Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Raistlin Chronicle characters. But I do own those that aren't. So there! *Sticks tongue out*
Hmm. . . Here is a new chapter. *Smirks evilly*
Ohoo yeah: Just in case I didn't make my point clear about my story. I have revised the Raistlin Chronicles to fit my OC character. As if she was already in it before. But I changed quite a bit.
Thanks to:
Guan: Yes, I don't' mess around when it comes to updates. Though this one was a bit slower than the others. . Sorry schoolwork got in the way.
ChildlikeEmperess (): Well it's not mint leaves per se. It just smells like mint. You'll find out what it is later and why she always has it with her.
Now I shall not delay you any longer, read on my faithful booklovers.
Book 1: Appearances are Deceiving
" We come to this place,
Falling through this time,
Living a hollow life."
~RoguesHeart~
The soldier led both Crysallis and Raistlin into the courtyard, which was bustling with activity. Soldiers stood about in groups laughing or talking, or squatted on the ground, playing knucklebones, or pitching coins against the wall.
Grooms led horses into or out of stalls , dogs were everywhere underfoot. A servant had a hold of a yelping kender by the ear and was dragging him out of the main entrance. Some of the soldiers passed curious glances at him at Raistlin and Crysallis as they passed by, others just rude. Coarse comments accompanied them through the castle gate and into the court yard.
" Where are we going sir?" asked Raistlin.
" The Barracks." said his guide, indicating a row of lowstone buildings lined with windows.
The soldier entered the main door to the barracks, led them down a cool, dark hallway which were the rooms were the soldiers billeted. Raistlin was impressed by it's cleanliness of the building. The stone floor was still wet from it's morning scrub down.
At the end of the hallway they came to a set of stone stairs, spiraling downwards. The soldier descended the stairs. Raistlin followed eagerly behind, while Crysallis was still taking cautious glimpses around her. At the end of the stairs was a wooden door. Halting, the soldier gave a thunderous knock. There came a crash from the inside, as of glass breaking.
" You whore's son!!" yelled an irritated voice. " You've made me drop my potion. What in the Abyss do you want?!"
The soldier grinned, winked at Raistlin.
" I have the new mages, sir. You said to bring them right away."
" Well, who the devil thought you would be so blasted quick about it!" the voice grumbled.
" I can take them away, sir." said the soldier in respectful tones.
" Yes do that, wait no don't. They can clean up the mess considering they are the cause of it."
Crysallis scoffed to herself, her lip turning upwards into a disgusted sneer. As if she would become someone else's maid. That was not why she had joined this army.
There came the sound of footsteps, a door bolt lifting with a clank. The door swung open.
" Meet Master Horkin." spoke the soldier.
Expecting a war wizard, Raistlin expected height, power, intelligence. He expected to be awe-inspired or at the very least inspired. Lemuel's father was a war wizard, by the way he had described him to Raistlin he had expected some one with long black hair, slender fingers, hawk nose and eyes. That was what his dream of what a war wizard looked like.
At the sight of the mage standing in the doorway, glaring at him, Raistlin's dreamed cracked down the center, spilling it's contents in a floor of disappointment.
Crysallis choked on a snort of laughter when she had caught glimpse of the mage. The mage was short, he only came up to her shoulder, but what he lacked in height he made up in girth. He was relatively young, in his late forties, but there was not a hair on his head, not an eyebrow, not an eyelash. He was thick necked, thick shoulder, with ham fisted hands- small wonder he had dropped the delicate potions bottle. He was red faced, choleric, with fierce blue eyes whose blueness was emphasized by the redness of his face.
But it was not his odd looks that had caused for Raistlin's lips to curl into a sneer. The mage- and he was putting this term lightly- wore brown robes. Brown robes were the mark of those who had never taken the test at the Tower of High Sorcery. The mark of a mage who did not possess skill enough or lacked the ambition to pass or try, or was merely afraid. Whatever the reason, the man was not committed to magic. And for this reason, Raistlin couldn't bring himself to respect the man.
