Chapter Five
The Escape
The Arrival
The Attack
The Burning
"Do you think he's ok," Dustin asked, sitting on a tree stump.
"I don't know," Marie responded. "I hope so."
"You really think he could fight his way through all those Dark Knights? Unless that one guy was lying, there's a fair amount of 'em."
"I just. . .I dunno."
"Should we look for him?" Marie cocked her head to the side.
"You hear that?"
"Yeah, sounds like footsteps. A lot of footsteps." He glanced down at the sword, decided to put his hand on the hilt.
"I think maybe we should move somewhere else."
"Too late. Listen to how close the footsteps are. They're nearly right on top of us." He drew the sword, trying unsuccessfully to duplicate Nathan's earlier stance. ....................................
The bushes in front of them were rustling now, and Dustin was seriously thinking of reconsidering and asking this Paladine guy to take him back to Earth, when Nathan came into view. He was talking to an elven woman, a very beautiful elven woman. Dustin's jaw dropped nearly to the tree stump he had been sitting on. "You-you did it," he exclaimed. Nathan looked up at him.
"I sure did. And I'd like you two to meet someone." He gestured to the elven woman. "This is Silvara. She's the Princess of the elves. Silvara, these are my friends, Dustin and Marie. They're both from the same world I am." Dustin raised his eyebrows at that and Marie narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry, E'li told her we'd be coming, and to be prepared. Seems he's been a very busy deity."
"You mean Paladine," Marie asked.
"Yeah. His name's E'li among the elves, and since we are in their land, I figured it'd be polite to call him the same thing they do." He laughed. "I mean we. My Princess, I can't believe you were serious about making me one of you." Dustin nearly fell over in shock at that, and Marie stared at him in wide-eyed shock.
"For liberating our people, you deserve it. It is the least of what we can do, really." She sighed. "I can't tell you what a horror it's been under the Dark Knights." His face took on a look of concern.
"I can imagine. But that's in the past now, remember? Look forward to the future."
"I just wish I could see a future that was good." Nathan gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"A good future can never be seen, it must be fought for. Only at the fight's end can you look ahead and see what you have created for yourself." She smiled at him then, and nodded.
"You're right. I can't be dragged down by memories of the past." She laughed. "Are all humans on your world so wise?" He shook his head.
"I'm not all that wise, my Princess. Just someone that listens to what people say, that's all."
"Well then listen to this, SIR Daystorm. My name is Silvara. Please, call me that."
"But you are-"
"I am Silvara." He sighed.
"You're going to start calling me 'Sir Daystorm' again if I don't, aren't you?" She smiled a mischievous smile. "Alright, alright. Silvara." He looked around and seemed to realize that they weren't moving. "But we should be focusing on getting to Solace right now, my-Silvara." She smiled slightly and then nodded. "Dustin, Marie, we're going to a place called Solace. Hopefully someone there will be able to help us from there."
"You're the leader," Dustin said, falling into step slightly behind him. Marie nodded her agreement. Nathan's face darkened, and though it was only very briefly, Silvara took notice. She slid her hand into his, gave it a gentle squeeze. He looked surprised for a moment, and then smiled his thanks. It had been a long night, and it was just now becoming pleasant. ....................................
Luckily for them Solace wasn't that far off. The Dark Knights indeed did hear of the escape, and they did follow the scouts. So it was, in the early morning hours in Solace, that a small party consisting of three humans and three elves entered Solace, heading directly for the Inn of the Last Home.
Even seventy-five years after the War of Souls, the Inn of the Last Home was still going strong. It was run by Palin Majere, his wife Usha, and their four children, Gil (named after Silvara's father, Gilthas) Caramon (named after Palin's father) Tanin (named after Palin's brother) and their only daughter, Dezra (named after one of the most loyal employees the Inn of the Last Home ever had). They were expecting a fifth, and Palin was trying to convince his wife that if he were a boy, Steel would be a good name, when the small party walked through the doors. Palin, the dear, sweet old man he was, took one look at them and nearly fainted dead away. His wife Usha had more sense than that, at least. She strode over to Silvara and wrapped her up in as firm a hug as a human of that age could. "Silvara, dear, tell me how you got out of Qualinost." Silvara looked to Nathan. Palin, at that point, had managed to regain control of himself and walk over to join them.
"So it was you, eh? You liberated the elves, my boy?" Nathan gave a nervous chuckle and self-consciously scratched the back of his head.
"Well. . .when you put it that way, it sounds like more than it was. All I did was get rid of the guards. The elven people made the escape themselves." Silvara shook her head.
"That's not true, and you know it. You did a great deal for us, for which we can never repay you." Palin eyed Nathan strangely.
"Those are. . .interesting clothes you've got there. Where do you hail from?" Nathan sighed.
"This is going to be a long-"
"Honey, don't you see? These three are the children Paladine told us about," Usha said, interrupting him.
