I rode comfortably atop my black dragon, Ciro. His strong body made me feel secure, and the feel of his powerful wings beating beneath me, and his rippling muscles was a constant reminder of my assured safety.
'We're almost there, mistress.' I heard Ciro's deep voice echo through my mind.
'Good. Ciro, thank you.' Though I couldn't see it, I sensed his proud smile.
Ciro and I had been close for many years now. After Raistlin had betrayed me and joined the Dark Queen, Ciro had come to be by my side. I had found him flying through the sky, trying to escape from a group of silver dragons. It wasn't a fair fight, so I helped him by using my most evil and powerful spells. Of course, a mage can only do so much against a dragon, but luckily for me, the silver dragons were young and thought I was summoning more dragons from the Abyss. They fled, and I collapsed. Ciro had come to my aid at once, and since then we had developed a deep bond of trust and loyalty to each other. I was the only one whom Ciro would let ride on him, and I was the only one to whom Ciro had told his true name. Among other humans and the armies of Takhisis, he was known as Night Shadow.
My thoughts strayed to Raistlin and the Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas where he resided. I scowled. Raistlin, the tricky mage that he was, had betrayed me. He had left me after he promised to stay!
'Inanna, there's no future if your mind is always in the past.' Ciro, always there to calm me and keep me rational.
I reached forward to stroke his scaly neck. 'I know, Ciro. I know.' A deep rumble came from the depths of his throat as I stroked his neck with long movements. 'Ciro!' I laughed. 'Sometimes I think you act more like a cat than a dragon!' I could feel Ciro grin, and the rumbling grew louder. I laughed a little harder.
'It's good to hear you laugh again, Inanna. Perhaps it'll help you face the Shoikon Grove. We're here.'
I looked down and saw the beautiful white buildings of Palanthas, reaching towards the sky. The streets were just beginning to wake in the early morning light. Venders were setting up their goods to sell, and shopkeepers were opening their doors. Mothers were beginning to emerge with young children, and even thieves were beginning to survey what was available to steal.
But only one thing marred the peaceful beauty of the city. I looked past the streets and brought my eyes up to meet the Tower of High Sorcery.
Black against the pale morning sky, it was like a stain on a cherished length of silk. There were no people within a mile of it, so great was the terror instilled by the ancient curse, laid upon the tower by a black robed wizard.
'Mistress.' Ciro's usually strong voice grew uneasy as the two of them neared the tower. 'I cannot go with you.'
'Ciro, I only want you to take me to the edge of the Grove. I'll take care of the rest.' I laid a hand on the base of his neck, just to reassure him.
'Yes, dearest Inanna. But be careful.'
'Don't worry, Ciro. I know what I'm doing.'
Ciro began spiraling downward, towards the Shoikon Grove. It was an exhilarating feeling, the wind cooling my face and whipping my hair back from behind me. But that brief joy was soon gone.
Ciro touched down on the ground, and I felt a shudder run through his large body. He wanted to back away but I held him.
"Ciro," I said out loud, not bothering to use telepathy any longer. "Thank you again. If you'd like, you may leave."
'No. I shall stay until you come out. I wish I could go with you, but the beings in the Grove are even too frightful for me.'
"I understand, Ciro. You are a good friend."
I gave him one last stroke and dismounted. Instantly, a wave of cold fear washed over me. I shivered and doubt crept into my heart. But I couldn't let the living dead waiting inside the twisted trees overpower me. I pushed the doubt aside and strode to the very edge of the trees. Turning back around, I saw Ciro watching me with his red eyes full of love. I nodded at him, and stepped into the dreaded Shoikon Grove.
I was immediately plunged into darkness so deep, that even my elven eyes could not see. I stood perfectly still for a moment, frozen in fear. But I made my will stronger and began walking forward.
Hands, colder than ice, came up from the ground and grasped my ankles in a deathlike grip. I smiled. The hands let go, as though my skin had burned them. Their will to pull me under was strong, but mine was stronger. My thirst for revenge against their master was what kept me going. Bodiless eyes watched me through the dense foliage, but none tried to come near me. My power, as strong as Raistlin's, was keeping them at bay. And at last, I made it to the black gates. I pushed them open, and the specters moved aside. Raistlin was their master, and I was their mistress. They wouldn't harm me.
I stepped up to the door of the black tower and knocked three times. The door was answered by an elf, no doubt Raistlin's apprentice.
"My Shalafi is waiting for you," the handsome dark-elf said. He stepped aside and I entered the Tower of High Sorcery. With a few whispered words of magic, we were both transported to a door in a long corridor. I was finally at Raistlin Majere's study door; I was about to lay eyes on the man who had deserted me long ago.
