A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! We were starting to worry, lol.

Chapter Four
Beached
Raistlin found Dougan almost where he had left him, only watching the gnomes work. Raistlin, who had a bit of a prejudice against gnomes, was already near the end of his notoriously short patience. Being stuck on a gnome ship after being taken half against his will, was enough to bring him even closer to losing what temper he had.

It was typical of gnomish invention, and well named. If they got back in one piece it would certainly be a miracle.

Leaning on his Staff as he did so, Raistlin chose to make a point as he changed to his more famous form, the one with gold skin, and said, "Now that my nephews are otherwise occupied, I would like to speak to you."

Dougan turned around, his eyes opened slightly in surprise at seeing Raistlin as every one knew him, and answered in his dwarves accent., "O'course. What concerns ye?"

"The Greygem is notorious for having guards, either wittingly or unwittingly, I wish to know what we are facing. I lost one nephew to the meddling of the Gods, I'll not lose more," stated Raistlin in his usual whisper, half relieved to not have to hide his identity, even for a short time. "I can see by the slant of the sun that we head in a Northerly direction. That means warmer climes. What kind of plant life can we expect, and what kind of temperatures?"

Dougan sighed and scratched his bearded chin. "Warm. Jungle. I don't think your nephews will appreciate it with their type of armor. Come to think of it, you might not with your robes. The natives wear as little as possible," Dougan watched as Raistlin fell silent, his eyes distant as he thought. "As fer guards, I don't know. Don't think you can get out of the deal, Guardian, just because it's not to yer liking."

"Nothing of the sort crossed my mind, Reorx," Raistlin tapped the bronze shod end of his Staff on the deck as if in emphasis. "I need to know what to expect so as to prepare my spells, and think of what to equip my nephew's. What are the natives capable of? Do they fight with steel, or wood and stone? Do they have spell users of some sort?"

Dougan thought for a minute, "No steel, very rudimentary. I don't know of any other spell users on the island, other than Gargath, and I suspect he's dead."

Raistlin thought on this and paced to the rail as the cycling sail that the gnomish ship used as propulsion cycled over, dumping fish on all. He frowned, then scowled at the nearest gnome, watching as it ran screaming in terror back to what it had been doing. He turned his attention back to Dougan, "Nice to know you still have that effect on gnomes, Guardian."

Tanin and Sturm sat in their quarters. Sturm was polishing the last of the shine into his sword and Tanin was checking his gear for wear and tear. The door opened and they looked up to see their uncle standing there.

With much vexation, they then watched him as he stripped off his leather armor... and moments later put it back on. He looked at them, grasped his Staff. "Up, we have a bit of a side trip to make. I told Dougan to throw anchor when we get to Gargath Isle, and he has."

"We're here?" asked Tanin, now aware of the lack of motion from the ship, although it still swayed with the gentle rocking of the waves.

"Yes, we're here," said Raistlin with a sigh as he beckoned them closer to him. "And you aren't going to like what I say next."

"What's that?" asked Tanin as he as Sturm did as beckoned.

A few seconds later, the two brothers felt the unnerving feel of the magic as the ship seemed to fade away, moments later they stood in a lab. Tanin asked, "Where are we?"

"My lab in Palanthas," answered Raistlin nonchalantly, stripping himself of his armor.

Both brothers stopped dead in their tracks, Sturm backed into Raistlin as one of the spectral guardians appeared, "Master. We had expected you so soon."

"I'm not going to be here long..." answered Raistlin. "Summon my apprentice. I have need of him."

"Yes, Master," the spectre disappeared.

Sturm and Tanin settled on a corner of the lab that was relatively clear of dust and other arcane devices. Sturm whispered to Tanin, "Definitely more powerful than Palin. He's wealthy too..."

Tanin had also noticed that detail. Raistlin by far was not suffering for money. Anything he could ever want was within easy asking, magical or not. Then again, such wealth and power came with being the most powerful magus on Krynn... indeed, to ever walk Krynn. Tanin relaxed, whispering back, "And he likes us, we're family. While we're with him, we're his guests. No one here can harm us, so relax."

