Laurana couldn't answer. Her lungs were on fire. Blue and gold stars burst before her eyes. She was not the only one suffering. Sturms breath rasped in his throat. His grasp on her arm was weak and his hand shook. Even the strong smith was blowing like a winded horse. Rounding a boulder, they found the dwarf on his knees, Tasslehoff trying vainly to lift him.
"Must . . . rest . . ." Laurana said, her throat aching. She started to sit down, but strong hands grabbed her.
"Not" Silvara said urgently. "Not here! Just a few more feet! Come on! Keep going!"
The Wilder elf dragged Laurana forward. Dimly she was aware of Sturm helping Flint to his feet, the dwarf groaning and swearing. Between them, Theros and Sturm dragged the dwarf up the trail. Tasslehoff stumbled behind, too tired even to talk.
Finally they came to the top of the pass. Laurana slumped into the snow, past caring what happened to her. The rest sank down beside her, all except Silvara who was staring below them.
Where does she get the strength? Laurana thought through a bleak haze of pain. But she was too exhausted to question. At the moment, she was too tired to care whether the elves found her or not. Silvara turned to face them.
"We must split up;' she said decisively.
Laurana stared at her, uncomprehending.
"No;' Gilthanas began, trying without success to get to his feet.
"Listen to me!" Silvara said urgently, kneeling down. "The elves are too close. They will catch us for certain, then we must either fight or surrender:'
"Fight;' Derek muttered savagely.
"There is a better way," Silvara hissed. "You, knight, must take the dragon orb to Sancrist alone! We will draw off the pursuit:'
For a moment no one spoke. Everyone stared silently at Silvara, considering this new possibility. Derek lifted his head, his eyes gleaming. Laurana flashed a look of alarm at Sturm.
"I do not think one person should be charged with such a grave responsibilitiy;' Sturm said, his breath coming haltingly.
"Two of us should go-at least:'
"Meaning yourself, Brightblade?" Derek asked angrily.
"Yes, of course, Sturm should go;' Laurana said, "if anyone:'
"I can draw a map through the mountains;" Silvara said eagerly. "The way is not difficult. The outpost of the knights is only a two-day journey from here:'
"But we can't fly," Sturm protested. "What about our tracks Surely the elves will see we've split up:'
"An avalanche;' Silvara suggested. "Theros throwing the boulders down behind us gave me the idea:' She glanced up. They followed her gaze. Snow-covered peaks towered above them, the snow hanging over the edges.
"I can cause an avalanche with my magic;' Gilthanas said slowly. "It will obliterate everyone's tracks:'
"Not entirely," cautioned Silvara. "We must allow ours to be found once again-though not too obviously. After all, we want them to follow us:"
"But where will we go?" asked Laurana. "I don't intend to wander aimlessly through the wilderness:"
– I-I know a place." Silvara faltered, her gaze dropping to the ground. "It is secret, known only to my people. I will take you there:' She clasped her hand together. "Please, we must hurry. There isn't much time!"
"I will take the orb to Sancrist;' Derek said, "and I will go alone. Sturm should go with your group. You'll need a fighter:'
"We have fighters;" Laurana said. "Theros, my brother, the dwarf. I, myself, have seen my share of battle-"
"And me;" piped Tasslehoff.
"And the kender," Laurana added grimly. "Besides, it will not come to bloodshed:' Her eyes saw Sturm's troubled .face and wondered what he was thinking. Her voice softened. "The decision is up to Sturm, of course. He must do .as he believes best, but I think he should accompany Derek:'
"I agree;' muttered Flint. "After all, we're not the ones who are going to be in danger. We'll be safer without the dragon orb. It's the orb the elves want:'
"Yes;" agreed Silvara, her voice soft. "We'll be safer without the orb. It is you who will be in danger:'
"Then my way is clear;" Sturm said. "I will go with Derek:'
"And if I order you to stay behind?" Derek demanded.
"You have no authority over me;' Sturm said, his brown eyes dark. "Have you forgotten? I am not a knight:"
There was a painful, profound silence. Derek stared at Sturm intently.
"No," he said, "and if I have my way, you never will be!"
