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I do not own any of the Dragonlance characters.







Dragons of a Modern Age

chapter two



"How was your day?" Tanis's grandfather asked that night, during dinner. "Taliya here tells me there were two new students. You know, there's a legend about new students around here. A long, long time ago — " He was silenced by the frying pan that Taliya brought down on his head.

"Gods! Grandpa, is it really necessary to give a legend on everything?!"

Tanis shook his head, hiding a slight smile. "It was fine. Laurana and Gilthanas are back."

"Happy to have your friends back?" Taliya asked, ignoring the groaning that came from their grandfather.

"Well, yes . . . " Essentially, that was the truth, but not all of it. But, he was a bit unsettled at how Laurana had grown up to be so beautiful . . . And in love with him. Then there was the fact that Gilthanas knew he liked Kitiara too . . . The whole thing was just so confusing, and even a bit intimidating. His sister peered at him curiously, then shrugged it off, resolving to figure it all out some other time. That is, sometime after she finally got her grandfather to stop spewing myths on random things at the drop of a hat.

"Did you know there's a legend about an old man being knocked out by a frying pan? It started not so long ago — " This time, Tanis brought his elbow down on his head.

The next morning, Tanis arrived just in time to see the principal take Kitiara to the office. "What's going on?"

"Mr. Tanaka wants to speak to her about her studies on Takhisis," Raistlin answered.

"That girl is too fascinated with evil things," Gilthanas commented, joining the group outside the school. "You would do well to forget about liking her," he said quickly in Elven.

The others didn't know enough to follow along, but Tanis understood perfectly. "The heart doesn't follow rational thinking," he replied, still in the same language. "Where's Laurana?"

"Laurana is inside. But, I have a warning for you, if you break her heart, there is nothing to stop me from killing you, against Elven morals or not." Switching back to Common, he said, "The bell has rung. Let's go, or we'll be late."

All through the day, Laurana kept watching. By now, the others had figured out what their situation was, and were just as confused about it as Tas was.

Finally, at the end of the day, Laurana approached him. "Tanthalas?"

"Yes, Laurana?"

"Well . . . I was wondering if you'd like to see a movie with me . . . " she said, rather nervously.

"Uh . . . All right. What time?" Tanis didn't see the look Kitiara shot him.

"Tomorrow after school." Laurana was happy that he accepted, and ignored the look she got from her brother. "Thank you!" Impulsively, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Embarrassed, she ducked her head and hurried home.

Tanis stood there like a statue . . . a red, blushing statue, that is. All he could think about was the feel of her soft lips against his cheek.

Gilthanas, after watching his sister leave, took a look at Tanis and chuckled. It was a very laughable sight. 'Perhaps I don't have to worry about him and Laurana after all.' Then he noticed Kitiara's glare. 'But I'll have to work to keep her from interfering,' he thought. Silently, he turned to go home.

"Tanis?" Caramon asked, waving his hand in front of his face.

"Huh?"

Tas jumped up and down excitedly. "Tanis! You got a date! Can you tell me what happens afterwards? Or, better, yet, I don't suppose I could come along, could I? I won't be too much trouble, I promise! Pl — " He shut up suddenly because Raistlin finally succeeded in casting the silencing spell he had been trying for weeks.

"Congratulations, Tanis," Riverwind said with a hint of a smile.

"Huh?"

Sturm clapped Tanis on the back, nearly making him stagger. "Stop playing dumb. Go home and think on how to act tomorrow."

"Huh?!"

"Sometimes, little brother, I think Grandpa's brainlessness has rubbed off on you."

"Taliya?" Poor Tanis was extremely confused by now.

"Yes, it's me. Who else would I be? Come on, we have to rescue the neighbor's children from Grandpa's preaching." Seeing as he was still too dazed to follow, Taliya put a hand on his shoulder and steered him in the right direction. "Don't worry," she said to the rest of them. "I'll have him fixed up and back to normal by tomorrow morning."







Aah, stupid Writer's Block attacked me. Luckily, it's starting to wear off. I'm going to try and put the next chapter up in a day or two.

Pen D. Fox: Good question . . . Um, let's see . . . The school they go to basically is college, except it functions more like a high school. That make sense?

Ja!