Sturm thought for a moment and nodded his head, visibly relaxing. Raistlin walked over to them, his armor in hand, "Redhammer tells me that where we're going is hot and humid. The natives fight with stone and wood."

Raistlin thrust his armor into Tanin's hands. "Wear this, it will be more comfortable. Ironically, given the power of the magic in the armor, even though it's mere leather, it will be more protection than the unenchanted plate you wear," Raistlin opened a few cupboards, seemingly looking for something, finding it, he pulled out the rest of the same suit. "I usually only wear the breastplate and arm guards, but you will find the rest of the suit more to your liking."

Sturm shuffled his feet, "Uncle, what about me?"

Raistlin paced a bit, "Unfortunately, I have only one suit in my possession. I never had to think of another. I know you would likely not go unarmored, and to do so in plate would be suicidal considering the clime. You, Sturm, are not going to like my answer."

Sturm looked at him questioningly, "What answer... oh no, not here! Uncle, I can at least wait on the Miracle!"

If possible, Raistlin's face grew grimmer, "Unfortunately, for your own good, yes, you have to. If I leave you on the Miracle, you would be tempted to come to our aid as you are, and I suspect that the fewer of us that go the better."

Finally, the door opened to reveal a slightly out of breath Dalamar, "Shalafi, I was not expecting your return so soon... Oh... you've brought guests..."

"Yes..." said Raistlin. "I have. Sturm will be staying a few days. I will not, and Tanin will accompanying me. Since I'm not in them, I certainly hope my personal suite is not taken?"

Dalamar shook his head, "No, Shalafi, it is not. I had it cleared out once I learned of your return to the face of Krynn. All of your belongings were returned, all is as you left it."

"Good then," said Raistlin, looking at Sturm. "Sturm, I trust you have met my apprentice, Dalamar? No? Dalamar, this is my youngest nephew, Sturm Majere. He is my guest and will be treated as such. I know the guardians will know their duty... I certainly hope you do as well. Sturm, this is my apprentice Dalamar Nightson. If you require anything, deal directly with him."

Dalamar stepped close to Sturm, "May I ask..."

"I would explain,"said Raistlin. "But we don't have time. Tanin..."

Raistlin beckoned him back to his side, and Raistlin turned to Sturm with a sigh, seeing the look on his face. "Remember what I said. I will not watch another nephew die. You are safer here. I will return for you."

"Be safe, Uncle Raistlin," said Sturm, then he smiled. "At least I get to say I spent a night at my Uncle's for a visit..."

Raistlin smiled, a rare and true smile that actually reached his eyes, creasing the first signs of age on his face around his eyes and mouth, "Yes, indeed. Perhaps if we weren't so harried, we could all stay here one day and relax."

With that Raistlin and Tanin were enveloped by his magic and disappeared from sight. Once the magic had faded in the room and the room was plunged into the gloom, Dalamar sighed, "If it is not to forward, I would like to know why he left you here?"

Sturm shrugged, "I would explain, but I hardly understand. It would be better if you ask him... um... I don't mean to be forward myself, but I'm feeling a bit hungry. He kind of rushed us off without a meal..."

Dalamar could only sigh as he led the nephew of Raistlin down to Raistlin's chambers. Opening the double doors into the study, he led him through the study to the single iron clad wooden door. "This is my Shalafi's study. You may spend your time here if you wish, just do not touch any of his magic books. With your outlook on life, they would likely leave some nasty burns on your hands. The other books you may read, they are simply history and other reference books. If you are cold, you may also light a fire in the fireplace," Dalamar sighed. "It is still early in the season, so it can be cold at night."

Sturm was busy looking around the spacious study area. The room was almost twice the size as the common area in the Inn of the Last Home, and was richly decorated with black velvet drapes and opulently plush decor. A thick tapestry carpet was under his feet and ran most of the length and width of the room, stopped only five feet before the massive stone fireplace. A desk that could have accommodated Sturm laying on it lengthwise dominated the room but was by far not taking up any amount of space in the room. "Does my Uncle own this?"

