Chapter 15:
She jerked her robes on, fastening them quickly as the draconian realized his disguise was gone. He charged at Alira, snapping his jaws menacingly in a grimace. She screamed again, running for the door and flinging it open into the beast's face. The draconian made a strange grunting sound, and then followed her. Her screams aroused the people in neighboring rooms and disturbed everyone eating in the common room.
Mass pandemonium ensued.
People began to fight and scrabble to get out of the inn. Everyone was scrabbling, yelling, and punching wildly at anything. The draconian hollered what must have been words, but no one was listening. He tore through them, trying to get to Alira. Alira had made it out the door, with her flying head start.
She barely made it down the stairs, after stumbling and tripping and skipping every other step or two on her way down. It was a miracle she made it down without breaking her neck. The draconian had trouble with the stairs. He jumped and landed awkwardly on the ground, his strange little wings making his fall less damaging than it should have been.
Alira ran. She didn't think at all, she just kept moving until she was surrounded by nothing but forest. Finally, panting heavily, she realized she was alone. She couldn't hear the strange creature anymore. She fainted.
When Alira finally awoke, she was more than relieved to see that there was no sign of draconian anywhere near her. She sighed, thoroughly confused, and dragged herself over to a tree. Leaning, she tried to think. But nothing could calm her roaring instincts that begged her to find the nearest cleric for safety. She needed a cleric, she sensed it.or at least to make it to another mage. She muttered a short prayer to Lunitari.
Alira heard a strange snuffling noise, after spending a few mind- numbing moments re-living the horrors of the day. She snapped her head up, realizing she had been looking at her bare fee the whole time. A small fox, brilliant red with the most amazing green eyes, looked at her. It was odd, to see a fox so bold as to come within six feet of a human. The little figure watched her, almost intelligently, with its emerald eyes. Such amazing eyes! Alira was transfixed by the bright green color. It went wonderfully with the gorgeous, thick red pelt.
Then she noticed the strangest thing. The little beast wore earrings! Wide, golden hoops were dangling from the ears of the fox, the gold glimmering temptingly.
"Oh, you poor, dear thing!" she crooned, reaching out carefully, inviting the little fox nearer.
He scampered closer, his eyes glittering, and sniffed at her fingers. Licking them, he made a strange sound not unlike purring. Alira chuckled as he nipped them, surprised that he got so close.
"Where did you come from?" she wondered, asking the question aloud. As though understanding, the fox calmly padded up and curled up in her lap, snuggling against her. She laughed again, and started to stroke him, careful not to disturb the loops at his ears.
As though a sudden wash of good luck followed the fox, a group of Elves happened upon the two. Alira stood up, holding the furry beast in her arms as she greeted the Elves. Clearly, they had an obvious distaste for her state, but gave her time to explain herself. It didn't take long to spill the whole story, and she was more than happy to mention that she was part-elf, even if that part was Silvanesti, and not Qualinesti like these Elves. Still, they seemed more than happy to supply her with a change of clothes (though this didn't include fresh robes) and a bit to drink.
"Where are you headed?" she asked the leader, a young Elf by the name of Irlin, short for something Alira couldn't catch. Elven though she was, she still had a bit of trouble with the long names, even her own.
"Solace." He replied. "But after all I told you about the creature! You're still going?" she spluttered, still cradling the fox in her arms. "I sincerely doubt that this creature is a match for Qualinesti archers. Do not be worried. If you wish, I can send an escort with you to Par-Salian." he said, kindly, but firmly. "Yes! Please! I need to get to Par-Salian at once!" she started, realizing the wisdom in such a decision. After all, who but the gods could clear up this matter better than Par-Salian? "I will send ten men, half our group, with you, then, Aliralintharincalion." He said, her voice smooth in his slightly accented speech. It was odd, to hear her name pronounced correctly and so naturally, but very interesting. She thanked him profusely, and before long found herself surrounded by ten Elves, all well dressed and armed to the teeth, on her way to see Par-Salian.
