Chapter 8


That winter brought a plague to Solace. Rasitlin and Mora had been engaged for about three months when the first leg of the disease spred. The young couple worked endlessly amoung the sick, along with Mistress Meggin. Toward the last weeks the disease was in Solace, Mistress Meggin began to run short on an herb needed in one of her concoctions. Mora agreed that she would go to Haven, and purchase more from Lemuel. The night before she left was spent with Raistlin in their clearing.

"I don't want you going alone," said Raistlin. "Stay here and help your aunt. Let me go to Haven."

Mora sighed. "Raistlin, you know you'll be a better help here. You work well amoung the sick. I'll be fine."

"Did you forget what happened to you on your way to Solace?" asked Raistlin angrily.

"Raistlin, everything will be fine," she said, holding her hand in her own. "I'll be with some farmers. Nothing could go wrong."

Raistlin nodded. "Alright, I won't argue with you any more over this."

Mora raised her eyebrow. "I didn't think you would." Laying back in his arms, the two stayed together until dawn, when Mora left for Haven.



Mora tried to sleep. The group of farmers were on their way back to Solace. The ride was bumpy, but was peaceful. Mora touched the gems on her ring, thinking about Raistlin. She smiled, as she moved her hand and touched her stomach. While in Haven, she had stopped in to see the mid-wife, a woman who not only delivered babies, but also was more or less the town's 'docter'. Mora had been experiancing morning sickness, and the old woman had confirmed Mora's suspicions. She was a month along with Raistlin's child. She wasn't sure how he would react to this news, but she knew he wouldn't be angry. Suddenly, the cart jerked to a stop.

Mora stuck her head out of the back to see what the problem was, and she was met with a sword.

"Get out." said the man. Slowly, Mora obeyed. Mora almost fainted when she saw who was leading this group of bandits.

"No, you're dead," she whispered. Jarod, the man who had led the attack on the cart she had been in on her way to Solace the spring prior, was the one leading this attack as well. No longer were his features visable; half his face was a giant scar that led its way down his neck, and she knew, continued to his chest. Quickly she dropped her gaze, praying that he wouldn't recognize her.

Jarod lifted his short sword into the air. "Torch the carts. Bring the girl here."

Mora twisted deftly in her captive's hands, and hit his hand, making him drop the sword. Picking it up, she stuck it through his chest and then tugged it free. "Let us go," she said, holding the sword out in front of her and at Jarod. "Let us go, or I'll kill you."

Jarod laughed. Mora tried to fend off his attacks, but she never recieved much training with a sword. Jarod easily knocked the blade from her hands and put the tip of his sword to her neck. Mora braced herself and waited for him to push it through. Jarod stayed his hand when he saw her remarkable emerald green eyes.

"It's you, you bitch," he growled, hoisting her to her feet. "You're that whore who did this to me!" he shouted, shaking her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Mora, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

"It is you!" Jarod curled his fist and hit her across the face. Mora crumpled at his feet, trying desperately to hold on to conciousness. Jarod grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back. "Look what you've done to me!" he screamed, forcing her to stare at his destroyed features. "You're going to suffer before I kill you," he swore, grabbing her and forcing her to go with him.

"Kill them all," he ordered, taking Mora into the forest.