"-story." He blinked in surprise. "Or maybe not." Palin nodded.
"Yes, that makes sense. So, you are the three destined to save Krynn, eh?" Nathan looked at him in wide-eyed horror.
"What?! I thought all we had to do was FIND Takhisis!"
"Oh no, that isn't the case. I don't know why Paladine didn't. . .oh. There WOULD be less pressure on you that way, wouldn't there? Eh-heh. . .sorry." Nathan sighed.
"I feel like I'm in a video-game."
"What's a 'videe-o game," Palin asked. Nathan chuckled.
"Perhaps I could show you some time, if E'li doesn't mind." Palin shook his head.
"I'm afraid the situation is more grave than that. You see, Takhisis has imprisoned the gods in figurines, and scattered them across the universe." Nathan nodded in understanding.
"And we have to find them, right?"
"Yes."
"Why us?"
"Because you can."
"Not without a god to open the ether roads between the worlds for us."
"That's what I meant by because you can." Nathan laughed.
"I'm a god. Right." Palin didn't laugh. "You're joking, right?" Palin shook his head. "I'm a god?" Palin nodded. "No, not a chance. I mean, I would know. Let's face it, I don't look like Reorx, I'm not Solinari, I know I'm not one of the evil gods, and I'm too emotional to be Gilean." Palin nodded.
"Not a god from this world. A world long dead, I'm afraid." He shrugged. "Paladine told me the entire story, because he knew he wouldn't be able to tell it to you later." He sighed. "You see, the world was destroyed, apparently, by it's own technology."
"I see. So, what was I god of? Did E'li tell you?"
"No, he didn't." Nathan shrugged.
"Then it isn't important right now." Nathan turned to Silvara. "We should probably go see whoever's in charge of the Solamnic garrison here. Maybe they can get a message to your Knight about where you are."
"That would be me," said an aged man from a nearby table. Nathan turned, and he beheld Gerard uth Mondar, one of the ugliest Knights ever. He had grown into a kind and gentle man, but the physical appearance of ugliness still remained. "I will have the messages sent right away." He gestured lazily to one of the men sitting at his table and they got up and left, headed for the garrison. "Come, sit with us." Nathan shook his head.
"I'm afraid we don't have time, Sir Gerard. If we have to find these figurines, we should move quickly. Though I don't know how I'll open the way, since I don't even REMEMBER being a god." He blinked in surprise and then said, "Well, more than a few snippets, anyway." Marie spun and Dustin's jaw dropped.
"You mean you KNEW you were a god," Marie said, blanching.
"Dude, why didn't you tell anybody?! That would've been soooo freakin' cool. You could've had any girl you wanted!" Nathan laughed. "Knew is a strong word. I sure as hell didn't KNOW." He paused. "Just a few weird dreams, is all." He laughed. "And as to why I didn't tell anybody, well. . .Dustin, go back to when all this was just a self- insertion fanfic, no more. If I had come up to you then and said I'd had dreams of being a god of some distant world, what would you've said?" Dustin nodded.
"Check and mate," Dustin replied. Nathan turned back to Palin.
"Well, I have a pretty good knowledge about Krynn, but where do you think I should go first? As a citizen, and one of the wisest at that, advice would be greatly appreciated." He gestured to everyone in the room. "That goes for all of you." Marie shook her head.
"What do you mean 'I'? The three of us are in this together, remember?" Nathan shook his head.
"No way. It's too dangerous."
"We're going, no way around it," Dustin replied.
"We'll just tag along whether you want us to or not," Marie said.
"No way to convince you otherwise?" Marie shook her head and Dustin responded in kind. "Alright then, I suppose. You just keep yourselves out of the heavy arrow fire, understand?" Dustin gave him a thumbs up and Marie laughed. Silvara tapped him on the shoulder.
"And what about me?" Nathan's face grew serious and stern.
"Sil, we talked about this before," Nathan replied, using the nickname he came up with for her.
"And you know you didn't gain any ground in that argument." Nathan looked like a rocky plain as he shook his head.
"No, Silvara. You can't come with me. It'll be too dangerous."
"You didn't fight so hard with them," she said, nodding to Dustin and Marie.
"That's because I don't-" he began, and stopped abruptly. She cocked her head in a questioning gesture.
"Don't what?" Nathan sighed and threw up his hands.
"Fine, you can come. Just. . .don't ask any more questions like that, ok?" Silvara giggled.
"Oh no, Sir Daystorm, you're not getting off that easily," she replied, without thinking. She realized what she'd said immediately, and spun to face Gerard. "He wasn't pretending to be a Knight, I just call him one, I'm sorry." Gerard laughed and shook his head.
"What he did was worthy enough for one, if you ask me. As a matter of fact, if you ever get the time, I wouldn't mind helping you gain Knighthood." Nathan shrugged.