He was consequently startled and piqued to see his own disdain reflected right back at him. The brown robed mage was regarding Raistlin with no amiable air.
" Oh for Luni's sake, They have sent me blasted Tower Mages." he growled.
To his deep chagrin, Raistlin was seized with a coughing fit. Fortunately it was short lived and it did nothing to impress Horkin.
" And a sickly one at that." he said in disgust. " What are you good for Red?"
Raistlin opened his mouth, proud to name his accomplishments.
" I'll bet you can cast a sleep spell." Horkin said, answering his own question. " A fine lot good that'll do on the battlefield. Give the enemy a nice little nap. They wake up refreshed and ready to slit our throats. And what the devil are you gawking at?!"
The soldier jumped slightly. Horkin frowned darkly.
" I assume you have some work to do."
" Err. . . Uh. . Yes sir."
The soldier saluted and quickly departed.
Horkin grabbed upon the sleeves of both Raistlin and Crysallis, yanked them inside the laboratory with a jerk that had nearly taken them off their feet. He slammed the door shut behind them both. Raistlin took a disparaging glance around the room and felt his hopes shatter. The laboratory was dark and shadowy, made out of stone. A few battered spell books stood forlornly on a shelf. Various weapons hung on walls, bludgeons, maces, a battered looking sword, and some other wicked looking implements.
Horkin released the young mages, gazed at them speculatively, eyeing Crysallis as if she were a carcass in a butcher's stall. He obviously didn't think much of what he saw.
Crysallis stared back at him, her eyes growing cold beneath the insulting inspection. Horkin placed his meaty hands on his hips, or in the general vicinity. He was built like a wedge, his shoulders and chest the most massive part.
" I am Horkin, Master Horkin to you both."
" My name is. . . " spoke Raistlin stiffly.
Horkin raised his hand and cut him off.
" I don't care about your name Red. I don't want to know your name. If you survive your first three battles or so, then maybe I'll learn your names but it is a goddamned waste of time. As soon as begin to get to know a damn puke, they'd up and die on me. These days I don't bother. Clutters up my mind with useless information."
His blue eyes shifted away from Raistlin to settle upon Crysallis.
" And as for you, are you sure this is where you want to be?" he asked wryly.
Crysallis stared at him, her emerald eyes unyielding to his scrutinizing gaze.
" Whatever gave you the impression that it wasn't?. . . Sir?"
Horkin sneered.
" Women don't usually up and join the army, that's what."
Crysallis shrugged nonchalantly.
" As I told the sergeant, There is a first time for everything."
Horkin stared at her for a moment, determined to arise any pent up emotions dwelling in her. But she showed no signs of acknowledging him, she merely vacantly gazed at him, bored with it all.
Horkin gave up on her and turned his attention back to Raistlin. His eyes casting appreciative glances over his staff.
" Now that there Red, is a damn fine staff."
Horkin reached out and took the staff from Raistlin's grasp. He ran his staff smoothly over the wood, then nodded approvingly. Horkin handed the staff back. His mouth upturned at Raistlin's amazement.
" Well balanced, a fine weapon."
" It is the staff of Magius." Raistlin said indignantly, holding his staff protectively.
" Oh the staff of Magius, is it now " Horkin grinned. He had a leering grin, thrusting out his lower jaw, with that his result was his lower canines resting ontop of his upper lip. He moved closer to Raistlin, his voice barely above a whisper.
" I'll tell you what Red. You can buy a dozen of those staves for two steel in any mage shop in Palanthas."
Horkin shrugged.
" Still there is a mite of magic packed in that thing. I can feel it twizzle in my hand. I don't suppose you have any idea of what that staff can do, do ya Red?"
Raistlin was too appalled to speak. Two steel in Palanthas! The magic- the powerful magic- the compensation given to him for his shattered body- dismissed as a mite that " twizzled". True Raistlin did not know of all that the staff was capable of but still. . .