The journey had been rather tedious; the Elves not very good at conversation. They were quiet types, and Alira practically itched for a good conversation. She loved to talk, but it was extremely difficult to start anything with them. They either nodded their heads or answered with a polite yes or no. She took to speaking to the fox, trying to find a name for him. It didn't take long. The little creature turned out to be quite a handful. He got into almost as much mischief as a kender, constantly getting into places he shouldn't, and sometimes growling or scratching at the Elves while they slept. He turned out to be just the cutest thing, though, with his little adventures. Alira took to calling him, simply, Mischief. He was so precious, Alira found herself in love with him at once. At night, he curled near hear, the fluffy, soft fur of his body warm against her. She loved the way his tail curled about his face, hiding his little black nose from view, but allowing his emerald eyes to peek over. But eventually they finally arrived to the tower. They didn't have much trouble getting there, though the Elves had to leave shortly after they got near. Alira didn't miss their company much. At all. When she got there, she attracted quite a few looks from the older mages. Apparently, most of the tower knew that she was traveling with Raistlin. They were amazed to see her back so soon, and alone save for a curious little fox that seemed much smarter than ordinary animals. It seemed as though Par-Salian was expecting her. He sat in a comfortable chair, his white robes just a teeny bit frayed at the hems from normal wear, with a glass of fine red Elven wine in his hand. There was another full glass on the table near, and a chair ready for a guest. "You've been expecting me." She said coldly, still clutching Mischief, who was now her only companion, in her arms. He glared at the white-robed mage. Emotion overwhelmed her now. All of the questions and rage and sorrow and everything just poured from her like a dam under too much pressure. She screamed, hollered, and cried, emptying herself until she was a void. Alira didn't realize it until she was done, that she had sunken to the floor, still holding on to a startled Mischief as though her life depended on him. Embarrassment wasn't even an option, she just felt so.so.inexplicable. Par- Salian watched the fireworks from his chair, calmly; ready to speak when she was done. "I'm very sorry. I heard all about what happened. It took quite a while, but I finally managed to find out what went wrong." He said. She looked up hopefully, the tears like glitter on her face. Mischief had a small spot on his back that was soaked with her fallen tears, but he didn't seem miffed. Alira didn't care how he knew. But she did want to know exactly what had happened to Raistlin.
Paladine was angry. He rarely got angry, but this time, he was angry. Mishakal soothed her consort as best she could, though she shared his anger. It didn't take them long at all to figure out what was wrong. Takhisis, of course, found out about their meddling and interceded as quickly as possible, playing her own hand beside theirs. How she did it, they had no idea, for knowing the how would be rather like knowing her mind, and none knew her mind. Alira had not been traveling with Raistlin, but rather a draconian in disguise. An amazingly good disguise, but still a disguise. Takhisis had reached in at the last moment, and messed around with Caramon and Raistlin, holding them in whatever situation they were in so she could replace them with her minions. However, Alira's devotion was to her goddess, Lunitari. Dear Lunitari did not like that the other gods were messing around with one of her devotees, and decided to throw her own lot in. The result? Mischief. Takhisis's next plans? Paladine had no clue. But it was a definite thing what he had to do. He had to get the real Raistlin together with Alira, and do his best to get them.TOGETHER, together with help from Mishakal. And while they worked at their goal, they'd have to keep an eye on the Dark Seductress herself, which would prove to be quite a difficulty. And unknown to them, Lunitari would be acting in Alira's best interests, adding what she could to the equation in a desperate attempt to take care of her newly-emotionally-unstable worshipper. And so the gods began yet another quarrel.
When Alira heard Par-Salian's explanation of the events, she nearly fainted.something she had been doing often as of late. She was stunned. Mischief did his best to comfort her with his soft chirruping noises and his scratchy-soft tongue. She blinked several times, taking it all in. "You mean.I've never met Raistlin?" "Exactly." Par-Salian said, taking a sip from his glass. "Well.am I still supposed to take him somewhere?" "Of course! Though you'll have to take Caramon, too. He just wouldn't leave Raistlin.as usual. That should have been my first clue, but I chose to ignore it." he replied. "When will I be meeting him?" Alira asked, a strange sense of excitement and anticipation welling up. She heard a horrible rasping cough behind her. It sounded as though someone was hacking up a lung, and it gurgled terribly with what could only be blood. Alira whipped her head around, and saw a mage in soft red robes, with thick white hair tumbling about his shoulders and glistening gold skin gleaming from the depths of his hood. The most amazing golden eyes shone, with black pupils in the shape of hourglasses raking over her. He leaned heavily on a staff similar to the one she had seen draconian-Raistlin hanging onto.only this Raistlin seemed to know the staff better, somehow. The staff was much more beautiful and antique looking. Alira could feel the magic emanating from it. The power of it was amazing. She drew in a quick breath, standing, still holding onto Mischief. "I'd.say.you could.consider this our.meeting." He hacked. A huge warrior, huge of girth the way a big-boned man, not a fat one, is. He was handsome, in a genial, rather thickheaded way, and dressed in armor with a huge sword hanging from his waist. "Raist?" he whimpered, reaching to aid the mage. "Leave me be, Caramon, you fool!" he rasped, his coughing finally abating. "Aliralintharincalion," Par-Salian said, actually managing a correct pronunciation, "meet Raistlin Majere and his brother, Caramon."