"I'd appreciate that," he replied, a bit sullenly, "though I doubt I'll be able to find the time. The first priority is figuring out how to use whatever power I have to open one of those ether roads." Palin's face twisted for a moment in concentration, and then he spoke up.
"I. . .may know of one who could help you with that." Nathan spun so fast it took Palin by surprise.
"No," he replied coldly, "I will NOT study with Dalamar the Dark. Not a chance in the abyss." He blinked in surprise. He'd intended to say 'hell.'
"I don't like the idea much myself, but since I don't have the magic anymore, and my uncle is most DEFINITELY unavailable. . .I think. . .Dalamar is your only answer."
"I won't work with necromancer scum," he replied defiantly. Palin shook his head.
"That isn't fair. He hasn't worked the magic of death for a long time."
"He did it, didn't he?"
"If I may interject," Gerard cut in, and then went on without waiting for a response. "Personally, I agree with Palin." Nathan started to open his mouth, but Gerard rode right over him. "On some points. However, I do agree with you about not wanting to work with a necromancer, either current OR former." He shrugged his shoulders to illustrate his next sentence. "However, this situation isn't about what any of us WANT. It's about what NEEDS TO BE DONE. And, though I am loathe to admit it, seeking the counsel and aid of Dalamar the Dark is what NEEDS to be done. However, nothing needs to be done immediately, so I suggest you wait a few days here until you make your decision." Usha nodded.
"We'd be happy to put all of you up for however long you need." Nathan shook his head.
"It'd be-"
"Too dangerous," Usha cut in, smiling slightly. "My family is well acquainted with danger, don't worry." Nathan returned the smile, but it never touched his eyes, eyes with a tinge of pain in them.
"You're acquainted with the dangers of THIS world. If I had any enemies on the other world, they may come looking for me. And I doubt they'd care that innocents would get hurt in the revenge." His eyes flicked to Gerard with a hint of admiration mixed with a bit of amusement. "Or the dishonor of such an attack, on the grounds that I don't even know how to UNLOCK the power I apparently have." Palin smiled.
"We've got a boy who wants to be a Knight, another who wants to be a mage, and another who is as we speak contemplating why it isn't possible to wield a sword and cast magic at the same time. I don't think we have anything to worry about." He gestured to the sword on Nathan's hip. "And if you were good enough with that sword to get rid of the Dark Knights guarding the elves, I don't think there'll be too much of a problem at all." Again Nathan shook his head.
"I had the element of surprise to aid me there. Here, the enemy would have the element of surprise." He shrugged. "Anyway, I think perhaps we should get my two friends here outfitted with weapons and all of us outfitted with appropriate armor." Gerard shook his head.
"Worry about that later. I suggest relaxing right now, especially after such a long journey. I'll be returning to the garrison to make sure the correct messages are sent to the correct places." He got up and waved. "I'll visit tomorrow, around mid-afternoon, if that would be ok."
"Anytime, Gerard," Palin said, waving in return. Nathan and the others said their good-byes to the man and he left.
"So, what should we do now," Dustin asked. Nathan shrugged.
"You heard Gerard. Relax." Nathan just wished he didn't have to add, silently, that he doubted there'd be much time for it soon. ....................................
The first two nights in Solace went by with not even a hint of danger. Rumor had it that the Dark Knights had followed the scouts, who were headed towards the Plains of Dust, as they had done as refugees years before. This was comforting news to all. Nathan, however, seemed to get edgier and edgier by the hour. Near mid-afternoon of the second day he had become quite paranoid, and by the evening, he was wearing the look of a wild animal. He did not sleep that night, and at around what would be eleven o'clock Earth Time, as he'd come to call it, he began to mumble to himself. It got slightly louder and louder as time progressed, and by about two o'clock, he was speaking clearly. "He is coming. . .he is near. . .I can feel him. . .," and that is the phrase he repeated, over and over again, for the next twenty minutes. Tension built. Until, finally, at about two thirty. . . . ....................................
"He has come." Nathan laughed hysterically. "He is here! He is here and I am not ready! No time, no time! He will kill all, all, ALL!" Gathered in the room prepared for Nathan and Silvara were Palin, and Palin's two oldest sons, Gil and Caramon. Gil was a lithe but muscular boy, and had what appeared to be spell component pouches on his hip, though it was resolved that they couldn't be, as he talked of leaving his sword in his room, and all knew mages could not wield swords. That is, until he talked of wielding both steel and magic. Then they knew. Caramon, taking after his namesake, simply wished to wield a bastard sword, though he talked, rather glibly, of how it would be nice to use a love spell on a pretty girl while demonstrating swordsmanship at a fair. Gerard was there, weaponless, and so were Dustin and Marie. Silvara stood by Nathan's bed, holding his hand, and Nathan lay in it, though he was now beginning to try and sit up. Silvara stopped him with a gentle hand, and a soft reply that no one was coming, especially not to kill anyone.
