Dragons of Spring Dawning

by Margaret Weis

  “Then I hold you responsible for whatever happens to Laurana,” Gilthanas said, his voice shaking in rage. “And I will pray to the gods nightly that whatever cruel fate befalls her, you will meet the same thing—only a hundred times worse!”

  “Don’t you think I’d accept that if it would bring her back!” Tanis cried in anguish. But Gilthanas only turned away.

  Now the people began to point and murmur. A dark shadow was visible in the sky—a blue dragon.

  “That’s her dragon,” Tasslehoff said solemnly. “I saw it at the High Clerist’s Tower.”

  The blue dragon circled lazily above the city in slow spirals, then landed leisurely within bow-shot of the city walls. A deathly hush fell upon the city as the dragon’s rider stood up in the stirrups. Removing her helm, the Dark Lady began to speak, her voice ringing through the clear air.

  “By now you have heard that I have captured the elfwoman you call the ‘Golden General!’ ” Kitiara shouted. “In case you need proof, I have this to show you.” She raised her hand. Tanis saw the flash of sunlight on a beautifully crafted silver helm. “In my other hand, though you cannot see it from where you stand, I have a lock of golden hair. I will leave both these here, on the plain, when I depart, that you may have something to remember your ‘general’ by.”

  There was a harsh murmur from the people lining the walls. Kitiara stopped speaking a moment, regarding them coldly. Watching her, Tanis dug his nails into his flesh to force himself to remain calm. He had caught himself contemplating a mad scheme to leap from the wall and attack her where she stood.

  Goldmoon, seeing the wild, desperate look on his face, moved near and laid her hand on his arm. She felt his body shaking, then he stiffened at her touch, bringing himself under control. Looking down at his clenched hands, she was horrified to see blood trickling down his wrists.

  “The elfmaid, Lauralanthalasa, has been taken to the Queen of Darkness at Neraka. She will remain as hostage with the Queen until the following conditions are met. First, the Queen demands that a human called Berem, the Everman, be turned over to her immediately. Second, she demands that the good dragons return to Sanction, where they will give themselves up to Lord Ariakas. Finally, the elflord Gilthanas will call for the Knights of Solamnia and the elves of both the Qualinesti and Silvanesti tribes to lay down their arms. The dwarf, Flint Fireforge will require of his people that they do the same.”

  “This is madness!” Gilthanas called out in answer, stepping forward to the edge of the wall and staring down at the Dark Lady. “We cannot agree to these demands! We have no idea who this Berem is, or where to find him. I cannot answer for my people, nor can I answer for the good dragons. These demands are totally unreasonable!”

  “The Queen is not unreasonable,” Kitiara replied smoothly. “Her Dark Majesty has foreseen that these demands will need time to be acted upon. You have three weeks. If, within that time, you have not found the man Berem, whom we believe to be in the area around Flotsam, and if you have not sent away the good dragons, I will return and, this time, you will find more than a lock of your general’s hair before the gates of Kalaman.”

  Kitiara paused.

  “You will find her head.”

  With that, she tossed the helm down onto the ground at her dragon’s feet, then, at a word, Skie lifted his wings and rose into the air.

  For long moments, no one spoke or moved. The people stared down at the helm lying before the wall. The red ribbons fluttering bravely from the top of the silver helm seemed the only movement, the only color. Then someone cried out in terror, pointing.

  Upon the horizon appeared an incredible sight. So awful was it that no one believed it at first, each thinking privately he must be going mad. But the object drifted closer and all were forced to admit its reality, though that did not diminish the horror.

  Thus it was that the people of Krynn had their first glimpse of Lord Ariakas’s most ingenious war machine, the flying citadels.

  Working in the depths of the temples of Sanction, the black-robed magic-users and dark clerics ripped a castle from its foundations and set it in the skies. Now, floating upon dark gray storm clouds, lit by jagged barbs of white lightning, surrounded by a hundred flights of red and black dragons, the citadel loomed over Kalaman, blotting out the noon sun, casting its dreadful shadow over the city.

