Arman's eyes widened, and several of his company drew their axes. Arman glared at me, "You brought the plague here!"
"We didn't! It's not catching!" I defended, "It's his magic!"
Arman, with a hand staying his soldiers, looked at me, "Explain."
"It's not the plague. This is the price he payed for his magic. I promise: it will do no harm to yourself or your people."
Arman stared at me, then looked at Raistlin, "Is he alright?"
"He will be."
Raistlin gasped for air for a few moments, then settled down. I sat back down, leaning into his warmth. Arman stared at us for a moment, clearly trying to decide if he should say something. He decided to say nothing, for he turned to Tanis, "Can you and your people travel?"
"If we have to."
"Good. Then, in a few minutes, we will go to the old temple to stay the night, then go to the West Warrens, then to Thorbardin."
I nodded weakly, inhaling the sweet scents of roses and decay. Raistlin's breath was wheezing. After a few more minutes, Arman led us out of the gatehouse then fell back to walk with us, supporting Pick. The soldiers led us past deserted buildings and alleys. Everything was eerily silent, and I couldn't help but feel afraid, despite my exhaustion.
Raistlin and I had to support each other as we walked through the silent streets. Raistlin was still wheezing, but I couldn't tell if it was because of the run, or if Fistandantilus was going to try something. Raistlin was limping a little, "You alright?" I whispered.
Raistlin nodded, "Just twisted it."
I stared at him, hard, "If you're lying about this I will make you help Elistan with his cleric duties."
"As if you could make me," Raistlin's lips twisted into a wry smirk. His breath caught in his throat, making him cough.
The spasms rocked through his whole body, and we stopped briefly before he was able to continue. After a little while, we turned off the main road, and onto a side street. After a few blocks, a huge temple loomed at us from the shadows.
"Wow," It was magnificent, even though I could see it on the verge of collapsing. I blinked, and I saw it for a split second as everyone but Raistlin saw it. Huge bronze doors, with the symbol of Reorx on them, were opened, and we entered.
The dwarven soldiers removed their helms, but seemed to do so out of habit, not real respect. Reorx hasn't come to them.
Raistlin and I slumped to the stone floor near the central dias, happy for the break.
"We'll spend the night here," Arman announced after conferring with his men, "The Theiwar do not usually venture this far, and Pick is not well enough to travel farther today. I have sent one of my men ahead of us to keep an eye out, and to bring reinforcements if we do not return to the Life Tree by tomorrow."
"Can you untie us?" Tanis asked wearily, "We have no intention of running away," He cast a glance at Raistlin and I, "Even if we did, we couldn't."
Arman thought for a moment, then nodded. He gestured to his men to untie us. I sighed in relief, even though I'd done my best with my hands tied, the ropes were chafing against my wrists, and it was beyond annoying.
The soldier cut the bonds, and I removed the rope, rubbing my sore wrists. They'll bruise. T'manna remarked.
As if my right wrist wasn't bruised already. Remember Raistlin?
Raistlin coughed again, jolting me from my thoughts. He had set up his bedroll, and was currently laying down. I smiled, and unrolled my bedroll next to his. I could feel his heat radiating from his body, but his breathing was even.
I nestled in as close as I could, hearing his heart beating as I slowly fell asleep...
Are you awake? Anna asked.
I am now. I sighed in annoyance.
I think we need to talk. T'manna said quietly.
Can't it wait?
No... Why haven't you asked about us?
I did, remember? You told me you were Vulcan, and since Vulcan's can't lie- Wait... you can omit facts... please tell me.
You never asked about our existance. Frank butted in.
T'manna said you were parts of me.
Which is true.
Right... what isn't?
T'manna laughed, We were a coping mechanism. Something the gods allowed so you could adjust better. We're you.
... I've been talking to myself the whole time?
Yes. All three answered at the same time.
A weird feeling washed over me, almost like I'd known this the whole time.
So, none of this was real?
It was real, it was just you talking to yourself. Three seperate identities you created.
Nausea rose in my throat. You don't exist. You just exist in my head.
No reply came. The delusion was broken. For the first time in months, I felt completely alone in my head. It was odd and refreshing, and somewhere, I now knew I had always been alone...