That is, of course, until the loud explosion from downstairs. Silvara was momentarily shocked, and Nathan used that opportunity to roll out of bed. He wore his sword on his hip, had secretly strapped it on before slipping under the covers earlier, and he pushed through the small crowd at the front of the room and ran down the stairs.
What he saw would have made him sick had he not been so focused. Tables were overturned, patrons lay dead, and Dezra Majere, a skinny girl of twelve, was being held up in the air, apparently being strangled, though no hand held her. This would have made him vomit up all the food he'd eaten the past two months had he not been so focused. Now, he just stepped up onto a table, placing himself directly in front of Dezra. His right hand held his sword hilt tightly; ready to draw it at a moments notice. "Put her down, Egan. She is not involved in this." Palin and the others came to a halt at the bottom of the steps, trying to keep out of sight while maintaining a good vantage point.
Egan was a man of slightly above average height, with blue-ish green hair, a gray coat, baggy green pants, and sturdy black boots. A sword was strapped to his back, and a sadistic grin adorned his face. "So, boy, you remember?"
"You speak not to the boy, Egan. You speak to Dracos."
"Ah, so you have kept yourself separate, have you? And you take control of the boy in times of need?" The man laughed. "Well, I suppose THAT is how he defeated these. . .Dark Knights. Hardly a capable lot, yet they at least know how to handle swords enough not to kill themselves."
"No. That was his skill, and his skill alone. Now, put her DOWN, Egan. You are beginning to make me angry." A small grin curled up on Nathan's face. "Do you remember the LAST time you got me angry?" Egan opened his mouth, only to be cut off by Nathan-or Dracos-laughing softly. "You were as headstrong and foolhardy then as you are now. I'm glad to see time has not changed you. It makes you that much easier to defeat."
"Fool! Do you truly believe you can defeat me without your power? What a joke!" Nathan/Dracos shook his head.
"You're beginning to bore me, Egan. Now, if you'd please, put her down and be gone. I grow weary of this. . .farce." Egan let out a wild laugh.
"You are a fool."
"No, Egan, YOU are the FOOL," Nathan's/Dracos's voice boomed. "You are NOT Ominus, no matter how much you wish to BE him. You are merely a SERVANT. An EXPENDABLE SERVANT!"
"I, Dracos," Egan sneered the name, "am more powerful than you are."
"For the moment," Dracos replied. "But there are other ways to carve a stalanus." Suddenly the sword at his hip was drawn, and Dracos flashed forward, slicing Egan's wrist. Dezra dropped to the floor. "Palin, you and the others get out of here. Run from this city, and don't look back. Take the elves with you. He is more powerful than I am right now, and I don't know if I'll be able to hold him off for very long." Caramon and Gil, just arriving at the bottom of the steps from retrieving their weapons, strode out to stand next to Dracos, Caramon on his left and Gil on his right.
"Not a chance. You come with us." Egan grinned and clapped his hands.
"How cute, a show of affection and defiance, all rolled into one! If this little rebellion weren't made up of worms, I'd be afraid. But, as it happens, I want you alive for now, Dracos. So, I'll leave you with a rather permanent calling card to remember me by!" Dracos cursed and dove down, taking the two boys with him. Egan flew by, and started lighting the inn on fire simply by pointing. He soared out the open door into the night air. Dracos hauled the boys up, directed Caramon to carry his sister, and shouted at the others.
"MOVE!" Everyone darted out the door, finding a horrific sight before them. ....................................
Egan was flying all over the city, lighting everything he possibly could on fire. "He's giving us time to escape," Dracos roared above the sound of the fires, quickly becoming a thundering inferno. "You won't like what he does next."
The entire group sputtered to a halt about thirty feet from the city. "Keep moving," Dracos urged, but no one did. He shook his head and said, "Don't say I didn't warn you." Egan was hovering in the night air, laughing like a maniac. Fireballs hovered slightly above his upturned palms. Suddenly, the balls disappeared. For a moment, nothing happened, and the wary group began to relax, all except Dracos. He gripped Silvara's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, and she realized he was Nathan again, or mostly. She was about to ask him what the squeeze was for, but then, painfully, found out.
The entire city of Solace lit up like a pile of dry twigs.
....................................
Note: Ok, just a couple of things. The saying, "There are other ways to carve a stalanus," refers to a saying from the world that Dracos was a God of. It refers to a process in which a piece of wood, called a stalani, was carved into a beautiful statue of a God. It was then called a stalanus. And, as the saying dictates, there was a different way to carve such a replica for each God. Well, if you have any questions please mention them; I'll try to address them. Please R&R, and if you'd like, e-mail me. Also, another thing I've just noticed. In the prologue, Dustin was named Michael. I accidentally changed his name without realizing it. I'll go back and change it later, but some of you are probably wondering who this Dustin is. Well, it's him. Sorry for the confusion. You'll probably see where I got the name Dustin from soon; in a different story I'll be uploading. It's an original, so it'll be on FictionPress.net, just to let you know.
