Bardic Beloved

By Ruby Redcliffe

"Raistlin, is that young bard looking at you or me?" asked Caramon.

"The likely thing is she's staring at you," replied Raistlin bitterly, without looking up. Caramon shrugged and looked at the girl. She was about their age. He smiled and winked at her. She frowned at him and rolled her eyes. Then the bard smiled at Raistlin and hummed a tune.

"Raist!" said Caramon in surprise. Raistlin looked up, "That bard is looking at you!" Raistlin's eyes widened and he looked swiftly toward were Caramon gestured. Bard-girl smiled at him and blew him a kiss. He stood up and walked shakily to the table she sat at. She looked at him with a grin that said I like you.

"What's your name?" Raistlin asked.

"Raina Mystec, you can call me Rai," said the bard.

"What do you want of me? Why not my brother?" asked Raistlin.

"Him? No, I don't like men who are women conquerors." said Rai.

"But why choose me?" Raistlin persisted.

"Pale blue eyes, pale skin, slender almost skinny. You're hot! Can you handle that?" said Rai. Rai got up and took his hand. She pulled him outside in a secluded area. Then she pulled him close and kissed him full on the mouth. They heard a cough behind them. Turning swiftly they saw Caramon staring at them.

"Caramon, what are you doing back here!" exclaimed Raistlin.

"I saw you going with the bard. I thought you might get hurt. I was worried," explained Caramon.

"Well, you didn't have to! As you may have noticed I'm doing fine with Rai!" Raistlin said nastily.

"Wait... Um what did you say your name was?" asked Rai sheepishly.

"Raistlin, Raistlin Majere. And this obnoxious fool is my twin brother Caramon," Raistlin replied with a half smile.

"That's funny, I have a twin sister named Carah. Do by any chance have another-" Rai was cut short by a large brawny woman running toward her. Raistlin noticed her sigh impatiently as the woman began to speak quickly and worriedly.

"Oh, Rai thank the gods you're alright! I was talking and turned back when you didn't answer. where'd you run off to? And who are these men?" finished the woman.

"Carah, I'm fine. I was tired and went to go perform at this inn. This two gentlemen were talking to me. This is Raistlin, he is Caramon," replied Raina with a hint of irritation. She gestured to the men and Carah eyed Caramon with mistrust.

"Hey lady, I don't know who you are but you better stop fingering that sword of yours," Caramon said his hand on the hilt of his sword. Rai sighed and placed a gently hand on her twin's arm. Carah looked at her questioningly.

"I don't like this little sister. You could have gotten hurt. And this big man, Caranob, or something looks dangerous," she said. Rai sighed again and pushed on Carah's arm slightly, who let go of her sword.

"Carah, stop it. These men are harmless to me and you know it. And the man's name is Caramon," said Rai irritably. Raistlin laid his hand on his twin and Caramon relaxed.

"Raist, I don't trust that big woman. She looks too comfortable with that sword," whispered Caramon anxiously.

"These women would not stand a chance against us for one and for two I believe we can trust them," said Raistlin through gritted teeth. Raistlin looked over at Rai apologetically at the same instant she turned to smile at him sheepishly.

"I guess we kinda are alike. At least you don't have an older half brother named Kristof," Rai said with a tinkling laugh.

"No, not a half brother, but a half sister named Kitiara, who taught Caramon everything he knows," replied Raistlin, the two looked at each other in alarm.

"That's funny, I was trained by Kristof. How come we're so alike to these guys, little sis?" asked Carah, confused.

"Sister, I do not know everything, although I do know more than you," said Rai wearily. Raistlin snickered.

"It's the same way with Caramon, I know a lot more than him, but he doesn't know much. I wonder if you are the feminine versions of us, and your brother the masculine version of Kitiara," said Raistlin thoughtfully.

"I was just about to say the same thing," grinned Raina.

"Maybe, I'm not so alone in this world," they said together.