Paladine was in the plane of existence where the gods lived. He, his
brother, Gilean, and his sister, Takhisis were standing around the baby.
"What have you done, Brother?" Takhisis asked in a low voice. "She is a
mortal, let alone Raistlin's daughter! Raistlin! The mortal who dared to
be a god! You would bring his spawn here to threaten us?"
"Sister, if you believe that a baby who is no more than a day old is a
threat to you and your rule." he let the sentence hang in the air. Takhisis
glared at him.
"I merely meant that this would be the ideal chance for Raistlin to free
himself. If he possessed his daughter's body." she didn't finish the
sentence.
"Brother, as much as I hate to agree," Gilean started. "Takhisis has a
point. "What if Raistlin were to wake? He would sense his daughter near.
You must bring her back to the mortal realms."
"I know my Brother. When eight years have passed-"
"Eight years!" Takhisis exploded. "In eight years all those living on
Ansalon now will have been long dead!"
"Eight of their years, Takhisis. They will be over quickly." Time passes
differently in the realm of gods than it does on Krynn. "She will be sent
to live with Caramon Majere, and his wife, Tika. They have no children yet,
but they will. I want them to be used to having a child around before I
spring Rivin on them."
"Rivin?" Gilean mused.
"Crysania named her. I will not let her grow here. She will stay no older
than a day for her stay here."
There was silence for a moment, then Her dark Majesty spoke up. "She is
like her father already, Paladine."
"You can't know what she'll be like, Sister-"
"You know as well as I, Brother. Look at her, Paladine. Look at her eyes."
The god of good stooped slightly to do as he was bid. When he
straightened, his face was impassive.
"I see nothing in her eyes but respect for us."
"Come now Brother, you know that is not true!" Takhisis said savagely.
"There is respect in her eyes, but there is also the quiet, calculating
intelligence of her father. And there is something missing. She respects
us, but she does not fear us."
"Not all mor-"
"Yes, brother, all mortals do fear us. That was Raistlin's mistake. He did
not fear us, and so he dared to become us. If that is the same for his
daughter, she must be disposed of-"
"No." Paladine's voice was to low, and full of venom. "She is the daughter
of my Chosen. And I will not destroy a child who is guilty of no more than
her heritage."
"Then I shall!" Takhisis cried. "She cannot be allowed to live! What do you
think she will do? Become a good little White Robed mage, allying herself
with your precious son? No, Brother, at the best, she might, might be come
a Red Robe. But the tug from her father will be too strong. At worst, what
I am sure will happen, she will become a Black Robe, and finish her
father's work. Raistlin's mistake was simple- he did not have to kill you,
or Gilean. If her were to kill only me, he would have ruled over evil! Do
you think it will take her a lifetime to figure that out? I don't! She will
turn to the darkness, to my son. Did you hold a hope that she would become
a cleric to you? Think again, my brother! She-"
"ENOUGH!" boomed Gilean. "This has gone to far! Paladine is right; we
cannot kill a child because of their family. We must let her live on until
she gives any sign of taking up her father's footsteps. She will live here
for eight years."
Takhisis was fuming. "Who are you to order us-"
"Your brother, Gilean, god of neutrality." He said, his voice low. "I am
the peacemaker of our family, my godly siblings. Heed my words." There was
silence for a moment, then, "Very well," Her Dark Majesty said angrily.
"She may live here. But keep her away from me, lest you want her dead!" She
disappeared. Paladine smiled sadly.
"She'll be mad for quite a while." he said lightly.
"She will."
Paladine sighed. "I think she needs to be changed." he looked at Gilean.
"If you want someone to do it, go ask your precious son. Or maybe Lunitari
will do it." He smiled slightly. "She's a good one, she is." He looked down
at Rivin. "I hope she turns out the same, Brother. I hope she turns out the
same."