"Do you think he's ok," Dustin asked, sitting on a tree stump.
"I don't know," Marie responded. "I hope so."
"You really think he could fight his way through all those Dark Knights? Unless that one guy was lying, there's a fair amount of 'em."
"I just. . .I dunno."
"Should we look for him?" Marie cocked her head to the side.
"You hear that?"
"Yeah, sounds like footsteps. A lot of footsteps." He glanced down at the sword, decided to put his hand on the hilt.
"I think maybe we should move somewhere else."
"Too late. Listen to how close the footsteps are. They're nearly right on top of us." He drew the sword, trying unsuccessfully to duplicate Nathan's earlier stance. ....................................
The bushes in front of them were rustling now, and Dustin was seriously thinking of reconsidering and asking this Paladine guy to take him back to Earth, when Nathan came into view. He was talking to an elven woman, a very beautiful elven woman. Dustin's jaw dropped nearly to the tree stump he had been sitting on. "You-you did it," he exclaimed. Nathan looked up at him.
"I sure did. And I'd like you two to meet someone." He gestured to the elven woman. "This is Silvara. She's the Princess of the elves. Silvara, these are my friends, Dustin and Marie. They're both from the same world I am." Dustin raised his eyebrows at that and Marie narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry, E'li told her we'd be coming, and to be prepared. Seems he's been a very busy deity."
"You mean Paladine," Marie asked.
"Yeah. His name's E'li among the elves, and since we are in their land, I figured it'd be polite to call him the same thing they do." He laughed. "I mean we. My Princess, I can't believe you were serious about making me one of you." Dustin nearly fell over in shock at that, and Marie stared at him in wide-eyed shock.
"For liberating our people, you deserve it. It is the least of what we can do, really." She sighed. "I can't tell you what a horror it's been under the Dark Knights." His face took on a look of concern.
"I can imagine. But that's in the past now, remember? Look forward to the future."
"I just wish I could see a future that was good." Nathan gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"A good future can never be seen, it must be fought for. Only at the fight's end can you look ahead and see what you have created for yourself." She smiled at him then, and nodded.
"You're right. I can't be dragged down by memories of the past." She laughed. "Are all humans on your world so wise?" He shook his head.
"I'm not all that wise, my Princess. Just someone that listens to what people say, that's all."
"Well then listen to this, SIR Daystorm. My name is Silvara. Please, call me that."
"But you are-"
"I am Silvara." He sighed.
"You're going to start calling me 'Sir Daystorm' again if I don't, aren't you?" She smiled a mischievous smile. "Alright, alright. Silvara." He looked around and seemed to realize that they weren't moving. "But we should be focusing on getting to Solace right now, my-Silvara." She smiled slightly and then nodded. "Dustin, Marie, we're going to a place called Solace. Hopefully someone there will be able to help us from there."
"You're the leader," Dustin said, falling into step slightly behind him. Marie nodded her agreement. Nathan's face darkened, and though it was only very briefly, Silvara took notice. She slid her hand into his, gave it a gentle squeeze. He looked surprised for a moment, and then smiled his thanks. It had been a long night, and it was just now becoming pleasant. ....................................
Luckily for them Solace wasn't that far off. The Dark Knights indeed did hear of the escape, and they did follow the scouts. So it was, in the early morning hours in Solace, that a small party consisting of three humans and three elves entered Solace, heading directly for the Inn of the Last Home.
Even seventy-five years after the War of Souls, the Inn of the Last Home was still going strong. It was run by Palin Majere, his wife Usha, and their four children, Gil (named after Silvara's father, Gilthas) Caramon (named after Palin's father) Tanin (named after Palin's brother) and their only daughter, Dezra (named after one of the most loyal employees the Inn of the Last Home ever had). They were expecting a fifth, and Palin was trying to convince his wife that if he were a boy, Steel would be a good name, when the small party walked through the doors. Palin, the dear, sweet old man he was, took one look at them and nearly fainted dead away. His wife Usha had more sense than that, at least. She strode over to Silvara and wrapped her up in as firm a hug as a human of that age could. "Silvara, dear, tell me how you got out of Qualinost." Silvara looked to Nathan. Palin, at that point, had managed to regain control of himself and walk over to join them.
"So it was you, eh? You liberated the elves, my boy?" Nathan gave a nervous chuckle and self-consciously scratched the back of his head.
"Well. . .when you put it that way, it sounds like more than it was. All I did was get rid of the guards. The elven people made the escape themselves." Silvara shook her head.
"That's not true, and you know it. You did a great deal for us, for which we can never repay you." Palin eyed Nathan strangely.
"Those are. . .interesting clothes you've got there. Where do you hail from?" Nathan sighed.
"This is going to be a long-"
"Honey, don't you see? These three are the children Paladine told us about," Usha said, interrupting him.
"-story." He blinked in surprise. "Or maybe not." Palin nodded.