Dalamar blinked his eyes, "Yes, yes he does. Whatever he needs, he buys. If he cannot buy it, he summons it. But typically he buys it. The wealth of the Tower was his the minute he walked past the Shoikan Grove."

Pushing open the other door, Dalamar gestured, "This is your Uncle's personal chambers. During your stay, you may rest there. Shirak."

The magical torches within the room glowed and Sturm walked in. His Uncle's bedroom was the same size as his study, maybe a bit smaller, but the difference was unnoticeable. Sturm could only look around in wonder at the opulence here. The bed could have slept easily five men of his father's size, and then possible another at the foot of the bed, such was the size of the bed. The four posts was taller than Sturm by another half a height, and the canopy of the bed was dark blue and black silk and velvet with white linen netting. The covers on the bed were of thick velvet as well with at least two or three blankets. Two chairs sat by the fireplace, and their upholstery was also the same rich fabrics, in the same midnight blue, as the rest of the room.

Sturm sat down in one of the chairs and looked around at the tapestries that decorated the walls, drinking in how very, very rich his Uncle had to be to afford all of this. "What is he, a Lord of Palanthas?" he asked in disbelief.

Dalamar shrugged, "I suppose you could call him that. He has enough influence given the placing of the Tower within the Inner City. Now, if you will excuse me, I have students of my own to attend to. An apprentice will bring you your meal."

Sturm nodded, then leaned back in his chair. "In-bloody-credible," he murmured under his breath. "What next?"

Raistlin and Tanin rematerialized in the shared quarters. Raistlin sat down heavily on his bed and leaned back on the wall. Tanin noted the drawn look to his face and imagined that not one, but two spells of Teleportation must have been quite draining, even given the skill level of his Uncle. "Are you all right? You look... tired."

"I will be," he whispered. "I just need a moment to rest."

Tanin went back up on deck, dressed in the armor and the lighter clothing that had been suppled by his Uncle. Dougan lifted an eyebrow. "Yer back."

"Yes, Uncle Raistlin felt that it would wiser for us to be properly prepared," answered Tanin.

"Where's yer brother?" asked Dougan. "I know there was three, now I can tell there is only two."

"He's in Palanthas," answered Tanin. "Our Uncle also felt that just the two of us would be enough. Combined with the fact that he only had one suit of armor to give us. He goes without."

Dougan frowned and ran a hand through his beard, "Just like that? Took off to Palanthas and came back? So... perhaps there is something to Luni's claim that he had returned to his duty..."

Tanin barely heard what the dwarf said, but picked up half of it. He chose to ignore it for now, but, as usual with information concerning his Uncle, filed it away for future use. He had learned so much about his Uncle that perhaps even his father did not know. He caught Dougan's gaze and followed it to see his Uncle come up on deck. The gnomes were visibly nervous around him, but given his reputation around gnomes this was hardly surprising.

"We're ready, Redhammer," said Raistlin simply.

Dougan nodded, "Very well, we'll land..."

Raistlin climbed out of the small dinghy and dropped onto the sand. Tanin similarly climbed out and came to stand beside him. Raistlin's eyes seemed to be far off into the distance, as if searching something out. Dougan came up to them and asked, "Well, Guardian? What do you sense?"

"The Chaotic properties of the Greygem," answered Raistlin. "This island... is contaminated with it. How long has it been here, Reorx?"

Dougan thought for a moment. Tanin allowed his eyes to widen. Well, that wasn't something you heard everyday. One God and an Uncle who was supposed to be long dead, but could not be allowed to die. Interesting group. Somehow Tanin did not find this reassuring at all if Reorx had called in Raistlin to do something he evidently could not. He followed his Uncle and Reorx, in the form of Dougan Redhammer, into the jungle.