She jerked her robes on, fastening them quickly as the draconian realized his disguise was gone. He charged at Alira, snapping his jaws menacingly in a grimace. She screamed again, running for the door and flinging it open into the beast's face. The draconian made a strange grunting sound, and then followed her. Her screams aroused the people in neighboring rooms and disturbed everyone eating in the common room.
Mass pandemonium ensued.
People began to fight and scrabble to get out of the inn. Everyone was scrabbling, yelling, and punching wildly at anything. The draconian hollered what must have been words, but no one was listening. He tore through them, trying to get to Alira. Alira had made it out the door, with her flying head start.
She barely made it down the stairs, after stumbling and tripping and skipping every other step or two on her way down. It was a miracle she made it down without breaking her neck. The draconian had trouble with the stairs. He jumped and landed awkwardly on the ground, his strange little wings making his fall less damaging than it should have been.
Alira ran. She didn't think at all, she just kept moving until she was surrounded by nothing but forest. Finally, panting heavily, she realized she was alone. She couldn't hear the strange creature anymore. She fainted.
When Alira finally awoke, she was more than relieved to see that there was no sign of draconian anywhere near her. She sighed, thoroughly confused, and dragged herself over to a tree. Leaning, she tried to think. But nothing could calm her roaring instincts that begged her to find the nearest cleric for safety. She needed a cleric, she sensed it.or at least to make it to another mage. She muttered a short prayer to Lunitari.
Alira heard a strange snuffling noise, after spending a few mind- numbing moments re-living the horrors of the day. She snapped her head up, realizing she had been looking at her bare fee the whole time. A small fox, brilliant red with the most amazing green eyes, looked at her. It was odd, to see a fox so bold as to come within six feet of a human. The little figure watched her, almost intelligently, with its emerald eyes. Such amazing eyes! Alira was transfixed by the bright green color. It went wonderfully with the gorgeous, thick red pelt.
Then she noticed the strangest thing. The little beast wore earrings! Wide, golden hoops were dangling from the ears of the fox, the gold glimmering temptingly.
"Oh, you poor, dear thing!" she crooned, reaching out carefully, inviting the little fox nearer.
He scampered closer, his eyes glittering, and sniffed at her fingers. Licking them, he made a strange sound not unlike purring. Alira chuckled as he nipped them, surprised that he got so close.
"Where did you come from?" she wondered, asking the question aloud. As though understanding, the fox calmly padded up and curled up in her lap, snuggling against her. She laughed again, and started to stroke him, careful not to disturb the loops at his ears.
As though a sudden wash of good luck followed the fox, a group of Elves happened upon the two. Alira stood up, holding the furry beast in her arms as she greeted the Elves. Clearly, they had an obvious distaste for her state, but gave her time to explain herself. It didn't take long to spill the whole story, and she was more than happy to mention that she was part-elf, even if that part was Silvanesti, and not Qualinesti like these Elves. Still, they seemed more than happy to supply her with a change of clothes (though this didn't include fresh robes) and a bit to drink.
"Where are you headed?" she asked the leader, a young Elf by the name of Irlin, short for something Alira couldn't catch. Elven though she was, she still had a bit of trouble with the long names, even her own.
"Solace." He replied. "But after all I told you about the creature! You're still going?" she spluttered, still cradling the fox in her arms. "I sincerely doubt that this creature is a match for Qualinesti archers. Do not be worried. If you wish, I can send an escort with you to Par-Salian." he said, kindly, but firmly. "Yes! Please! I need to get to Par-Salian at once!" she started, realizing the wisdom in such a decision. After all, who but the gods could clear up this matter better than Par-Salian? "I will send ten men, half our group, with you, then, Aliralintharincalion." He said, her voice smooth in his slightly accented speech. It was odd, to hear her name pronounced correctly and so naturally, but very interesting. She thanked him profusely, and before long found herself surrounded by ten Elves, all well dressed and armed to the teeth, on her way to see Par-Salian.