" Thought not." spoke Horkin.
He turned his back on them, walked over to the stone table, placed his massive weight upon a stool, and placed a pudgy finger inside the pages of the leathery spell book that lay open upon the table.
" I suppose there's no help for it. . . I'm going to have to start over." he mumbled.
Horkin motioned to the broken beaker that had spilled it's contents on the floor.
" Clean up the mess Red, there's a mop in the corner."
Anger seethed in Raistlin, and bubbled over.
" I will not!"
Raistlin stopped his foot to emphasize his ire.
" I will not clean up your mess. I will not suboordinate myself to a man who's beneath me. I took the Test in the Tower of High Sorcery! I risked my life for magic! I was not afraid!. . . "
" Afraid?" Horkin interrupted the torrent. " We'll see who's afraid, by Luni."
" When you are in my presence. . " spoke Raistlin icily. " You will refer to the goddess Lunitari with the respect she is due… "
Crysallis frowned darkly.
" Hush Raistlin." she spoke sharply.
Raistlin turned to glare at Crysallis.
" And why should I? If anything you should be as insulted as I am. Or maybe you are just like him. . . Not showing respect where it is due--"
Crysallis glided swiftly over to Raistlin and grabbed him by the hem of his robes. Her emerald eyes flashed dangerously and became tinged with amber gold.
" I said SILENCE!. " she growled. " If anything Raistlin Majere, you are the one who is in dire need to show respect."
" How Dare You. . " Raistlin snarled.
Crysallis pushed him away from her. She continued to glare at him but her eyes had stop flickering.
" Raistlin, if you had been paying attention, you would've noticed that he wears the symbol of Lunitari over his heart. " she spoke more calmly.
As she spoke this, she pointed towards Horkin's chest. Horkin stood there looking surpised for a moment, but reached down into his shirt and grabbed the pendant.
Raistlin watched silently as Horkin held out the pendant for him to see. It was small and silver but inside of it was a small crimson red pearl. As well as on the front of his shirt, was a rough embroidery of Lunitari's symbol that Raistlin hadn't noticed before.
Horkin snorted at his ignorance.
" Dear Luni gave me this with her own fair hands. I have seen her and I have talked to her."
The elder mage glared up at him, into him, and through him. Raistlin glared back.
" I may not hold her symbol. " spoke Raistlin, holding his ground. " But I wear her color, which is as you so astutely noticed, is red. And she has spoken to me as well."
Silence filled the small corridor until it was broken by a soft feminine voice.
" Yet who hasn't spoken to Lunitari, Raistlin? She speaks to all who she finds worthy to hold her power, knowledge, and secular wisdom. It is best for you two to clear the air now, it is surely not how she would've wanted you two to meet." spoke Crysallis, her tone betraying wisdom beyond her age.
Horkin looked back and forth between both mages, his mind sharing the same thoughts.
" So Luni has spoken to you two, this you swear?"
Raistlin nodded adamantly. Crysallis merely gave him an acknowledging blink.
" Yes, By the red moon we swear." they both said in unison.
Horkin grunted.
" Yes what?"
Raistlin narrowed his eyes at him. He did not like this man who was so obviously crude and less educated than him.
" Yes sir, by the Red moon I swear." spoke Crysallis smoothly.
Raistlin glanced over at her in attempt to figure out what she was thinking. Finally after a moment's silence, Raistlin turned to face Horkin.
" Yes. . . Master Horkin, sir."
" Good. . " Horkin grunted.
Then he gestured over to the spilled beaker.
" Now clean this up."
That's all for now. New characters will be brought up in the next chapter. Now you know I can't just have Horkin, Crysallis and Raistlin be the only mages here now can I?
This story may only be the point of view of Raistlin and Crysallis, but mostly Raistlin. There will be more about the others later.
Review for me please.
~RoguesHeart~
