I can't tell you how much I don't want to put a disclaimer, but I really don't want to risk being sued or flamed for not putting one: I DON'T OWN RAISTLIN, or any other "Dragonlance" related material! Maybe in my dreams Raistlin is mine, but according to the legal system, he belongs to M. Weis. HOWEVER, Alira is mine, and everything about this story that is obviously not of Dragonlance is obviously of MY creation. Therefore, if you want to use any of it, you must ask me first! Yay!
Please, have fun reading this, and Review it for me, it would mean a lot to me! If this is successful, I may go as far as to turn it into a mini- book type thing. Thank you! Bye! 1:
It was a cold morning. The sun rose to greet glistening dewdrops that had gathered on all manner of greenery. Alira rose from her position. She squirmed around in a vain effort to relieve her back of its muscular pain. Sleeping on the ground was less comfortable than she thought.
She sighed, reflecting on the events that had sped her to such a strange mission. It took just one day to get her hooked into this quest.
Alira turned, her back feeling a little less tense, and gazed down at the blanket next to her. The mage, Raistlin Majere, slumbered peacefully next to her. Occasionally, he twitched, telltale signs of dreams.
A red robe for but one year, Alira had taken the test when she was twenty-four. Now, at the youthful age of twenty-five, she was already waist- deep in trouble. Raistlin was famous. Every mage in Krynn whispered his name with a fearful reverence. He was the youngest mage to take the Test, and according to rumor, more powerful than any mage ever to walk the surface of the world. Yet, sleeping there, he was so peaceful, so quiet. He looked handsome, surprisingly, with his features relaxed so, and his pre- maturely white hair falling perfectly around his shoulders.
Raistlin didn't have his brother's strong, powerful figure, but he was very handsome in his own way. At least, while he slept. When he was awake, he was bitingly cynical. Rude, arrogant, and conceited.which is why Alira was the one who had been assigned to this task.
Her job? Alira was to escort Raistlin to the Elven land of Qualinesti, where she would meet the famous Tanis Half-Elven. The three of them would then travel on to the Tower where the Head of the Order presided. Alira didn't know why Raistlin needed an escort, but she did not ask questions. She counted herself lucky to have the privilege of meeting a mage of such power. She was surprised, even after hearing countless tales of the ravages done to his youthful body, when she first met him. She really hadn't expected him to be so truly frail.
But after speaking to him for perhaps ten minutes last night, she understood that his power was true power. It was the power within, the urge to learn, the burning fire that consumed him. He did not seem to care about his appearance. Rather, he used it to benefit himself. The right glance in the right direction with his strange, hourglass eyes was enough to intimidate even his own brother! Alira had met his brother, momentarily, when she had gone to get Raistlin. She wished she had more time to speak to the big man, but she did have a mission to accomplish, and she was not about to make herself look like a foolish child in search of stories.
She walked over to a small pool of water that had formed near a river she had found last night. Alira assumed that Raistlin would sleep for a few more minutes, and so allowed herself a bit of time to herself. She just wanted a drink of water, nothing more. She knelt by the side of the pool, cupping hands in the water and lifting them to her mouth. Quietly, she sucked the water through pursed lips. Looking down, she saw herself reflected in the waters. Tanis was not the only Half-Elf in the world.
Alira didn't really know how much Elven blood she had. As far as she could tell, it was only one-sixteenth. She didn't have Elven ears; all she had were the eyes. Her eyes were large, and almond-shaped, green, with foresty-brown notes. She had long, brown hair that sparkled as though streaked with golden silk thread when the sun hit it right. Her hair was perfectly straight, and she loved the fact that it never stayed mussed for long.
"Enough of your ridiculous vanity!" Alira scolded herself, muttering aloud. She turned back to the little camp where Raistlin still slept.
Quietly as she could, Alira drew from her pack a fresh change of robes. Unlike most mages, she wore clothes under her robes. Alira knew it was a bit of a vanity, but she was modest. She pulled out a change of under- clothing, breeches, and a plain tunic to wear underneath. Padding away to a large tree, she positioned herself in a way she hoped would give her privacy.
As quickly as she could manage, she undressed, donning the fresh clothes as soon as the dirty ones hit the ground. She felt refreshed in new garments, and carried the pile of used clothing back to her pack, where she shoved it unceremoniously inside. Muttering to herself about what her mother would say about such un-lady-like behavior, she turned to see how Raistlin was faring.
It was about time he woke up, so she went ahead and sparked a quick fire with a word of magic. Not the best idea, since magic wasn't meant to be used so frivolously. But she loved the thrill of it.the way it coursed through her veins! It was unspeakable, how totally amazing it was to wield magic! The build up of it, as you caress it and finally release it for whatever purpose you've had in mind. She loved using magic, despite the temporary feeling of weariness that accompanied it. But the small strain of a simple fire-spell was nothing.
Carefully, she set up a pot of water to boiling. Alira knew of Raistlin's dependence on that odious tea of his. Unfortunately, sweeteners dulled the effects of the tea too much for it to be worth it.
Alira slowly grew tired of waiting for Raistlin to wake. She padded over to where he lie, and gently knelt beside him. She reached out, placing a hand cautiously on his shoulder. Caramon had told her that Raistlin was a light sleeper, but so far she saw no signs of wakefulness in the young mage.
She put her mouth near his ear, gently shaking him with her hand. "Raistlin.wake!"
Alira was very gentle and quiet, so that when he did wake, he was not startled. His strange hourglass pupils adjusted to the light. He pulled away from her, reflexively. Alira expected such a reaction, and so she just rose from her place and retreated to where the tea was starting to boil. She watched him carefully, every motion of his as he slowly brought himself up.