The journey had been rather tedious; the Elves not very good at conversation. They were quiet types, and Alira practically itched for a good conversation. She loved to talk, but it was extremely difficult to start anything with them. They either nodded their heads or answered with a polite yes or no. She took to speaking to the fox, trying to find a name for him. It didn't take long. The little creature turned out to be quite a handful. He got into almost as much mischief as a kender, constantly getting into places he shouldn't, and sometimes growling or scratching at the Elves while they slept. He turned out to be just the cutest thing, though, with his little adventures. Alira took to calling him, simply, Mischief. He was so precious, Alira found herself in love with him at once. At night, he curled near hear, the fluffy, soft fur of his body warm against her. She loved the way his tail curled about his face, hiding his little black nose from view, but allowing his emerald eyes to peek over. But eventually they finally arrived to the tower. They didn't have much trouble getting there, though the Elves had to leave shortly after they got near. Alira didn't miss their company much. At all. When she got there, she attracted quite a few looks from the older mages. Apparently, most of the tower knew that she was traveling with Raistlin. They were amazed to see her back so soon, and alone save for a curious little fox that seemed much smarter than ordinary animals. It seemed as though Par-Salian was expecting her. He sat in a comfortable chair, his white robes just a teeny bit frayed at the hems from normal wear, with a glass of fine red Elven wine in his hand. There was another full glass on the table near, and a chair ready for a guest. "You've been expecting me." She said coldly, still clutching Mischief, who was now her only companion, in her arms. He glared at the white-robed mage. Emotion overwhelmed her now. All of the questions and rage and sorrow and everything just poured from her like a dam under too much pressure. She screamed, hollered, and cried, emptying herself until she was a void. Alira didn't realize it until she was done, that she had sunken to the floor, still holding on to a startled Mischief as though her life depended on him. Embarrassment wasn't even an option, she just felt so.so.inexplicable. Par- Salian watched the fireworks from his chair, calmly; ready to speak when she was done. "I'm very sorry. I heard all about what happened. It took quite a while, but I finally managed to find out what went wrong." He said. She looked up hopefully, the tears like glitter on her face. Mischief had a small spot on his back that was soaked with her fallen tears, but he didn't seem miffed. Alira didn't care how he knew. But she did want to know exactly what had happened to Raistlin.
Paladine was angry. He rarely got angry, but this time, he was angry. Mishakal soothed her consort as best she could, though she shared his anger. It didn't take them long at all to figure out what was wrong. Takhisis, of course, found out about their meddling and interceded as quickly as possible, playing her own hand beside theirs. How she did it, they had no idea, for knowing the how would be rather like knowing her mind, and none knew her mind. Alira had not been traveling with Raistlin, but rather a draconian in disguise. An amazingly good disguise, but still a disguise. Takhisis had reached in at the last moment, and messed around with Caramon and Raistlin, holding them in whatever situation they were in so she could replace them with her minions. However, Alira's devotion was to her goddess, Lunitari. Dear Lunitari did not like that the other gods were messing around with one of her devotees, and decided to throw her own lot in. The result? Mischief. Takhisis's next plans? Paladine had no clue. But it was a definite thing what he had to do. He had to get the real Raistlin together with Alira, and do his best to get them.TOGETHER, together with help from Mishakal. And while they worked at their goal, they'd have to keep an eye on the Dark Seductress herself, which would prove to be quite a difficulty. And unknown to them, Lunitari would be acting in Alira's best interests, adding what she could to the equation in a desperate attempt to take care of her newly-emotionally-unstable worshipper. And so the gods began yet another quarrel.
When Alira heard Par-Salian's explanation of the events, she nearly fainted.something she had been doing often as of late. She was stunned. Mischief did his best to comfort her with his soft chirruping noises and his scratchy-soft tongue. She blinked several times, taking it all in. "You mean.I've never met Raistlin?" "Exactly." Par-Salian said, taking a sip from his glass. "Well.am I still supposed to take him somewhere?" "Of course! Though you'll have to take Caramon, too. He just wouldn't leave Raistlin.as usual. That should have been my first clue, but I chose to ignore it." he replied. "When will I be meeting him?" Alira asked, a strange sense of excitement and anticipation welling up. She heard a horrible rasping cough behind her. It sounded as though someone was hacking up a lung, and it gurgled terribly with what could only be blood. Alira whipped her head around, and saw a mage in soft red robes, with thick white hair tumbling about his shoulders and glistening gold skin gleaming from the depths of his hood. The most amazing golden eyes shone, with black pupils in the shape of hourglasses raking over her. He leaned heavily on a staff similar to the one she had seen draconian-Raistlin hanging onto.only this Raistlin seemed to know the staff better, somehow. The staff was much more beautiful and antique looking. Alira could feel the magic emanating from it. The power of it was amazing. She drew in a quick breath, standing, still holding onto Mischief. "I'd.say.you could.consider this our.meeting." He hacked. A huge warrior, huge of girth the way a big-boned man, not a fat one, is. He was handsome, in a genial, rather thickheaded way, and dressed in armor with a huge sword hanging from his waist. "Raist?" he whimpered, reaching to aid the mage. "Leave me be, Caramon, you fool!" he rasped, his coughing finally abating. "Aliralintharincalion," Par-Salian said, actually managing a correct pronunciation, "meet Raistlin Majere and his brother, Caramon."