bringing these humans to our land, nor these elves either, I am afraid,” she said, with an apologetic glance at Laurana and Gilthanas.

“I will talk to them.” Theros said. Gazing across the lake, he gestured. “Here they come now.”

Laurana saw two black shapes sliding across the sky-gray river. The Kaganesti must keep watch there constantly, she realized. They recognized Silvara’s call. Odd-for a slave to have such freedom. If escape was this easy, why did Silvara stay among the Silvanesti? It didn’t make any sense-. . . unless escape was not her purpose.

“What does ‘Kargai Sargaron’ mean?” she asked Theros abruptly.

” ‘He of the Silver Arm’ ” Theros answered, smiling..

“They seem to trust you.”

“Yes. I told you I spend a good part of my time wandering. That is not quite true. I spend much time among Silvara’s people.” The smith’s dusky face creased in a scowl. “Meaning no disrespect, elflady, but you have no idea what hardships your people are causing these wild ones: shooting the game or driving it away, enslaving the young with gold and silver and steel.” Theros heaved an angry sigh. “I have done what I could. I showed them how to forge hunting weapons and tools. But the winter will be long and hard, I fear. Already, game is becoming scarce. If it comes to starving or killing their elven kin-”

“Maybe if I stayed.” Laurana murmured, “I could help-” Then she realized that was ridiculous. What could she do? She wasn’t even accepted by her own people!

“You can’t be in all places at the same time.” Sturm said. “The elves must solve their problems, Laurana. You are doing the right thing.”

“I know.” she said, sighing. She turned her head, looking behind her, toward the Qualinesti camp. “I was just like them, Sturm,” she said, shivering. “My beautiful tiny world had revolved around me for so long that I thought I was the center of the universe. I ran after Tanis because I was certain I could make him love me. Why shouldn’t he? Everyone else did. And then I discovered the world didn’t revolve around me. It didn’t even care about me! I saw suffering and death. I was forced to kill”-she stared down at her hands-“or be killed. I saw real love. Love like Riverwind’s and Goldmoon’s, love that was willing to sacrifice everything-even life itself. I felt very petty and very small. And now that’s how my people seem to me. Petty and small. I used to think they were perfect, but now I understand how Tanis felt-and why he left.”