"My.tea." he croaked, his throat obviously parched. Luckily for him, the water had already begun to boil, and Alira was pouring a small cup full of it. She walked over and handed it to him, watching him fumble at his pouch with slender, nimble fingers. Extracting a pinch of leaves, he flicked them in the cup, swirling it around to hasten the steeping process. Alira watched in silence as he drank, spitting out the leaves.
"We need to leave. Assuming you don't want to break your fast?" Alira spoke passively, still not completely sure of what to make of the mage before her. She was right in her assumption, as she thought she would be.
They packed their little campsite away and made their way for the separate area they had hidden their horses. Walking together, Alira found herself admiring him.physically.
"Are you afraid of death?" she asked, not realizing what she had said until she had said it.
"No. I see it everywhere I go," he responded, his mellow voice sounding out in the woods. They soon came upon their horses. Raistlin rode a pretty gray stallion, and Alira chose a brilliant chestnut mare.
"What do you fear?"
Alira was surprised at her own behavior. Raistlin must think she is a fool. Perhaps this mage was not the best acquaintance for her.
He didn't answer, to Alira's relief. She didn't really want to know what he feared; it was a silly question. She berated herself for her foolishness, her childishness.
"What do you fear?" he asked her, suddenly. Her heart skipped a beat. She realized what was wrong with her, and nearly cried out in shock.
Instead, she answered him truthfully. "I don't know."
"Then why ask me?" his voice was soft and smooth as velvet, hidden meanings could be under every word.yet Alira loved it. This is what shocked her. Now, she knew what she was afraid of, but she dared not tell him now.
"I'm.not sure. I suppose I was making an attempt at conversation." Alira thought erratically, praying that this response wouldn't sound like a lie.
Raistlin turned her way, raised an eyebrow, and turned back to the road.
She realized it too late.
I think I might, well, like him. Too much, she thought to herself. Foolish, foolish! How on Krynn could she be falling in love - no! Start liking him! - when she barely knew him? All she knew of him was the basics from a brief conversation just last night.that's all! She was being paranoid. Alira forced herself to silence.
She focused on the road, wondered about the time it would take to get there. Alira didn't notice when Raistlin had an unusually violent coughing attack until he nearly fell off of his horse.
"Dammen du!" Alira cursed herself, leaping off of the back of her horse in a particularly skillful movement to grab his horse. She didn't want the gray to spook when Raistlin was coughing, he could fall off and break his neck! Alira helped him off his horse, surprised when he pushed her away and sat by himself. Raistlin seemed to be dying, or at least hacking a lung up. Worriedly, she patted him roughly on the back to help him. Quickly, she spoke the arcane language of magic to call up a fire. She worked as fast as she could to brew his tea for him, holding it up to his shaking lips and watching as he gulped it down greedily. She watched, concern etching her fine features, as his fit slowly subsided. He was weak from the exertions, she could tell, and his radiantly golden skin seemed to lose some of its luster. Carefully, she helped him into the forest, to conceal him from the view of others, and settled him down. Luckily, the horses followed, for whatever reason, and Alira was able to retrieve a few blankets from their packs. She made sure he was comfortable before brewing more tea. Concerned for him, she watched carefully to guard against any sudden signs of illness. Raistlin seemed to be wheezing, startled again, Alira hurried over to him. Kneeling, she took his face in her hands and felt for a fever. "Thank.you." He struggled to get the words out. Alira nearly fell over in surprise. Raistlin was not known to thank anybody for anything. Such a display of humanity seemed so uncharacteristic for him. Yet, she was pleased with his response. Apparently, he didn't mind her presence much. He allowed her to lean against the tree with him, and eventually, they both fell asleep, Alira's head on his shoulder, and their arms subconsciously moving to protectively grip each other.

Alira was surprised when she awoke, because Raistlin was actually holding her! It sent a thrill through her blood, though she wasn't sure why. She didn't want to disturb him, but it was nearing night, and she knew there was no way they could travel beyond their point. She cursed. That set them back a full day, yet there was no way to stop it. It wasn't his fault his health was fragile. Slowly, she calmed herself, watching the vulnerable young mage sleep. Her thoughts wandered. His staff, the famed Staff of Magius, was near him, as usual. She hadn't noticed it as much before, since he didn't flaunt his prize in front of her. Around non- magi, he was proud of his staff, but he guarded its presence jealously in front of other mages, obviously suspicious of thieves. Now that he wasn't cradling her in his arms, he adjusted himself so his staff took her place. What is wrong with me? We don't know each other! Alira cried to herself. She didn't like him, not that way! It was impossible! As she pointed out to herself multiple times, she didn't know him! Ah, dear, but weren't you told once that true love doesn't need to be fully explained? A sinister voice inside taunted her.
It was true.during her Test. She rarely thought about that crucial moment in her life, preferring to ignore it. She remembered well the old crone who she saved. The woman told her several things, all of which Alira didn't know what to make of. She remembered most clearly the first thing, though.
"You, my dear, will find your true love earlier than most. Yet, if you refuse it for too long, it will be lost to you forever. Be wise, my dear, and trust your instincts, for you will ruin your life as well as his!" the old woman had cackled, and Alira remembered the furrowing of her brows as she suppressed a scoff.
What if this was it? What if Raistlin was, of all the people, her "true love"? If she denied it, she could destroy both of their lives.assuming its true. But if he isn't.what could go wrong?
"Is it worth the risk?" Alira murmured to herself.

TO BE CONTINUED.SHOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR IT TO!