Caramon looked up from his place at a table in the Inn of the Last Home in Solace when a knock sounded softly but urgently on the door. Tika glanced at her husband from behind the bar, but didn't say anything. Caramon sighed and walked over to the door, opening it a crack and peering out into the night.
"Yes?" he asked when his gaze fell upon a cloaked figure standing on the doorstep. "Can we help you?"
"I need to speak with Caramon Majere about his brother," the figure said shortly. "It's urgent."
Caramon nodded and opened the door enough for the figure to enter. He closed the door and turned to meet his guest. The figure pulled of her cloak to reveal an elf wearing black, velvet robes. "Who are you?" Caramon asked. "And what do you know about Raistlin?"
"My name is Inanna," the elf said. "And I was your brother's companion after he deserted you in the Blood Sea of Istar."
Caramon froze and Tika dropped a freshly cleaned mug on the floor with a loud clatter. "How…?" Caramon asked weakly. "I mean-"
"I know what you mean, Caramon," Inanna said shortly, cutting him off. "He was alone, I needed a companion…" She trailed off, a half smile forming on her face. "Fate brought us together, just as it tore us apart."
She turned on her heel and began pacing back and forth. "Raistlin and I were brought together by the bonds of magic and the cruelty of Fate. Nothing could have kept us from meeting. I found him wandering the roads by himself. He was weak, sick. I took pity on him and cared for him. When he regained his strength, he and I made a deal. Oh, how I regret I ever agreed to it!"
The elf stopped and turned to Caramon and Tika. "Do you know what he made me promise?" she asked softly, a dangerous calm in her voice.
"I'm sure I have a pretty good idea, knowing my brother," Caramon said dryly, clasping Tika's hand in his own huge one.
"Indeed," Inanna replied, resuming her nervous pacing. "Well, I shall tell you. Raistlin and I made a deal that I could travel with him and obey him in exchange for something I carried with me. He wanted my necklace; I wanted a companion…a friend. I should have known I could not find it with him."
"What's so important about your necklace?" Tika asked suddenly, interrupting her.
Inanna turned her cold eyes to the red head and smiled grimly. "My necklace is very powerful. The elves never managed to take it away from me when I was exiled from my land. It could control everything if the wielder so desired. But I did not think Raistlin would want it to control the forces of magic until now. I know what he plans to do." She sighed and gazed down at the floor, unable to look Caramon in the eyes.
"Please," Caramon urged gently. "What does he want with it?"
"He plans to defeat the Dark Queen and take his place among the gods. Eventually, he plans to defeat the other gods as well and reign supreme over everything."
The room was deathly silent. No one said a word. Tika and Caramon looked at each other, sending a silent message between the two of them. Inanna looked up at them. Caramon spoke. "You must get the necklace back from him."
"I never gave it to him. That's why our deal was off. I traveled with Raistlin, all the time telling him I would give him the necklace soon. Finally, he grew impatient and demanded it of me. I told him no, and he deserted me. He left me with nothing. The only thing I didn't plan on was falling in love with him. I didn't think I would be upset when he left. But soon, my grief turned to anger and eventually hatred. And yet, I still love him, despite my hatred for him. I would never be able to harm him, and deep down, I think he knows that."
"Then why have you come here?" Tika demanded. "We cannot do anything against him. He has grown much too powerful!"
"I know. I simply came to ask for your help. I want you to hide the necklace someplace where he won't be able to find it or will refuse to search for it. I have some unfinished business to attend to, and I don't want him to get a hold of the necklace in his rise to gaining godhood."
"We shall do what we can, my lady," Caramon said respectfully, bowing slightly to her. "I'm sorry you had to get caught in one of Raist's traps."
Inanna shook her head. "I saw it, and I walked into his web willingly. I got myself into this and now I must get myself out. I must stop him, and I am the only one who can. Here." She paused and pulled a long silver chain out from beneath her robes. A bright light flashed in the room, blinding Tika and Caramon. But the light receded quickly and they were able to see the necklace properly.
It was simple and unimpressive, save for the teardrop-shaped opal at the end. It shimmered in the dimly lit common room of the Inn and mesmerized the couple staring at it. A strange, cold light enveloped it, casting its unearthly glow around the room.
"Please," Inanna murmured. "Please."
She walked gracefully forward, her face smooth and suddenly innocent like a child's. Caramon held out his hadn for the necklace, and it seemed a strange power guided every movement of his, rather than him. Inanna placed the silver chain and teardrop opal in his palm and closed his fingers around it. Tika looked on, spellbound by the necklace's unique beauty. A tear slid down Inanna's cheek and dripped gently onto Caramon's closed fingers. The tear glistened harmlessly up at him as he watched it with a slight frown. Suddenly, the necklace in his hand grew white hot and the big warrior cried out in agony, dropping the necklace to the ground.
He cradled his hand and Tika snapped out of the enchantment holding her. She bent over her husband, trying to see his hand. Caramon looked up, intending to see the dark elf laughing at him, but Inanna had gone. The door to the Inn was slightly ajar and a soft breeze echoed outside.
'Please,' the breezed sighed as it blew past the door. Caramon collapsed on the floor, staring at the necklace, once again gleaming unobtrusively up at him. He felt Tika shiver next to him.
"she can't be trusted, Caramon," Tika whispered fearfully, looking toward the open door.
"She must be," Caramon replied, looking at his hand. "It's our only option."
'Please,' the wind sighed again.