Sturm flinched, as if Derek had struck him a physical blow. Then he stood up, sighing heavily.
Derek had already begun to gather his gear. Sturm moved more slowly, picking up his bedroll with thoughtful deliberation. Laurana pulled herself to her feet and went to Sturm.
"Here;' she said, reaching into her pack. "You'll need food-"
"You could come with us;" Sturm said in low tones as she divided up their supplies. "Tanis knows we were going to Sancrist. He will come there, too, if possible:"
"You're right;' Laurana said, her eyes brightening. "Perhaps that would be a good idea-" Then her eyes went to Silvara. The Wilder elf held the dragon orb, still shrouded in its cloak. Silvara's eyes were closed, almost as if she were communing with some unseen spirit. Sighing, Laurana shook her head. "No, I've got to stay with her, Sturm;' she said softly. "Something's not right. I don't understand-"she broke off, unable to articulate her thoughts. "What about Derek?" she asked instead. "Why is he so insistent on going alone? The dwarf's right about the danger. If the elves capture you, without us, they won't hesitate to kill you:'
Sturm's face was drawn, bitter. "Can you ask? Lord Derek Crownguard returns alone out of horrifying dangers, bearing with him the coveted dragon orb-" Sturm shrugged.
"But there's so much at stake;" Laurana protested.
"You're right, Laurana," Sturm said harshly. "There's a lot at stake. More than you know-the leadership of the Knights of Solamnia. I can't explain it now. . . :"
"Come along, Brightblade, if you're coming!" Derek snarled.
Sturm took the food, stowing it in his pack. "Farewell, Laurana," he said, bowing to her with the quiet gallantry that marked all his actions.
"Farewell, Sturm, my friend;" she whispered, putting her
arms around the knight.
He held her closely, then kissed her gently on the forehead.
"We will give the orb to the wise men to study. The Council of Whitestone will meet soon;' he said. "The elves will be invited to attend, since they are advisory members. You must come to Sancrist as soon as possible, Laurana. Your presence will be needed:'
"I'll be there, the gods willing;' Laurana said, her eyes going to Silvara, who was handing Derek the dragon orb. An expression of inexpressible relief flitted over Silvara's face when Derek turned to go.
Sturm said good-bye, then he plunged into the snow after Derek. The companions saw a flash of light as his shield caught the sun.
Suddenly Laurana took a step forward. "Wait!" she cried. "I've got to stop them. They should take the dragonlance, too:'
"No!" Silvara shouted, running to block Laurana's path.
Angrily, Laurana reached out to shove the girl aside, then she saw Silvara's face and her hand stopped.
"What are you doing, Silvara?" Laurana asked. "Why did you send them off? Why were you so eager to split us up? Why give them the orb and not the lance-"
Silvara didn't answer. She simply shrugged and stared at Laurana with eyes bluer than midnight. Laurana felt her will being drained by those blue, blue eyes. She was reminded terrifyingly of Raistlin.
Gilthanas, too, stared at Silvara with a perplexed and worried expression. Theros stood grim and stern, glancing at Laurana as if beginning to share her doubts. But they. were not able to move. They were completely under Silvara's controlyet what had she done to them? They could only stand and stare at the Wilder elf as she walked calmly over to where Laurana had wearily let fall her pack. Bending down, Silvara unwrapped the broken piece of splintered wood.. Then she raised it in the air.
<
br /> Sunlight flashed on Silvara's silver hair, mimicking the flash from Sturm's shield.
"The dragonlance stays with me;" Silvara said. Glancing swiftly around the spellbound group, she added, "As do you:"
Behind them, the snow rumbled and toppled over the side of the mountain. Cascading down in white sheets, blocking and choking the pass, it obliterated their presence. The echoes of Gilthanas's magical thunder still resounded in the air, or perhaps it was the booming of the rocks as they bounded down the slopes. They could not be certain.
The companions, led by Silvara, traveled the trails east slowly and cautiously, walking where it was rocky, avoiding the snowy patches if at all possible. They walked through each other's footsteps so that the pursuing elves would never know for certain how many were in their party.
They were so careful, in fact, that Laurana grew worried.
"Remember, we want them to find us;" she said to Silvara as they crept across the top of a rocky defile.