In retrospect, he could see why Raistlin had decided not to take Sturm. He could see why Raistlin had also said that metal armor would have cooked them. Even though the leather was a lighter armor, and it breathed, it was still very, very hot. The jungle was hot, humid, and Tanin was already sweating heavily. Looking ahead, he could see that his Uncle's dark hair was slicked back and soaking wet with his own sweat. Dougan didn't look much more comfortable than they did either.

Finally, when they came to a small clearing, Raistlin looked up and tried to see through the tops of the trees. "I can't tell where the sun is, but I can sense that we're going in the right direction. We'll rest here."

Tanin picked his foot up out of the wet ground. "Uncle, I don't mean to question you, but where?"

Raistlin pointed up. "We'll have to suspend ourselves in the trees. We still need to have a watch, even if it's against snakes and the such."

"I'll not climb a tree!" exclaimed Dougan.

"Either climb or sleep on the ground, matters little to me, dwarf," retorted Raistlin hotly, as he then began to climb himself until he reached a secure enough branch to sit on.

Tanin, in the same tree, climbed to an adjacent branch. After much muttering, Dougan climbed to one just below them. Raistlin appeared to be memorizing spells, and Tanin said, "I can take first watch...."

"...No, it's all right, nephew," said Raistlin. "When I finished studying my magic, I will wake you and you can take second watch."

"Okay, fine," said Tanin, as he balanced himself and fell into a light sleep.

Dougan was already snoring, and with a sigh, Raistlin went back to his studying.

Sturm leaned in the window and watched as the sun went down over Palanthas. He had stripped out of his armor and was wearing the simple tunic and breeches he wore around Solace when not journeying. He had stored his armor in a closet not too far away from the bed. He snorted. Not like anything would be a threat to him when his Uncle had told the guardians that he was his guest. If anything did attack, Sturm had enough time to don his armor and make himself ready for battle.

But it was nice to relax. A knock on the door to the study broke him out of his thoughts and he went and opened it. A young woman, a red robe, walked in and set a tray down. "I was told you bring you your dinner, sir," she said.

"Thank you... ah... I didn't catch your name..." he said.

"Meilena," she answered, with a small inclination of her head. "From Valkinord."

"Sturm Majere of Solace," answered Sturm, and her eyes widened a bit at that.

"As in Raistlin's nephew?"

"Yes," answered Sturm. "I'm here for a few days as a guest."

"Oh..." she said, mildly surprised. "It was... nice to meet you."

With that she left. Sturm sighed a bit and looked outside at the night sky.

Meilena entered the shared room with her roommate, Yeris. "So, you got the servant girl duty to that Knight that Dalamar is keeping locked up... albeit in the best quarters in the whole Tower," she sneered.

Yeris was a black robe, and a rather nasty one at that. Meilena swore that if the Test picked them on attitude, then Yeris had top honors. Meilena shrugged indifferently, "Somehow I don't think Dalamar could keep him, if he wanted to leave. At least, not considering who he really is."

Yeris rolled her eyes, "Raistlin in armor?"

"Close. His nephew, Sturm Majere," Meilena had the satisfaction of seeing Yeris' jaw drop.

"His nephew?" Yeris fell back on her bed, then leaned forward again. "Did you talk to him? Is he... handsome...?"

Meilena smiled wickedly, "Oh yes, very. And yes I did talk to him. He was polite, quiet, and very noble. Very much a Knight."

Yeris let her head sink into her pillow, "What did you do to get that assignment?"

Meilena shrugged, "I don't know. Perhaps I actually studied what I was told to study and didn't pick on any other students. I guess it could have been that..."

She ignored Yeris' glare as she turned to her spell book and began to study.

Tanin woke to Raistlin gentle calling. Remembering that he was in a tree branch, Tanin carefully looked up at his Uncle. It was still dark, lit only by the Staff of Magius. Raistlin looked sleepy, and he said, "Your watch."