  The people fled the walls in terror. Dragonfear worked its horrible spell, causing panic and despair to fall upon all who dwelt in Kalaman. But the citadel’s dragons did not attack. Three weeks, their Dark Queen had ordered. They would give these wretched humans three weeks. And they would keep watch to see that, during this time, the Knights and the good dragons did not take the field.

  Tanis turned to the rest of the companions who stood huddled upon the walls, staring bleakly at the citadel. Accustomed to the effects of dragonfear, they had been able to withstand it and were not fleeing in panic as were the rest of the citizens of Kalaman. Consequently they stood alone together upon the walls.

  “Three weeks,” Tanis said clearly, and his friends turned to him,

  For the first time since they had left Flotsam, they saw that his face was free of its self-condemning madness. There was peace in his eyes, much as Flint had seen peace in Sturm’s eyes after the knight’s death.

  “Three weeks,” Tanis repeated in a calm voice that sent shivers up Flint’s spine, “we have three weeks. That should be time enough. I’m going to Neraka, to the Dark Queen.” His eyes went to Berem, who stood silently nearby. “You’re coming with me.”

  Berem’s eyes opened wide in stark terror. “No!” he whimpered, shrinking backward. Seeing the man about to run, Caramon’s huge hand reached out and caught hold of him.

  “You will go with me to Neraka,” Tanis said in a soft voice, “or I will take you right now and give you to Gilthanas. The elflord loves his sister dearly. He would not hesitate to hand you over to the Queen of Darkness if he thought that would buy Laurana’s freedom. You and I know differently. We know that giving you up wouldn’t change matters a bit. But he doesn’t. He is an elf, and he would believe she would keep her bargain.”

  Berem stared at Tanis warily. “You won’t give me up?”

  “I’m going to find out what’s going on,” Tanis stated coldly, avoiding the question. “At any rate, I’ll need a guide, someone who knows the area.…”

  Wrenching himself free of Caramon’s grip, Berem regarded them with a hunted expression. “I’ll go,” he whimpered. “Don’t give me to the elf …”

  “All right,” Tanis said coldly. “Quit sniveling. I’ll be leaving before dark and I’ve got a lot to do—”

  Turning abruptly, he was not surprised to feel a strong hand grip his arm. “I know what you’re going to say, Caramon.” Tanis did not turn around. “And the answer is no. Berem and I are going alone.”

  “Then you’ll go to your deaths alone,” Caramon said quietly, holding onto Tanis firmly.

  “If so, then that’s what I’ll do!” Tanis tried without success to break free of the big man. “I’m not taking any of you with me.”

  “And you’ll fail,” Caramon said. “Is that what you want? Are you going just to find a way to die that will end your guilt? If so, I can offer you my sword right now. But if you truly want to free Laurana, then you’re going to need help.”

  “The gods have reunited us,” Goldmoon said gently. “They have brought us together again in our time of greatest need. It is a sign from the gods, Tanis. Don’t deny it.”

  The half-elf bowed his head. He could not cry, there were no tears left. Tasslehoff’s small hand slipped into his.

  “Besides,” said the kender cheerfully, “think how much trouble you’d get into without me!”

  9

  A single candle.

  T he city of Kalaman was deathly silent the night after the Dark Lady issued her ultimatum. Lord Calof declared a State of War, which meant all taverns were closed, the city gates were locked and barred, no one allowe
d to leave. The only people permitted to enter were families from the small farming and fishing villages near Kalaman. These refugees began arriving near sundown, telling fearful tales of draconians swarming over their land, looting and burning.

  Although some of the noblemen of Kalaman had been opposed to such a drastic measure as a declared State of War, Tanis and Gilthanas—united for once—had forced the Lord to make this decision. Both of them painted vivid and horrifying pictures of the burning of the city of Tarsis. These proved extremely convincing. Lord Calof made his declaration, but then stared at the two men helplessly. It was obvious he had no idea what to do in regard to the defense of the city. The horrifying shadow of the floating citadel hovering above had completely unnerved the lord, and most of his military leaders were in little better shape. After listening to some of their wilder ideas, Tanis rose to his feet.

  “I have a suggestion, my lord,” he said respectfully. “You have a person here, well-qualified to take over the defense of this city—”

  “You, Half-Elf?” interrupted Gilthanas with a bitter smile.