I had stopped my own delusion after I realized I would never be alone, not truely.
I focused once again on Raistlin's heartbeat, gathering as much comfort as I could from the steady sound.
(LINE BREAK)
The next morning (at least I think it was morning, there was no way to tell). Arman woke us for an early start. He led us out of the Theiwar territory, using bucket lifts, like the pot in Xak Tsaroth.
Soon we entered an area Arman called the West Warrens. It turned out to be an underground forest- but the trees weren't trees. They were mushrooms, looming overhead. I couldn't help but grin, for even I could appreciate the plants. All of them looked beyond exotic.
"The trees are mushrooms! Do you see, Nekitha?" Tas asked, spinning in a circle, trying to take it all in.
I nodded, "Yeah."
"Isn't it amazing?"
"Yeah, it is."
I looked around, but couldn't see Raistlin. I couldn't help but smile; this was one of the things he truly enjoyed. I sighed, and turned to find Tanis tugging nervously at hs shirt neck.
"Are you alright?"
Tanis nodded, swallowing nervously. His eyes moving to the ceiling, "We're buried in a tomb. There can't be enough air here for all of us."
Flint walked over, and extended his waterskin to the half elf, "Here, lad."
Tanis took it, and drank deeply. He wiped a shaking hand across his mouth, and handed the waterskin back to Flint, "Thanks," He said shakily.
Flint looked at me, eyes shifting in an odd way. I raised an eyebrow at him, and he shuffled his feet nervously. Clutching the Helm of Grallen under one arm, Flint looked around to Raistlin and Sturm, then to me.
I sighed, and joined Tasslehoff in looking at the mushrooms. However, I could still hear the conversation.
"I had a dream last night," Flint said gruffly, "Reorx came to me. He offered me riches and glory, even the Hammer of Kharas: all I have to do is put on the helm."
Suddenly, like a moths drawn to a flame, Sturm and Raistlin belined their way toward Flint. I mentally sighed, then sat beside Tasslehoff, who had his neck craned, trying to see the mushroom ahead of him.
"Isn't this amazing? I'm the first Kender to be down here, ever!" Tasselhoff said excitedly, "Look at all these amazing things! Who would have thought that you could use mushrooms as trees?"
"The dwarves, I'd assume," I replied, looking over to the group surrounding Flint. With Tasslehoff chatting away, it was a little harder to hear, but I could still get snippets of the ensuing discussion a few feet away.
"...Put it on...why hesitate?" Sturm asked.
"I was..talking to Tanis... Brightblade."
"The god...tells you to put on the helm...and you don't tell me!?" Sturm demanded.
I rolled my eyes, and looved over at Tasslehoff, who was now on his feet, and currently trying to pluck a nearby, black plant from the ground. I sighed, but was relieved when Tasslehoff halted his struggles, and walked over to Arman, and began to talk with him.
"...you think I should put on the helm?" I heard Flint ask.
"Yes," Both Raistlin and Sturm said is unison.
"...Half-Elven?" Flint asked.
"...if you returned hammer...would be a hero...dwarves...would grant anything...even open...for refugees."
Flint stomped off, stopping a little ways from everyone else. Raistlin left the others, going back to study the plants. I stood, and ran a hand through my hair, and looked around at the impossibly large cavern. Tasslehoff had left Arman in favour of joining Flint, and an eager dwarf ran up to Arman. The dwarf must have been a messenger, because then Arman dismissed him, and summoned us to him.
"We cannot linger here any longer. I have just recieved word that the Thanes will meet with you."
We shared uneasy looks, but bravely walked to the iron wagons that served as transport. After settling, it became clear that everyone was lost in their own thoughts. I decided not to bother anyone, and was contented to watch as the scenes of Thorbardin flew by in a blur.
Soon, we would be meeting with the Thanes.
(LINE BREAK)
I FINALLY FINISHED THIS DAMN CHAPTER! HUZZAH! I'm so sorry, guys...
Anyway, in my defense I've been busy. I'm going to Europe for two weeks in less than a month. I'm terriefied and excited at the same time.
As always, feel free to PM me, or review questions/comments/etc. Honestly, I don't bite. I like hearing from everyone.
J'aime écrire. C'est vrai.