Tanin sat up and leaned against the trunk as his Uncle carefully balanced himself in the branch and lay down. Moments later he was asleep. The Staff, somehow, not only remained lit, but also remained in the same still position as it had been when Raistlin had been holding it. It was as if the Staff decided to stay lit as a light for Tanin. The rest of the night, and Tanin's watch came and went. Finally Tanin woke Dougan for his watch, and settled back down into sleep.

Dougan woke both of them when light began to filter down through the trees. Raistlin blinked his eyes, carefully sat up and climbed down out of the tree. Tanin and Dougan joined him on the ground. Raistlin knelt, one hand in one the ground, the Staff of Magius resting on the other shoulder. He closed his eyes for a moment.

He tried to filter through the most of the chaotic and treacherous swirls of energy, then picked up on the worst of it. Once he had the direction firmly in his mind again, he set off in the same direction that they had been going. Tanin used his sword to hack through the worst of the undergrowth, and Dougan used a large knife, his warhammer not of any use.

Finally, they came to drier footing, then the trees thinned and then they stood in a clearing. In the clearing was a small village, and in the distance they could see a moss and vine ridden Tower. Raistlin murmured, "Another day journey. But it is there."

Men with wickedly pointed spears then confronted them, and one asked in a near unintelligible speech. Tanin gathered by the tone that it was, "What are you doing here?"

Or, alternatively, "Turn back or die."

Either way, Tanin moved closer to his Uncle. His Uncle, his eyes closed again, answered him in the same language. In surprise, to both Tanin and Dougan, a short conversation later, and the leader said, "I speak your common tongue. It was taught by Lord Gargath when he came to the Isle years ago."

"That makes it easier," answered Raistlin. "Is that his Tower?"

"Yes, Guardian," answered the lead warrior. "However... he has guards."

Raistlin nodded, "That's to be expected."

They looked around as the leader of the village led them to a simple hut. Tanin frowned as he saw men, and children, but no women. He wondered at this, but said nothing as he was led into the hut. As they sat in a circle around the circumference of the hut, Raistlin asked, "I see men and children, but no women. What happened to them?"

"Lord Gargath sent for them as 'tribute' two years ago. We have not seen them since and worry for our wives and daughters. All girls are taken when they reach puberty," answered the tribal leader.

Raistlin sighed. "That will be dealt with. All we ask is for one day to rest and prepare, then we will see to the Tower of Gargath."

Caramon Majere read the missive from the Knights of Solamnia in Palanthas twice. Tika came over and asked, as she saw his pale face, "What is it?"

Caramon read the letter,

With respect, Caramon and Tika Majere.

During a stay over in Thonvil on the Northern Isle of Ergoth, your three sons, Tanin, Sturm and Palin, went missing. They were last seen in a tavern named 'Red Wizard's Folly'. Lady Crysania suspected that they were unwillingly taken from said tavern. Their locations are currently unknown.

We regret to inform you that unless otherwise proven, we will assume them missing in action.

Respectfully,

Grand Master Gunther Uth Wistan

Tika sat down heavily and put her head in her hands. "Missing?"

Caramon was in the same state of disbelief. To have all three simply disappear was, to say the least, mind numbing. He pressed his lips into a pale and thin line. "I'll contact Tanis. We'll find them. It said missing, not dead. Surely not dead," he whispered the last part in horror. "They would know..."

The next morning, the three set out for Gargath Isle with a small escort of a band of warriors from the village. The jungle was not as dense, and a path was even beaten and cut to it. Instead of taking the day that Raistlin thought it would, it took two hours. The men, of course, refused to go any further than the clearing around the Tower.

Raistlin walked up to the simple door and pushed on it. He nearly recoiled from the feel of chaos from it. The door swung open and the three, Tanin, Dougan, and Raistlin, walked in. Raistlin crinkled his nose at the musty smell within. "No one has been through here in ages," said Raistlin.