"Do not be upset. They will have no trouble finding us;" answered Silvara.
"What makes you so certain?" Laurana started to ask, then she slipped and fell to her hands and knees. Gilthanas helped her stand. Grimacing with pain, she stared at Silvara in silence. None of them, including Theros, trusted the sudden change that had come over the Wilder elf since their parting with the knights. But they had no choice except follow her.
"Because they know our destination," Silvara answered. "You were clever to think I left a sign to them in the cave. I did. Fortunately, you did not find it. Below those sticks you so kindly scattered for me I had drawn a crude map. When they find it, they will think I drew it to show you our destination. You made it look most realistic, Laurana :' Her voice was defiant until she met Gilthanas's eyes.
The elflord turned away from her, his face grave. Silvara faltered. Her voice became pleading. "I did it for a reason-a good reason. I knew then, when I saw the tracks, we would have to split up. You must believe me!"
"What about the dragon orb? What were you .doing with it?" Laurana demanded.
"N-nothing;" Silvara stammered. "You must trust me!"
"I don't see why;" Laurana returned cc-Idly.
"I have done you no harm-" Silvara began.
"Unless you have sent the knights and the dragon orb into a death trap!" Laurana cried.
"No!" Silvara wrung her hands. "I haven't! Believe me. They will be safe. That has been my plan all along. Nothing must happen to the dragon orb. Above ally. it must not fall into the hands of the elves. That is why I sent it away. That is why I helped you escape!" She glanced around, seeming to sniff the air like an animal. "Come! We have lingered too long."
"If we go with you at all!" Gilthanas sand harshly. 'What do you know about the dragon orb?"
"Don't ask me!" Silvara's voice was suddenly deep and filled with sadness. Her blue eyes stared into Gilthanas's with such love that he could not bear to face her. He shook his head, avoiding her gaze. Silvara caught hold of his arm. "Please, shalori,beloved, trust me! Remember what we talked about-at the pool. You said you had to do these things-defy your people, become an outcast, because of what you believed in your heart. I said that I understood, that I had to do the same. Didn't you believe me?"
Gilthanas stood a moment, his head bowed. "I believed you,,' he said softly. Reaching out, he pulled her to him, kissing her silver hair. "We'll go with you. Come on, Laurana." Arms around each other, the two trudged off through the snow.
Laurana looked blankly at the others. They avoided her eyes. Then Theros came up to her.
"I've lived in this world nearly fifty years, young woman;" he said gently. "Not long to you elves, I know. But we humans live those years-we don't just let them drift by. And I'll tell you this-that girl loves your brother as truly as I've ever seen woman love man. And he loves her. Such love cannot come to evil. For the sake of their love alone, I'd follow them into a dragons den:'
The smith walked after the two.
"For the sake of my cold feet, I'd follow them into a dragon's den, if he'd warm my toes!" Flint stamped on the ground. "Come on, let's go :'Grabbing the kender, he dragged Tas along after the blacksmith.
Laurana remained standing, alone. That she would follow was settled. She had no choice. She wanted to trust Theros's words. One time, she would have believed the world ran that way. But now she knew much she had believed in was false. Why not love?
All she could see in her mind were the swirling colors of the dragon orb.
The companions traveled east, into the gloom of gathering night. Descending from the high mountain pass, they found the air easier to breathe. The frozen rocks gave way to scraggly pines, then the forests closed in around them once more. Silvara confidently led them at last into a fog-shrouded valley.
The Wilder elf no longer seemed to care about covering their tracks. All that concerned her now was speed. She pushed the group on as if racing the sun across the sky. When night fell, they sank into the tree-rimmed darkness, too tired even to eat. But Silvara allowed them only a few hours restless, aching sleep. When the moons rose, the silver and the red, nearing their fullness now, she urged the companions on.
When anyone questioned, wearily, why they hurried, she only answered, "They are near. They are very near."
Each assumed she meant the elves, though Laurana had long ago lost the feeling of dark shapes trailing them.