"Yes, that makes sense. So, you are the three destined to save Krynn, eh?" Nathan looked at him in wide-eyed horror.
"What?! I thought all we had to do was FIND Takhisis!"
"Oh no, that isn't the case. I don't know why Paladine didn't. . .oh. There WOULD be less pressure on you that way, wouldn't there? Eh-heh. . .sorry." Nathan sighed.
"I feel like I'm in a video-game."
"What's a 'videe-o game," Palin asked. Nathan chuckled.
"Perhaps I could show you some time, if E'li doesn't mind." Palin shook his head.
"I'm afraid the situation is more grave than that. You see, Takhisis has imprisoned the gods in figurines, and scattered them across the universe." Nathan nodded in understanding.
"And we have to find them, right?"
"Yes."
"Why us?"
"Because you can."
"Not without a god to open the ether roads between the worlds for us."
"That's what I meant by because you can." Nathan laughed.
"I'm a god. Right." Palin didn't laugh. "You're joking, right?" Palin shook his head. "I'm a god?" Palin nodded. "No, not a chance. I mean, I would know. Let's face it, I don't look like Reorx, I'm not Solinari, I know I'm not one of the evil gods, and I'm too emotional to be Gilean." Palin nodded.
"Not a god from this world. A world long dead, I'm afraid." He shrugged. "Paladine told me the entire story, because he knew he wouldn't be able to tell it to you later." He sighed. "You see, the world was destroyed, apparently, by it's own technology."
"I see. So, what was I god of? Did E'li tell you?"
"No, he didn't." Nathan shrugged.
"Then it isn't important right now." Nathan turned to Silvara. "We should probably go see whoever's in charge of the Solamnic garrison here. Maybe they can get a message to your Knight about where you are."
"That would be me," said an aged man from a nearby table. Nathan turned, and he beheld Gerard uth Mondar, one of the ugliest Knights ever. He had grown into a kind and gentle man, but the physical appearance of ugliness still remained. "I will have the messages sent right away." He gestured lazily to one of the men sitting at his table and they got up and left, headed for the garrison. "Come, sit with us." Nathan shook his head.
"I'm afraid we don't have time, Sir Gerard. If we have to find these figurines, we should move quickly. Though I don't know how I'll open the way, since I don't even REMEMBER being a god." He blinked in surprise and then said, "Well, more than a few snippets, anyway." Marie spun and Dustin's jaw dropped.
"You mean you KNEW you were a god," Marie said, blanching.
"Dude, why didn't you tell anybody?! That would've been soooo freakin' cool. You could've had any girl you wanted!" Nathan laughed. "Knew is a strong word. I sure as hell didn't KNOW." He paused. "Just a few weird dreams, is all." He laughed. "And as to why I didn't tell anybody, well. . .Dustin, go back to when all this was just a self- insertion fanfic, no more. If I had come up to you then and said I'd had dreams of being a god of some distant world, what would you've said?" Dustin nodded.
"Check and mate," Dustin replied. Nathan turned back to Palin.
"Well, I have a pretty good knowledge about Krynn, but where do you think I should go first? As a citizen, and one of the wisest at that, advice would be greatly appreciated." He gestured to everyone in the room. "That goes for all of you." Marie shook her head.
"What do you mean 'I'? The three of us are in this together, remember?" Nathan shook his head.
"No way. It's too dangerous."
"We're going, no way around it," Dustin replied.
"We'll just tag along whether you want us to or not," Marie said.
"No way to convince you otherwise?" Marie shook her head and Dustin responded in kind. "Alright then, I suppose. You just keep yourselves out of the heavy arrow fire, understand?" Dustin gave him a thumbs up and Marie laughed. Silvara tapped him on the shoulder.
"And what about me?" Nathan's face grew serious and stern.
"Sil, we talked about this before," Nathan replied, using the nickname he came up with for her.
"And you know you didn't gain any ground in that argument." Nathan looked like a rocky plain as he shook his head.
"No, Silvara. You can't come with me. It'll be too dangerous."
"You didn't fight so hard with them," she said, nodding to Dustin and Marie.
"That's because I don't-" he began, and stopped abruptly. She cocked her head in a questioning gesture.
"Don't what?" Nathan sighed and threw up his hands.
"Fine, you can come. Just. . .don't ask any more questions like that, ok?" Silvara giggled.
"Oh no, Sir Daystorm, you're not getting off that easily," she replied, without thinking. She realized what she'd said immediately, and spun to face Gerard. "He wasn't pretending to be a Knight, I just call him one, I'm sorry." Gerard laughed and shook his head.
"What he did was worthy enough for one, if you ask me. As a matter of fact, if you ever get the time, I wouldn't mind helping you gain Knighthood." Nathan shrugged.
"I'd appreciate that," he replied, a bit sullenly, "though I doubt I'll be able to find the time. The first priority is figuring out how to use whatever power I have to open one of those ether roads." Palin's face twisted for a moment in concentration, and then he spoke up.