  “No,” said Tanis gently. “You, Gilthanas.”

  “An elf?” said Lord Calof in amazement.

  “He was in Tarsis. He has had experience fighting the draconians and the dragons. The good dragons trust him and will follow his judgment.”

  “That’s true!” Calof said. A look of vast relief crossed his face as he turned to Gilthanas. “We know how elves feel about humans, my lord, and—I must admit—most humans feel the same about elves. But we would be eternally grateful if you could help us in this time of peril.”

  Gilthanas stared at Tanis, puzzled for a moment. He could read nothing in the half-elf’s bearded face. It was almost, he thought, the face of a dead man. Lord Calof repeated his question, adding something about “reward,” apparently thinking Gilthanas’s hesitation was due to a reluctance to accept the responsibility.

  “No, my lord!” Gilthanas came out of his reverie with a start. “No reward is necessary or even wanted. If I can help save the people of this city, that will be reward enough. As for being of different races”—Gilthanas looked once more at Tanis—“perhaps I have learned enough to know that doesn’t make any difference. It never did.”

  “Tell us what to do,” Calof said eagerly.

  “First, I would like a word with Tanis,” Gilthanas said, seeing the half-elf preparing to depart.

  “Certainly. There is a small room through the door to your right where you may talk in private.” The Lord gestured.

  Once inside the small, luxuriously appointed room, both men stood in uncomfortable silence for long moments, neither looking at the other directly. Gilthanas was the first to break the silence.

  “I have always despised humans,” the elflord said slowly, “and now I find myself preparing to take on the responsibility of protecting them.” He smiled. “It is a good feeling,” he added softly, looking directly at Tanis for the first time.

  Tanis’s eyes met Gilthanas’s and his grim face relaxed for a moment, though he did not return the elflord’s smile. Then his gaze fell, his grave expression returned.

  “You’re going to Neraka, aren’t you?” Gilthanas said after another long pause.

  Tanis nodded, wordlessly.

  “Your friends? They’re going with you?”

  “Some of them,” Tanis replied. “They all want to go, but—” He found he could not continue, remembering their devotion. He shook his head.

  Gilthanas stared down at an ornately carved table, absently running his hand over the gleaming wood.

  “I must leave,” Tanis said heavily, starting for the door. “I have a lot yet to do. We plan to leave at midnight, after Solinari’s set—”

  “Wait.” Gilthanas put his hand on the half-elf’s arm. “I—I want to tell you I’m sorry … about what I said this morning. No, Tanis, don’t leave. Hear me out. This isn’t easy for me.” Gilthanas paused a moment. “I’ve learned a great deal, Tanis—about myself. The lessons have been hard ones. I forgot them … when I heard about Laurana. I was angry and frightened and I wanted to hit someone. You were the closest target. What Laurana did, she did out of love for you. I’m learning about love, too, Tanis. Or I’m trying to learn.” His voice was bitter. “Mostly I’m learning about pain. But that’s my problem.”

  Tanis was watching him now. Gilthanas’s hand was still on his shoulder.

  “I know now, after I’ve had time to think,” Gilthanas continued softly, “that what Laurana did was right. She had to go, or her love would have been meaningless. She had faith in you, believed in you enough to go to you when she heard you were dying, even though it meant going to that evil place—”

  Tanis’s head bowed. Gilthanas gripped him tightly, both hands on his shoulders.

  “Theros Ironfeld said once that—in all the years he had lived—he had never seen anything done out of love come to evil. We have to believe that, Tanis. What Laurana did, she did out of love. What you do now, you do out of love. Surely the gods will bless that.”

  “Did they bless Sturm?” Tanis asked harshly. “He loved!”

  “Didn’t they? How do you know?”

  Tanis’s hand closed over Gilthanas’s. He shook his head. He wanted to believe. It sounded wonderful, beautiful … just like tales of dragons. As a child, he’d wanted to believe in dragons, too.…

  Sighing, he walked away from the elflord. His hand was on the doorknob when Gilthanas spoke again.

  “Farewell … brother.”