It took an hour to check the first level of the Tower before climbing the stairs to the next. As soon as they pushed on the door to enter, Raistlin was confronted by a spear wielding woman as she held the metal point to his throat. He hissed at Dougan as another woman pulled him inside, "I thought you said they only had primitive weaponry!"

Dougan and Tanin were pulled in short moment later. Tanin had to stare in bemusement at his Uncle, even given the serious threat of death. The other woman had pulled him down to her couch and was running her fingers through his hair while a few others held him a spear point to make sure he didn't do anything threatening. The eldest of them all said, "Two handsome men, one looks like he's intelligent, and the other isn't bad either. But what to do with the dwarf?"

Tanin had as many spears held to him as his Uncle and Dougan. Raistlin pulled himself away, and demanded, "Are you the women from the village just East of here?"

"Yes, but we're not going back to a life of drudgery," retorted the eldest. "For generations we did all the washing, the cooking, and the raising of children. Let the men do that now. We have better things to do."

"Where is Lord Gargath?" asked Tanin in confusion.

A dismissive wave of her hand was the answer, "Up at the top of the tower with his precious gem. Haven't seen him in a few years."

The three looked at each other. "So, let me get this straight," began Raistlin thoughtfully. "Lord Gargath decreed that all women be sent to the Tower two years ago. But, you haven't seen him in about the same amount of time... but the decree is still in place... so... who's in charge of the Tower?"

"Oh, we are. We sent him up there. Boring old man..." she said, with a pout. "You, though, seem much more interesting."

"Well, yes, I can imagine why," answered Raistlin dryly. "I need to go to the top of the Tower, ladies."

They backed back out the room and Raistlin looked at Dougan, "'Just a simple mission'?"

Dougan shrugged.

Sturm was wakened by a sound in his room, and he grasped his sword, opening his eyes and bringing it level with the neck of a black robe sitting on the edge of the bed. Her eyes were widened in surprise at the suddenness. "Sorry," he said. "You surprised me."

"I surprised you?" she asked a bit archly, then softened a bit. "I can see my room mate was right, you are handsome."

"Thanks, I think," he said as he re-sheathed his bastard sword. "Why are you in here, anyway?"

"I came to see if the nephew of Raistlin was as rumored to be. Although I can't honestly say I have ever met a Majere before to say if there is a resemblance, I can hear the slight Abanasinian accent," she said. "Forgive me, my name is Yeris, I'm from Haven. And rumor has it that you're from Solace."

His eyes widened at the mention of meeting someone from close to home. "Yes, I am. We own the Inn of the Last Home. My name is Sturm."

Her eyes brightened. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sturm," she said as she held out her hand to shake his.

He took it and they shook hands. "I'm sorry I startled you."

"It's all right, I should have expected some measure of curiosity. I'm guessing you don't get many guests from my order," he said. "I would guess I would cause some talk."

"Oh, you have," she laughed.

They fell into a companionable silence, then she said. "I would have thought I would been able to sneak in here, see you, then sneak out. But you woke so quickly."

Sturm blushed, "I... I haven't been sleeping very well."

She lifted a brow, "Oh?"

"Well, at home, we don't have this much space," he admitted. "And I used to share a room with my brothers."

"Perhaps I can help?" she suggested smoothly, then put her hands up in a negating gesture at his wide eyes. "No, I wouldn't use my magic. I was suggesting a more... mutual... arrangement."

She closed the gap between them to kiss him lightly on the lips. Sturm didn't respond and she pulled back, with a half smile on her face, "What is wrong? Can't have relations with a Black Robe?"

"No, my lady!" he cried out. "I would bed you in a second, however my vows would be violated if I did... I must wait until I marry."

She smiled, "But you would bed me?"

"Oh, aye, you're a attractive, pretty, lovely woman with beautiful eyes," he looked down. "But I can't."

She patted his hand right before she stood to leave, "I understand. And I can respect that. I bid you good night."

Sturm watched her leave and leaned back in the pillows again. "Sweet Paladine..."

A/N: Yes, Yeris is a bitch. That will be shown in later chapters.