Kender Goddess: War of Creation

A/N: Read Kender Goddess before you read this.

Tasslehoff and Dreamflight Burrfoot had been traveling for an agonizingly long time. At least, to a kender it was long. They had seen nothing but the bleak landscape around them for far too long.
"Where are we?" Dreamflight asked, her throat parched as their water supply had run out. "This doesn't feel like we're heading towards Neraka." Tasslehoff pulled a map from his pouches and conferred it, studying intensely. With a smile, he rerolled and slipped it back into a pouch.
"We're almost there," he announced. "It's been, oh, a week?" Dreamflight nodded wearily, suddenly halting and leaning against her staff.
"I'm so tired," she murmured, swaying back and forth. "When we get to Neraka, there won't be anyone kind enough to give us food and shelter. We'll have to be on our toes at all times." Tas waited patiently until she began walking again before resuming the conversation.
"I don't think we'll be getting a warm reception anywhere," he pointed out. "We're wanted by Chaos."
"And Takhisis," Dreamflight amended. She sighed again. "Are you sure there's no hospitable spots from between Sanction and Neraka?" Tasslehoff brought up his mental map again. He saw a spot in his mind and began to form a plan.
"It'll take us longer, and we'll have to go around Neraka, but just beyond it is Godshome," he answered. "Is that of any help?" Relief flashed across her face and she nodded, wearily.
"It's great help," she sighed softly, smiling a little. "Good thinking, Tas." Tas beamed in pleasure. By now, the sun was setting and they could soon stop to rest for the night. Dreamflight marched closer to Tas, confiding to him in softer tones, "It's really strange; we haven't seen anyone sense we left Sanction." Tas shrugged.
"If what you say is true and it really is a time of war, then that shouldn't be surprising," he replied. "Most humans prefer to stay at home so some dragon doesn't breathe doom on their heads. Though I never saw the point in that. Dragon breath weapons can go through almost anything, so I don't see how being cooped up in a city would help matters any. Out here, at least we could try to hide." Dreamflight shook her head, rubbing her temples.
"We don't need to worry about dragons," she sighed. "There aren't any." Tas halted, grabbing Dreamflight by the arm to stop her as well.
"No dragons? How can there be no dragons?" he asked, completely stupefied. "There have always been dragons."
"On Krynn," Dreamflight countered. "That is one more difference on Seler. There are no dragons." Tasslehoff's mind slid into the horrified category.
"Then how will we protect ourselves from this bug invasion?" he blurted. "Admittedly, with no bad dragons around, that's a plus for us, but we have no defenses now!" Dreamflight laughed weakly, shortly.
"Don't be silly," she giggled. "There are always defenses." Tasslehoff resumed walking. He had never taken much of an interest in the strategy of war. If he got tossed into a battle here and there, that was all fine. There was a certain thrill to be found in a good battle. But he did know enough to understand that the good dragons had been crucial in the winning of the War of the Lance. And besides – dragons were awesome creatures. He held a tight of admiration for them. And now, there were none?
"What could possibly replace a dragon?" Tas wondered aloud. Dreamflight smiled knowingly to herself.
"You shall see," she promised. "You shall see... Look, its dusk. Can we stop yet?" Tasslehoff eyed her over critically.
"Are you in pain?" he asked. "Dizzy? Sick? We'll stop now if you need to. Otherwise, we should keep going." Dreamflight looked almost mournfully at Tasslehoff.
"Please," she begged. "Please, let us stop?" Tasslehoff sighed, slumping down to the ground, and nodded. She slumped gratefully. After the two had situated themselves into a more comfortable position, Dreamflight spoke up again. "Tas, you've changed." He looked at her inquiringly. "I can't say how... But you have... And I'm sorry." Tasslehoff smiled and hugged her close.
"There's no need to apologize," he assured her. "We're in this together." Dreamflight nodded, sipping modestly from her water skin. As the stars came out to dot the night sky, Dreamflight lay back and gazed at them with a look of homesickness in her eyes. Tas snuggled close to her, watching.
"Do you miss it there?" he asked softly. "What's it like?" Dreamflight smiled faintly to herself, toying with the feather tied to one of her pouches.
"It is whatever the diety wants it to be," she stated. "Paladine's realm is full of light, blinding almost... But once you see past the light, it is a modest, simple place. Pleasant for resting in, but not one I'd care to stay. Gilean's is worse, as it resembles Astinus's library to an uncanny amount. Takhisis..." She paused and glanced at Tas. "Well, you remember that..." Tas shuddered. He did, and he regretted it. Dreamflight patted his hand comfortingly.
"What of the other gods?" he inquired. Dreamflight smiled traced out Branchala's constellation in the sky.
"I didn't visit the lesser gods often," she admitted. "But I did frequent Branchala's realm. There... It's quite beautiful... It's a cozy little home, tucked into the side of a hill... He has a small fishpond just near that... It looks quite beautiful. Inside, lining the walls of his home, are all the instruments imaginable. Music flows from the air itself, and there's always room to dance." She sighed softly and shut her eyes. Tasslehoff felt an odd pang as he, too, remembered his home and the home of Solace. "But, I traded it all to be here with you, and I would do it again." Her hand briefly touched her stomach. "And again and again..." Tasslehoff smiled, holding her close.
"Someday, we'll find peace, and then we can spend all the time in the world visiting friends and seeking out new, uncharted areas," he vowed. "We'll never have anything to worry about." Dreamflight smiled sleepily to herself, entranced by the visages in her head. She didn't see the shadows being cast over their tiny encampment, or hear the patter of many fast feet...