Dawn broke, but the light was filtered through fog so thick Tasslehoff thought he might grab a handful and store it in one of his pouches. The companions walked close together, even holding hands to avoid being separated. The air grew warmer. They shed their wet and heavy cloaks as they stumbled along a trail that seemed to materialize beneath their feet, out of the fog. Silvara walked before them. The faint light shining from her silver hair was their only guide.
Finally the ground grew level at their feet, the trees cleared, and they walked on smooth grass, brawn with winter. Although none of them could see more than a few feet in the gray fog, they had the impression they were in a wide clearing.
"This is Foghaven Vale;' Silvara replied in answer to their questions. "Long years ago, before the Cataclysm, it was one of the most beautiful places upon Krynn . . . so my people sad.:"
"It might still be beautiful;' Flint grumbled, "if we could see it through this confounded mist:"
"No;' said Silvara sadly. "Like much else in this world, the beauty of Foghaven has vanished. Once the fortress of Foghaven floated above the mist as if floating an a cloud. The rising sun colored the mists pink in the morning, burned them off at midday so that the soaring spires of the fortress could be seen for miles. In the evening, the fog returned to coven the fortress like a blanket. By night, the silver and the red moons shone on the mists with a shimmering light. Pilgrims came, from all parts of Krynn-" Silvara stopped abruptly. "We will make camp here tonight:"
"What pilgrims?" Laurana asked, letting her pack fall.
Silvara shrugged. "I do not know; she said, averting her face. "It is only a legend of my people. Perhaps it is not even true. Certainly no one comes here now:'
She's lying, thought Laurana, but she said nothing. She was too tired to care. And even Silvara's low, gentle voice seemed unnaturally loud and jarring in the eerie stillness. The companions spread their blankets in silence. They ate in silence, too, nibbling without appetite on the dried fruit in their packs. Even the kender was subdued. The fog was oppressive, weighting them down. The only thing they could hear was a steady drip, drip, drip of water plopping onto the mat of dead leaves on the forest floor below.
"Sleep now;' said Silvara softly, spreading her blanket near Gilthanas's, "for when the silver moon has neared its zenith, we must leave:"
'What difference will that make?" The kender yawned. "We can't see it anyway:"
"Nonetheless, we must go. I will wake you.
"When we return from Sancrist-after the Council of Whitestone-we can be married;' Gilthanas said softly to Silvara as they lay together, w
rapped in his blanket.
The girl stirred in his arms. He felt her soft hair rub against his cheek. But she did not answer.
"Don't worry about my father;' Gilthanas said, smiling,
stroking the beautiful hair that shone even in the darkness.
"He'll be stern and grim for a while, but I am the younger
brother-no one cares what becomes of me. I Porthioss will rant
and rave and carry on. But we'll ignore him. We don't have to
live with my people. I'm not sure how I'd fit in with yours, but I
could learn. I'm a good shot with a bow. And I'd like our chil
dren to grow up in the wilderness, free and happy
Silvara-why, you're crying!"
Gilthanas held her close as she buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing bitterly. "There, there;" he whispered soothingly, smiling in the darkness. Women were such funny creatures. He wondered what he'd said. "Hush, Silvara," he murmured. "It will be all right:" And Gilthanas fell asleep, dreaming of silverhaired children running in the green woods.
..what..
"It is time. We must leave:'
Laurana felt a hand on her shoulder, shaking her. Startled, she woke from a vague, frightening dream that she could not remember to find the Wilder elf kneeling above her.
"I'll wake the others" Silvara said, and disappeared.
Feeling more tired than if she hadn't slept, Laurana packed her things by reflex and stood waiting, shivering, in the darkness. Next to her, she heard the dwarf groan. The damp air was making his joints ache painfully. This journey had been hard on Flint, Laurana realized. He was, after all, what-almost one hundred and fifty years old? A respectable age for a dwarf. His face had lost some of its color during his illness on the voyage. His lips, barely visible beneath the beard, had a bluish tinge, and occasionally he pressed his hand against his chest. But he always stoutly insisted he was fine and kept up with them on the trail.
"All set!" cried Tas. His shrill voice echoed weirdly in the fog, and he had the distinct feeling he'd disturbed something. "I'm sorry;" he said, cringing. "Gee;" he muttered to Flint, "it's like being in a temple:"
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