"What the hell is it?" Tanis asked, staring down at the necklace. Caramon had called him in early that morning, after having stayed up all night, contemplating things.
"It's a necklace," Caramon replied dully.
"I know that," he said sharply. "I mean, does it have any magical powers or anything?"
The big warrior shrugged. "I don't know. Inanna just gave it to me and then it burned my hand when her tear fell on it. It was strange. It hurt me, and yet, it sent a message to me. It was telling me not to worry; that everything would be all right. It also sent me a warning; that burn was a warning. But I don't know what it was saying exactly. The pain was too intense, and yet…" He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Tanis sighed and put his face in his hands. "I do not know what to tell you, my friend," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "This whole ordeal is a mystery to me. How did Raistlin find her after all?"
"I think," Tika interrupted, coming over to them, a flagon of ale in each hand, "the question is, how did she find Raistlin?" She set the two mugs in front of her husband and friend and sat down next to them. The necklace with the teardrop opal glistened innocently in the morning sunlight. "How could he want something so small and insignificant?" she wondered aloud.
"You know Raist," said Caramon. "He's always after strange things. I mean, this is relatively normal for a wizard to go after. It looks just innocent enough to attract anybody, and yet, it must be very powerful. Even I can sense something a bit…off about it."
"I know what you mean, Caramon," Tanis added, nodding. "I can also feel something in the air. It's just faint enough to send shivers up my spine and raise the hairs on the back of my neck."
"I wish there was something we could do though," Caramon sighed heavily. "But I can't think of anything!"
Tanis rose from his seat and laid a hand on his warrior friend's shoulder. "By the sounds of it, this is a battle between the two dark mages. There's nothing we can do."
"I know, but I don't want Raist to trap her and dispose of her so easily as I know he's capable."
"Caramon, snap out of it," Tika reprimanded him sharply. "She told us last night she walked willingly into his trap. Now she must get herself out. We can't do anything but hope and keep this necklace out of Raistlin's hands." She rose also and went back to the kitchen to begin making preparations for the day's opening.
Caramon nodded and went to unlock the Inn's door, leaving the necklace on the table. Tanis glanced once more at it before taking his leave. Something was about to happen; he just wasn't sure what.