Bonds

Disclaimer: I own nothing involved with the Dragonlance books.

AN: This is my first try in this fandom. Raistlin's my favorite, but there's already a ton of stuff about him. Right now, I only have my mom's books from twenty-odd years ago, so if something doesn't fit with the newer books, please pardon me.


It was a strange day that a blue dragon came to ask Paladine's favor. The war was near it's end, but his request was not about this. Astinus paused when he heard those words from another plane:

"My Queen is vanquished; my kind are returning to her side, and we will waste away in sleep until the balance of the world is threatened again. There is one, a silver she-dragon, who loves an elf. She wishes to remain here, as do I. If I must walk the realms as a mortal, so be it."

Paladine then asked this question:

"For what are you willing to forsake the favor of your Queen, and the immortality of your race?"

He was answered:

"For love, as she."

Paladine looked deep into the heart and soul of the dragon, and saw indeed that his plea was on behalf of love, though intertwined with revenge and iniquity. Yet love was it's core, and love must always cause some good, no matter what evil is done by it as well. Thus, the dragon's request was granted, and he became a dark elf.


The dark elf watched the young man intently, unbeknownst to him. All of the eight apprentices were uniquely talented, extremely driven by something. Dalamar often pondered his student's motivation, but naturally it was Palin who was most often on his mind. A White Robe suitable for tutelage under a Black Robe was rare, but both the student and teacher agreed that this was where Palin belonged. As usual, he was sitting against the door to the uppermost chamber, the Guardian hovering near by, the Staff of Magius across his lap, and a heavy spell book held inches from his face.

Dalamar watched as he gave up on a particular spell, flipping through the pages until another incantation caught his eye. The Black Robe did not especially care what order they learned in, so long as they did. Each had spell books of their own that he had carefully chosen, and they were welcome to study each other's books. He would allow them to use some of his if the pupil demonstrated the need, and their progress in their own books. They didn't make use of these opportunities often, all eight of them being loners, but the students would often barter with spells.

That's why Palin was having such difficulty. He had traded spells with one of the elven students the previous evening. The Qualinesti elf's tome was written in the common tongue, but the young dark elf from Silvanesti had a book written in elven script. Palin was trying to recite the spell from memory. Dalamar would have to check up on Seldarin later, see which spell he had gained.

The master approached Palin, suggesting softly "You would learn easier if you had asked how to actually pronounce those words."

"Yes, but Seldarin would charge another spell for the privilege, so I declined."

"And you could not ask me?"

"You've been busy come of late, master."

"True. Let me see that bit of parchment."

Palin searched through the pages, then retrieved the wrinkled scrap the spell was written on. He carefully tugged the paper smooth, then held it out for his teacher. Dalamar glanced at it, starting to read the words, then halted suddenly, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Necromancy...The summoning of the black spirits. What did you offer him?"

"It was he who offered. He wanted the spell for summoning the white spirits. We both thought it'd be useful to know both, so the deal was made. He did not mention why he wanted to conjure the good spirits, and I did not ask," Palin said, shrugging. "So, will you tell me how to pronounce this, master?"

Dalamar nodded, reminded for just a moment of Crysania and Raistlin. He wrote out the spell using Palin's alphabet, then said "Actually, you can learn to pronounce that now that it is written in Common. Did Seldarin tell you of the conditions required for the spell to work?"

"Yes. Onyx prism, skull, usually of a cat or stag, four tapers, blood freely given?"

"That's correct. Be careful if you choose to try it anytime soon. The contact is weak with that spell, but if you invoke a powerful being, they can draw you into their plane. Also, tonight you must come to the dining hall. I have an announcement."


The first to arrive at the table was Rila. She quietly sat down in the nearest chair, her delicate face hidden by her red hood. She was soft-spoken, gentle, possessed of a keen mind. She was so naive that Dalamar often wondered why she had not adopted the white robes, but she would always evade the question. He suspected that she would have, were it not for the cat that always accompanied her. According to her, the cat appeared on the day of her birth. The day she arrived at the tower, the cat was found waiting, having suffered none for traveling through the Shoiken Grove. To this day, the mystery went unsolved.