  The companions met by the wall, at the secret door Tasslehoff had found that led up and over the walls, out into the plains beyond. Gilthanas could, of course, have given them permission to leave by the front gates, but the fewer people who knew of this dark journey the better as far as Tanis was concerned.

  Now they were gathered inside the small room at the top of the stairs. Solinari was just sinking behind the distant mountains. Tanis, standing apart from the others, watched the moon as its last silvery rays touched the battlements of the horrible citadel hovering above them. He could see lights in the floating castle. Dark shapes moved around. Who lived in that dreadful thing? Draconians? The black-robed mages and dark clerics whose power had torn it from the soil and now kept it drifting among masses of thick gray clouds?

  Behind him, he heard the others talking in soft voices—all except for Berem. The Everman—watched over closely by Caramon—stood apart, his eyes wide and fearful.

  For long moments Tanis watched them, then he sighed. He faced another parting, and this one grieved him so that he wondered if he had the strength to make it. Turning slightly, he saw the last beaming rays of Solinari’s fading light touch Goldmoon’s beautiful silver-gold hair. He saw her face, peaceful and serene, even though she contemplated a journey into darkness and danger. And he knew he had the strength.

  With a sigh, he walked away from the window to rejoin his friends.

  “Is it time?” Tasslehoff asked eagerly.

  Tanis smiled, his hand reaching out fondly to stroke Tas’s ridiculous topknot of hair. In a changing world, kenders remained constant.

  “Yes,” Tanis said, “it is time.” His eyes went to Riverwind. “For some of us.”

  As the Plainsman met the half-elf’s steady, unwavering gaze, the thoughts in his mind were reflected in his face, as clear to Tanis as clouds flitting across the night sky. First Riverwind was uncomprehending, perhaps he had not even heard Tanis’s words. Then the Plainsman realized what had been said. Now he understood, and his stern, rigid face flushed, the brown eyes flared. Tanis said nothing. He simply shifted his gaze to Goldmoon.

  Riverwind looked at his wife, who stood in a pool of silvery moonlight, waiting, her own thoughts far away. There was a sweet smile on her lips. A smile Tanis had seen only recently. Perhaps she was seeing her child playing in the sun.

  Tanis looked back at Riverwind. He saw the Plainsman’s inner struggle, and Tanis knew that the Que-shu warrior would offer, no, he wo
uld insist, on accompanying them, even though it meant leaving Goldmoon behind.

  Walking to him, Tanis put his hands on the tall man’s shoulders, looking into the Plainsman’s dark eyes.

  “Your work is done, my friend,” Tanis said. “You have walked winter’s path far enough. Here our roads separate. Ours leads into a bleak desert. Yours wends its way through green and blossoming trees. You have a responsibility to the son or daughter you are bringing into the world.” He put his hand on Goldmoon’s shoulder now, drawing her near, seeing her about to protest.

  “The baby will be born in the autumn,” Tanis said softly, “when the vallenwoods are red and golden. Don’t cry, my dear.” He gathered Goldmoon into his arms. “The vallenwoods will grow again. And you will take the young warrior or the young maiden into Solace, and you will tell them a story of two people who loved each other so much they brought hope into a world of dragons.”

  He kissed her beautiful hair. Then Tika, weeping softly, took his place, bidding Goldmoon farewell. Tanis turned to Riverwind. The Plainsman’s stern mask was gone, his face showed plainly the marks of his grief. Tanis himself could barely see through his tears.

  “Gilthanas will need help, planning the defense of the city.” Tanis cleared his throat. “I wish to the gods this was truly the end of your dark winter, but I’m afraid it must last a little longer.”

  “The gods are with us, my friend, my brother,” Riverwind said brokenly, embracing the half-elf. “May they be with you, as well. We will wait here for your return.”

  Solinari dipped behind the mountains. The only lights in the night sky were the cold and glittering stars and the hideous gleam of windows in the citadel, watching them with yellow eyes. One by one, the companions bid the Plainsmen goodbye. Then, following Tasslehoff, they silently crossed the wall, entered another door, and crept down another staircase. Tas shoved open the door at the bottom. Moving cautiously, hands on their weapons, the companions stepped out onto the plain.