"I. . .may know of one who could help you with that." Nathan spun so fast it took Palin by surprise.
"No," he replied coldly, "I will NOT study with Dalamar the Dark. Not a chance in the abyss." He blinked in surprise. He'd intended to say 'hell.'
"I don't like the idea much myself, but since I don't have the magic anymore, and my uncle is most DEFINITELY unavailable. . .I think. . .Dalamar is your only answer."
"I won't work with necromancer scum," he replied defiantly. Palin shook his head.
"That isn't fair. He hasn't worked the magic of death for a long time."
"He did it, didn't he?"
"If I may interject," Gerard cut in, and then went on without waiting for a response. "Personally, I agree with Palin." Nathan started to open his mouth, but Gerard rode right over him. "On some points. However, I do agree with you about not wanting to work with a necromancer, either current OR former." He shrugged his shoulders to illustrate his next sentence. "However, this situation isn't about what any of us WANT. It's about what NEEDS TO BE DONE. And, though I am loathe to admit it, seeking the counsel and aid of Dalamar the Dark is what NEEDS to be done. However, nothing needs to be done immediately, so I suggest you wait a few days here until you make your decision." Usha nodded.
"We'd be happy to put all of you up for however long you need." Nathan shook his head.
"It'd be-"
"Too dangerous," Usha cut in, smiling slightly. "My family is well acquainted with danger, don't worry." Nathan returned the smile, but it never touched his eyes, eyes with a tinge of pain in them.
"You're acquainted with the dangers of THIS world. If I had any enemies on the other world, they may come looking for me. And I doubt they'd care that innocents would get hurt in the revenge." His eyes flicked to Gerard with a hint of admiration mixed with a bit of amusement. "Or the dishonor of such an attack, on the grounds that I don't even know how to UNLOCK the power I apparently have." Palin smiled.
"We've got a boy who wants to be a Knight, another who wants to be a mage, and another who is as we speak contemplating why it isn't possible to wield a sword and cast magic at the same time. I don't think we have anything to worry about." He gestured to the sword on Nathan's hip. "And if you were good enough with that sword to get rid of the Dark Knights guarding the elves, I don't think there'll be too much of a problem at all." Again Nathan shook his head.
"I had the element of surprise to aid me there. Here, the enemy would have the element of surprise." He shrugged. "Anyway, I think perhaps we should get my two friends here outfitted with weapons and all of us outfitted with appropriate armor." Gerard shook his head.
"Worry about that later. I suggest relaxing right now, especially after such a long journey. I'll be returning to the garrison to make sure the correct messages are sent to the correct places." He got up and waved. "I'll visit tomorrow, around mid-afternoon, if that would be ok."
"Anytime, Gerard," Palin said, waving in return. Nathan and the others said their good-byes to the man and he left.
"So, what should we do now," Dustin asked. Nathan shrugged.
"You heard Gerard. Relax." Nathan just wished he didn't have to add, silently, that he doubted there'd be much time for it soon. ....................................
The first two nights in Solace went by with not even a hint of danger. Rumor had it that the Dark Knights had followed the scouts, who were headed towards the Plains of Dust, as they had done as refugees years before. This was comforting news to all. Nathan, however, seemed to get edgier and edgier by the hour. Near mid-afternoon of the second day he had become quite paranoid, and by the evening, he was wearing the look of a wild animal. He did not sleep that night, and at around what would be eleven o'clock Earth Time, as he'd come to call it, he began to mumble to himself. It got slightly louder and louder as time progressed, and by about two o'clock, he was speaking clearly. "He is coming. . .he is near. . .I can feel him. . .," and that is the phrase he repeated, over and over again, for the next twenty minutes. Tension built. Until, finally, at about two thirty. . . . ....................................
"He has come." Nathan laughed hysterically. "He is here! He is here and I am not ready! No time, no time! He will kill all, all, ALL!" Gathered in the room prepared for Nathan and Silvara were Palin, and Palin's two oldest sons, Gil and Caramon. Gil was a lithe but muscular boy, and had what appeared to be spell component pouches on his hip, though it was resolved that they couldn't be, as he talked of leaving his sword in his room, and all knew mages could not wield swords. That is, until he talked of wielding both steel and magic. Then they knew. Caramon, taking after his namesake, simply wished to wield a bastard sword, though he talked, rather glibly, of how it would be nice to use a love spell on a pretty girl while demonstrating swordsmanship at a fair. Gerard was there, weaponless, and so were Dustin and Marie. Silvara stood by Nathan's bed, holding his hand, and Nathan lay in it, though he was now beginning to try and sit up. Silvara stopped him with a gentle hand, and a soft reply that no one was coming, especially not to kill anyone.