Next came Seldarin, who reminded Dalamar so much of himself. The dark elf was arrogant, intelligent, and very much like the Head of the Order of the Black Robes was at that time in his life. He swept into the room with a grandeur he did not yet deserve, and took a seat at Dalamar's right, looking at Rila condescendingly. The girlshe was only fifteen, a full decade younger than the oldest of the human studentsignored him, focused on a mental conversation with the feline.

Arine was heard before she entered. The Solamnic girl was blind, as Seers often are, and that sound was the tapping of her staff, which was used more for walking than spell-casting. As a mage, she was only marginally talented, but the magic was strong in her. It simply manifested itself in unconscious forms such as the Sight rather than intentional ones. She had the uncanny ability to find various items, most often used for everyone's benefit by locating rare spell components. Arine was one of the few who could make truly magical objects. That is not those things which are enchanted, such as armor that resists fire, but the things which have latent magic which must be harnessed and manipulated, such as a wand. The red-clad woman took a seat at the end of the table. She knew she was different from the rest, but all of them understood her value.

Bretik and Naldyn entered together. Both Black Robes, the two are the closest of any of the students. Naldyn took a seat next to Rila, Bretik across from her. The pair resumed their discussion, giving no attention to anyone else, save for the customary acknowledgment of Dalamar. He gave the couple a fleeting amused smile, but the lovers had already forgotten him. Dalamar continued watching, wondering how much real affection was between them. Of course, he would know soon enough.

Teliralas of Qualinesti glided in, still reading. Absently, he pulled out a chair and sat down, all without a pause in his reading. He was the sort who would wear red until he took the Test so that he could learn as much as possible. His pleasure was his magic, and when he could not read, he practiced the spells he had already acquired in his mind. Telir did not have any enemies, friends, or allies in the tower. The only way to hurt him was to end his study. Dalamar was rather proud of Telir in that respect.

Almost silently, Palin sat beside Arine. Apparently he came in at the same time Telir did, ignored. Arine turned her head in his direction, recognizing the rhythm of his footsteps. He pitied her, and she despised him for it. Palin even knew this, and could not help himself. He sighed guiltily and pushed his chair a little further away.

Last, Canore slunk in. He hid himself in his black robes, gazing out at the rest. In some ways, Canore reminded Dalamar more of Raistlin than Palin did. He was not simply cold, but antagonistic. Apparently, the young man had known for a very long time that he had no choice but darkness. What exactly had led him to that conclusion, Dalamar could not say. Canore was most certain of his alignment, and the other students would agree about little else regarding the most secretive one among them.

Then the feas apeared upon the table. Dalamar sharedhis wine from Silvanesti, from the War of the Lance. The apprentices whispered, giddy with anticipation. They barely noticed the extravagance in trying to gobble up their food when it becameclear that the master would say nothing until the meal was finished. The only one who ate at a normal rate was Telir. Born into a noble family, he refused to act with the abandon the others had, much to their combined annoyance. At last the elf swallowed his last bite, and Dalamar rose with smirk directed towards the bold Red Robe.

"As you have made self-evident, you have all been waiting quite impatiently for this announcement. I will thus be terse. All of you have been here at least five years now. You still have much to learn, but I think it is time that I really challenge you, my dear pupils. Tomorrow, you will leave the tower at sundown. I will escort you through the Grove, and where you go after that is your own decision. You must bring back something to prove you are worthy to continue your studies here. You may take nothing with you except your staff, clothing, and some rations. You may travel as a group or individually, but whatever is brought back cannot be claimed by more than one person. In a year, you are to return. You have this time to prepare. At dawn, I want each of you to meet me in my chamber. I have a gift for all of you, and if you need anything else, ask then. I would suggest you begin now."