Dragons of Winter Noght by Weis, Margaret

He found the Dragon Highlord standing upon an outcropping of rock, an imposing figure in horned dragonhelm and blue dragon-scale armor. The Highlord, cape whipping in the chill wind, was gazing with intense interest across the great flat plain far below.

“Come, Lord, return to your tent.” And let me return to the hot springs, Skie added mentally. “This chill wind cuts to the bone. Why are you out here anyway?”

Skie might have supposed the Highlord was reconnoitering, planning the disposition of troops, the attacks of the dragonflights. But that was not the case. The occupation of Tarsis had long been planned-planned, in fact, by another Dragon Highlord, for this land was under the command of the red dragons.

The blue dragons and their Dragon Highlords controlled the north, yet here I stand, in these frigid southlands, Skie thought irritably. And behind me is an entire flight of blue dragons. He turned his head slightly, looking down upon his fellows beating their wings in the early morning, grateful for the hot springs’ warmth which took the chill from their tendons.

Fools, Skie thought scornfully. All they’re waiting for is a signal from the Highlord to attack. To light the skies and burn the cities with their deadly bolts of lightning are all they care about. Their faith in the Dragon Highlord is implicit. As well it might be, Skie admitted-their master had led them to victory after victory in the north, and they had not lost one of their number.

They leave it to me to ask the questions-because I am the Highlord’s mount, because I am closest to the Highlord. Well, so be it. We understand each other, the Highlord and I.

‘We have no reason to be in Tarsis.” Skie spoke his feelings plainly. He did not fear the Highlord. Unlike many of the dragons in Krynn who served their masters with grudging reluctance, knowing themselves to be the true rulers, Skie served his master out of respect-and love. “The reds don’t want us here, that’s certain. And we’re not needed. That soft city that beckons you so strangely will fall easily. No army. They swallowed the bait and marched off to the frontier.”

“We are here because my spies. tell me they are here-or will be shortly” was the Highlord’s answer. The voice was low but carried even aver the biting wind.

“They… they…” grumbled the dragon, shivering and moving restlessly along the ridge. “We leave the war in the north, waste valuable time, lose a fortune in steel. And for what-a handful of itinerant adventurers?”

“The wealth is nothing to me, you know that. I could buy Tarsis if it pleased me.” The Dragon Highlord stroked the dragon’s neck with an ice-caked leather glove that creaked with the powerful movements. “The war in the north is going well. Lord Ariakus did not mind my leaving. Bakaris is a skilled young commander and knows my armies nearly as well as I do. And do not forget, Skie, these are more than vagabonds. These ‘itinerant adventurers’ killed Verminaard.”

“Bah! The man had already dug his own grave. He was obsessed, font sight of the true purpose.” The dragon flicked a glance at his master. “The same might be said of others.”

“Obsessed; Yes, Verminaard was obsessed, and there are those who should be taking that obsession snore seriously. He was a cleric, he knew what damage the knowledge of the true gods, once spread among the people, can do us,” answered the Highlord. “Now, according to reports, the people have a leader in this human called Elistan, who has become a cleric of Paladine. Worshipers of Mishakal bring true healing back to the land. No, Verminaard was farseeing. There is great danger here. We should recognize and move to stop it-not scoff at it”

The dragon snorted derisively. “This priest -Elistan- doesn’t lead the people. He leads eight hundred wretched humans, former slaves of Verminaard’s in Pax Tharkas. Now they’re holed up in Southgate, with the mountain dwarves.” The dragon settled down on the rock, feeling the morning sun finally bringing a modicum of warmth to his scaled skin. “Besides, our spies report they are traveling to Tarsis even as we speak. By tonight, this Elistan will be ours and that will be that. So much for the servant of Paladine!”