He pleaded with him to turn his back on the darkness.”
“And what happened?” Tanis asked, though he already
guessed the answer.
“It came back,” Tika whispered. “Unopened. The seal wasn’t
even broken. And on the outside was written, ‘I have no
brother. I know no one named Caramon.’ And it was signed,
Raistlin!”
“Raistlin!” Crysania looked at Tika, as if seeing her for the
first time. Her gray eyes were wide and startled as they went
from the red-haired young woman to Tanis, then to the huge
warrior on the floor, who belched comfortably in his drunken
sleep. “Caramon… This is Caramon Majere? This is his
brother? The twin you were telling me about? The man who
could guide me -”
“I’m sorry, Revered Daughter,” Tanis said, flushing. “I had no
idea he -”
“But Raistlin is so… intelligent, powerful. I thought his
twin must be the same. Raistlin is sensitive, he exerts such
strong control over himself and those who serve him. He is a
perfectionist, while this” – Crysania gestured – “this pathetic
wretch, while he deserves our pity and our prayers, is -”
“Your ‘sensitive and intelligent perfectionist’ had a hand in
making this man the ‘pathetic wretch’ you see, Revered Daugh-
ter,” Tanis said acidly, keeping his anger carefully under con-
trol.
“Perhaps it was the other way around,” Crysania said,
regarding Tanis coldly. “Perhaps it was for lack of love that
Raistlin turned from the light to walk in darkness.”
Tika looked up at Crysania, an odd expression in her eyes.
“Lack of love?” she repeated gently.
Caramon moaned in his sleep and began thrashing about on
the floor. Tika rose quickly to her feet.
“We better get him home.” She glanced up to see Riverwind’s
tall figure appear in the doorway, then turned to Tanis. “I’ll see
you in the morning, won’t 17 Couldn’t you stay… just over-
night?”
Tanis looked at her pleading eyes and felt like biting off his
tongue before he answered. But there was no help for it. “I’m
sorry, Tika,” he said, taking her hands. “I wish I could, but I
must go. It is a long ride to Qualinost from here, and I dare not
be late. The fate of two kingdoms, perhaps, depends on my
being there.”
“I understand,” Tika said softly. “This isn’t your problem
anyway. I’ll cope.”
Tanis could have torn out his beard with frustration. He
longed to stay and help, if he even could help. At least he might
talk with Caramon, try to get some sense into that thick skull.
But Porthios would take it as a personal affront if Tanis did not
come to the funeral, which would affect not only his personal
relationships with Laurana’s brother, but would affect the
treaty of alliance being negotiated between Qualinesti and
Solamnia.
And then, his eyes going to Crysania, Tanis realized he had
another problem. He groaned inwardly. He couldn’t take her to
Qualinost. Porthios had no use for human clerics.
“Look,” Tanis said, suddenly getting an idea, “I’ll come back,
after the funeral.” Tika’s eyes brightened. He turned to Lady
Crysania. “I’ll leave you here, Revered Daughter. You’ll be safe
in this town, in the Inn, Then I can escort you back to Palan-
thas since your journey has failed -”
“My journey has not failed,” Crysania said resolutely. “I will
continue as I began. I intend to go to the Tower of High Sorcery
at Wayreth, there to council with Par-Salian of the White
Robes.”
Tanis shook his head. “I cannot take you there,” he said.
“And Caramon obviously is incapable. Therefore I suggest -”
“Yes,” Crysania interrupted complacently. “Caramon is
clearly incapacitated. Therefore I will wait for the kender
friend of yours to meet me here with the person he was sent to
find, then I will continue on my own.”
“Absolutely not!” Tanis shouted. Riverwind raised his eye-
brows, reminding Tanis who he was addressing. With an
effort, the half-elf regained control. “My lady, you have no
idea of the danger! Besides those dark things that pursued us –
and I think we all know who sent them – I’ve heard Caramon’s
stories about the Forest of Wayreth. It’s darker still! We’ll go