Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Raistlin Chronicle characters. But I do own the ones that aren't, so you can't sue me. (does a happy dance)
I am so happy. People liked the other chapter.
Thanks to:
Dalamar Nightson: Oh, you'll find out what's wrong with Crysallis in time. Patience young one. (yoda-style)
Childlike Emperess: Lol, you don't think Crysallis is human? Sure she has some quirks but it's possible. (wink wink) Anyways, I figured Theoddox was long over due for a beating.
Guan: Oooh, did the mysterious approach work? I was wondering about that for a while after I had typed up the chapter. (sniffles) I'm so happy it worked, I usually suck at that thing.
Recap: Crysallis beats the ( so called) crap out of Theoddox. Has a small midnight episode of pain, Raistlin helps her and all is well.
Guess what?! My brother messed up my Brothers In Arms book beyond repair. So now I have to base everything off memory. BUT IS SHALL NOT GIVE UP OR QUIT!! Hopefully my memory works well enough. Granted that at the moment, I'm not in my full health so this chapter may turn out crappy.
Chapter 8: Training
" Nothing ever happens
by chance."
RoguesHeart
That morning, Raistlin and the others were ordered to perform yet more menial tasks-- sweeping the laboratory, washing empty beakers in a tub of soapy water, carefully wiping the dust from the books on the shelves. Raistlin mostly enjoyed the dusting mainly because he had a chance to study spell books, and he was impressed by some of what he found. His hopes had been revived. If Horkin was able to utilize these books, he might not be the amateur he appeared.
Raistlin's hopes were dashed almost next moment, when Horkin appeared at his elbow.
" Quite a few spell books, here." Horkin spoke carelessly. " I've only read one, and couldn't make much sense of it."
" Why do you keep them then, sir?" asked Theoddox haughtily.
Horkin shrugged and winked.
" They'll make good weapons if we were ever besieged. "
Lifting one of the larger books, he thumped it disrespectfully.
" Put one of these tomes in a catapult and launch, and it'll do some damage, by Luni."
Both Marius and Crysallis glanced up, their eyebrows raised in amusement. On the other hand, both Raistlin and Theoddox were looking quite appalled.
Horkin chuckled at the attention he was gaining and elbowed Raistlin painfully in the ribs.
" I'm joking Red! I'd never do anything like that. These books are too valuable. I could get oh-- probably six or seven steel for the lot. They're not mine, you know. Most were captured by the Aubrey expedition six years back."
Horkin ran his hand over another book.
" Now you take this black fancy book."
Horkin removed the book from the shelf and looked at it fondly.
" I took it from a Black Robe last campaign season. He was running fast- to the rear, mind you- but I guess he thought he needed to run faster. 'Cause he flung aside his book, which must've been weighing him down. I picked it up and brought it back. "
" What spells does it contain." voiced Crysallis, her hands itching to take the book from Master Horkin's hands.
" Beats the heck out of me, " Horkin spoke cheerfully. " I can't even read the runes on the cover. I never looked inside. Why waste my time with a such gobbledygook? Must have some choice spells, though. Maybe someday you all can take a look at it."
Raistlin would have given up half of the years of his life to be able to read that book. He could not make out the runes either, but with study he was certain he could come to understand them. Just as, with study, he could come to understand the spells inside his book, a book Horkin could never read. A book that was nothing more to him than the price of a mug of ale.
" Perhaps if you'd allow me to take it back to our quarters.." Raistlin began.
" Not now, Red."
Horkin tossed the book carelessly back upon the shelf.
" No time to waste for you puzzling out the Black Robe spells that you, being a red robe, probably couldn't use anyways. "
Horkin turned to Marius.
" We're running low bat guano. Scout around the castles walls and pick up all you can find."
Marius shuddered slightly. He had seen the bats leaving the castle towers last evening in the pursuit of insects. He frowned and left in the pursuit of bat droppings, the runes on the spell book burning in his mind.
" You can never have too much bat guano." Horkin remarked on his way out, with a wink.
Marius and the others spent two hours picking up the poisonous bat guano and putting it into a bag. They were careful to wash their hands well, then reported back to the laboratory, where they found Horkin eating supper.
" You're just in time." Horkin mumbled, crumbs from the maize bread dribbling from the corners of his mouth. He mourned the loss of the syrup he usually poured over the hard, dry yellow mass. " Eat up, all of you." he gestured towards the plates. " You are going to need your strength."
" I am not hungry, sir." Raistlin said, diffidently.
Horkin did not stop chewing.
" That's an order Red. I can't have you passing out in the middle of battle 'cause your belly's empty."
Raistlin pecked at the maize bread and was surprised to find that it indeed taste good to him. After everyone had finished, they cleaned the dishes, Horkin puttered around the corner of the laboratory.
" Well." Horkin said, when Raistlin had completed his task. " Are you ready to begin your training?"
Raistlin smiled scornfully. He could not imagine that Horkin could teach him anything. He was by far, way more superior to Horkin in every way possible.
Theoddox snarled at Horkin. There was no possible way for Horkin to manage to teach him anything he didn't already know. He figured by the end of the session, Horkin would be begging for them to teach him.
Crysallis's face remained blank. But on the inside she was becoming more and more intrigued. She was eager to find out just how much the man really knew. Stretching slightly, she felt as her ancient bones groan with the stress.
' merdeā¦'
Marius grinned cheerfully.
" Are we going to be going outside today Master?"
Horkin glanced over at the eager red robe.
" Yes."
Man, my head hurts. (curses all headaches and fevers)
Sorry for the seriously short chapter, my head hurts too much.
Read and Review please!
RoguesHeart
