A/N (Aroihkin's Notes) 09.12.05:

First chapter is tiny, sorry. They generally are. XD This story is, I admit, mostly to help balance my writing against the het romance of "The Akara Files". It's not likely to be updated as much or often as TAF, but... who can tell? Either way, Raistlin certainly can't complain.

Thanks to Panther for the title. It's so perfect. :D

05.02.2010: All scene-dividers have been eaten, again, on all of my stories. I give up. Please just go read this story on arowrites dot net where it hasn't been made incoherent; I am unable to keep up with this site's stupidity.

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Silver Tongue and Golden Wit
( one )

The Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas was, perhaps, the most feared structure on all of Krynn. And for good reason... cursed with the dying breath of one of its own black-robes, held silent and empty by the powers of the Abyss itself until the foretold Master of Past and Present would come to claim it as his own. And he had... that dark Mage from Solace, with his cursed vision and strange looks. He'd walked right into the place, claimed it as his, and then the world had begun to hold its breath tighter yet, wondering. What would Raistlin Majere do next?

Tannusen Ashkeveron knew all of this. He also knew that said Master of Past and Present was waiting for him, that the blue stone in his pocket had been sent by that very same Mage to allow him to come through the Grove... if he dared. And Tannusen definitely dared. Though he looked extremely out of place, dressed in all -white- in a place like this.

Dark marble, now that he stood close to the structure. It was really quite finely-made, wasn't it? If twisted by the curse, blackened as though burnt, a featureless black obelisk from a distance, jutting up against the clear blue sky... the very picture of defiance against the light. Tannusen circled the building, one of his gloved hands dragging against the smooth stone of the wall.

He was no longer alone by the time he made full circle around the structure, a form as dark and imposing as the stone and magic he had been admiring stood abruptly before him, hood up and hands hidden inside long sleeves. Still, even without the tell-tale sign of golden skin visible, there was only one person it -could- be, and Tannusen approached carefully. Once within comfortable speaking range, the tall blond bowed deeply, elegant as any elf could ever manage.

"I didn't mean to keep you waiting, I was... admiring your Tower." his purring voice reached out almost visibly, caressing the tense figure before him like a warm breeze.

"Were you?"

"Oh yes." Tannusen straightened, and pushed his long white-blond hair back over his shoulders with the flick of one gloved hand. "The craftsmanship is exquisite."

"This, coming from an elf."

"Ah, I should have realized you would know my blood." he smiled, knowing that while his long hair carefully hid his pointed ears, his birthright was as clear as day to Raistlin's cursed vision, "But I was not raised as one, should you care to know it."

The hooded head inclined a bit, thoughtful.

"Would you care to see the inside, then?"

"Oh, yes." Tannusen's enthusiasm was never fake, nor was his wide grin, "I'd -love- to."

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Dragonlance © someone else.
All here that is not found in the books... is mine.
Never steal if you value your spleen.

Reviews are lovely, reviews make the Aro happy, and a happy Aro is more inspired to write. However, they are not absolutely required, and flames will result in a very annoyed Aro. I'm not forcing you to read my stuff, you must realize. So I've no sympathy for you if you read it, hate it, and yet can't keep your pointer off the review button.

Constructive criticism is awesome, but I can tell thinly-veiled sarcasm when I see it.