That is, of course, until the loud explosion from downstairs. Silvara was momentarily shocked, and Nathan used that opportunity to roll out of bed. He wore his sword on his hip, had secretly strapped it on before slipping under the covers earlier, and he pushed through the small crowd at the front of the room and ran down the stairs.
What he saw would have made him sick had he not been so focused. Tables were overturned, patrons lay dead, and Dezra Majere, a skinny girl of twelve, was being held up in the air, apparently being strangled, though no hand held her. This would have made him vomit up all the food he'd eaten the past two months had he not been so focused. Now, he just stepped up onto a table, placing himself directly in front of Dezra. His right hand held his sword hilt tightly; ready to draw it at a moments notice. "Put her down, Egan. She is not involved in this." Palin and the others came to a halt at the bottom of the steps, trying to keep out of sight while maintaining a good vantage point.
Egan was a man of slightly above average height, with blue-ish green hair, a gray coat, baggy green pants, and sturdy black boots. A sword was strapped to his back, and a sadistic grin adorned his face. "So, boy, you remember?"
"You speak not to the boy, Egan. You speak to Dracos."
"Ah, so you have kept yourself separate, have you? And you take control of the boy in times of need?" The man laughed. "Well, I suppose THAT is how he defeated these. . .Dark Knights. Hardly a capable lot, yet they at least know how to handle swords enough not to kill themselves."
"No. That was his skill, and his skill alone. Now, put her DOWN, Egan. You are beginning to make me angry." A small grin curled up on Nathan's face. "Do you remember the LAST time you got me angry?" Egan opened his mouth, only to be cut off by Nathan-or Dracos-laughing softly. "You were as headstrong and foolhardy then as you are now. I'm glad to see time has not changed you. It makes you that much easier to defeat."
"Fool! Do you truly believe you can defeat me without your power? What a joke!" Nathan/Dracos shook his head.
"You're beginning to bore me, Egan. Now, if you'd please, put her down and be gone. I grow weary of this. . .farce." Egan let out a wild laugh.
"You are a fool."
"No, Egan, YOU are the FOOL," Nathan's/Dracos's voice boomed. "You are NOT Ominus, no matter how much you wish to BE him. You are merely a SERVANT. An EXPENDABLE SERVANT!"
"I, Dracos," Egan sneered the name, "am more powerful than you are."
"For the moment," Dracos replied. "But there are other ways to carve a stalanus." Suddenly the sword at his hip was drawn, and Dracos flashed forward, slicing Egan's wrist. Dezra dropped to the floor. "Palin, you and the others get out of here. Run from this city, and don't look back. Take the elves with you. He is more powerful than I am right now, and I don't know if I'll be able to hold him off for very long." Caramon and Gil, just arriving at the bottom of the steps from retrieving their weapons, strode out to stand next to Dracos, Caramon on his left and Gil on his right.
"Not a chance. You come with us." Egan grinned and clapped his hands.
"How cute, a show of affection and defiance, all rolled into one! If this little rebellion weren't made up of worms, I'd be afraid. But, as it happens, I want you alive for now, Dracos. So, I'll leave you with a rather permanent calling card to remember me by!" Dracos cursed and dove down, taking the two boys with him. Egan flew by, and started lighting the inn on fire simply by pointing. He soared out the open door into the night air. Dracos hauled the boys up, directed Caramon to carry his sister, and shouted at the others.
"MOVE!" Everyone darted out the door, finding a horrific sight before them. ....................................
Egan was flying all over the city, lighting everything he possibly could on fire. "He's giving us time to escape," Dracos roared above the sound of the fires, quickly becoming a thundering inferno. "You won't like what he does next."
The entire group sputtered to a halt about thirty feet from the city. "Keep moving," Dracos urged, but no one did. He shook his head and said, "Don't say I didn't warn you." Egan was hovering in the night air, laughing like a maniac. Fireballs hovered slightly above his upturned palms. Suddenly, the balls disappeared. For a moment, nothing happened, and the wary group began to relax, all except Dracos. He gripped Silvara's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, and she realized he was Nathan again, or mostly. She was about to ask him what the squeeze was for, but then, painfully, found out.
The entire city of Solace lit up like a pile of dry twigs.
....................................
Note: Ok, just a couple of things. The saying, "There are other ways to carve a stalanus," refers to a saying from the world that Dracos was a God of. It refers to a process in which a piece of wood, called a stalani, was carved into a beautiful statue of a God. It was then called a stalanus. And, as the saying dictates, there was a different way to carve such a replica for each God. Well, if you have any questions please mention them; I'll try to address them. Please R&R, and if you'd like, e-mail me. Also, another thing I've just noticed. In the prologue, Dustin was named Michael. I accidentally changed his name without realizing it. I'll go back and change it later, but some of you are probably wondering who this Dustin is. Well, it's him. Sorry for the confusion. You'll probably see where I got the name Dustin from soon; in a different story I'll be uploading. It's an original, so it'll be on FictionPress.net, just to let you know.