Bonds
Disclaimer: I don't own DL, plainly.
AN: I didn't mean for this to be so long. I planned for them to leave, but that'l be next capter.
Dalamar handed the branch to Arine. As soon as she had it, the cat jumped down from the tree, walked unscathed through Shoikan Grove, and trotted in her wake. Thinking that Arine must be making some other magical item for Rila, he turned to the other three. He had never noticed Rila and Arine to be friends, and what was this group doing together?
"What are you all waiting for?" he asked.
"Naldyn and I request an escort from the Grove," Palin said, glancing at Canore with a perplexed expression.
"What for?" Dalamar asked, ignoring the third pupil until he had sorted out the other two.
"I want to go to the Temple," Palin told him.
"I'm going to see Astinus," Naldyn said in a matter-of-fact voice, daring one of them to deny her right to go.
Dalamar appeared shocked at first, but nodded at last with a thin smile. Even Canore's interest was piqued by that declaration. When he realized that they were staring expectantly at him, he said "I don't have to leave. I just like being near something else living, and the only thing we've got is the Grove."
Rila approached the elf, who didn't even realize her presence. That's what she thought at least. Without looking up, Telir asked "Do you think I should take two blankets? If it rains, one will be worthless, but I don't have much room."
She pondered a moment before saying "It's easier to just take a sleeping roll."
"Yes, I'll do that then. Now, what brings you here?"
"Do you know where you intend to go?"
"No, are you making a proposition?" Telir favored her with an intrigued expression.
"Yes. I will be going to Qualinesti. If you will escort me, I will aid you in your quest first."
Teliralas paused, sighing. He didn't want to go home. He hadn't been away long enough to miss the elven realm or to forgive the people who had driven him from it. Also, he knew that he probably would not get another offer, and he wanted an ally. Running a hand through his chestnut hair in a gesture of indecision, he nodded.
"Agreed."
Arine crept into her room, barely containing her exultation. As soon as the door was shut, she cackled madly. The staff fell from her hands as she used them both to caress the branch. With fervor, she tore off the barks, shedding bits of her skin along with the wood. Impervious to the splinters and scratches, Arine carved ancient runes into the oak limb.
"Asirikoth dulath rerak/Shrath tekir arn Rila"
The runes warmed, orange light seeping between her fingers. The balefire flashed, grew in intensity. She could feel her skin cooking, splitting, igniting. The cloying scent of burning flesh made her gag, but she continued to press her palms against the runes. Her skin was melting, dripping from the bones, gathering in sticky meres like tar on the floor. Charred bones held fast to the bough until what remained of her hands cracked and exploded into a billion motes of ash.
The illusion ended abruptly, the pain leaving nearly as swiftly. Her hands bore no mark of her trial. Beneath her healthy hands, the wood's temperature was neutral. The only sign that anything had changed was the aura of power in the branch and her exhaustion. Laughing weakly, she collapsed, panting for several minutes.
Arine yearned for sleep, but it was forbidden to her. Her task was not complete. Still lying on the rug, she reached into her pocket and fished out an orb. Preserving a ball of ice since winter had been difficult, but it was worth it now. She touched the end of the branch to it and the sphere froze onto the tip. At last, she licked the sweet ice. No liquid was removed by her action; the globe would stay frozen until a stronger magic overcame hers. All that mattered was that the tiniest fraction of the enchanted ice become a part of her.
Rolling over, she crawled around on her knees until she located the staff. Dragging herself up with the bed, she straightened her clothing before going to the door. Cautiously she opened it and stepped into the apparently empty hallway. She pulled the wand partially into her sleeve and strode towards her destination with haste, for the second half had to be done before an hour passed.
The clerk at the Temple smiled at Palin when he approached. Palin smiled nervously in response. Being a white mage among the Black Robes was equivalent to being among the clerics of Paladine. Clerics, regardless of their affiliation, give themselves wholly to their deity. Without the god or goddess's favor, they have nothing. Wizards, on the other hand, represent the gods but act independently, sometimes contradicting their wishes. Therefore, clerics are trusted more, but since a mage's power derives mainly from themselves, they often prove more useful.
"We don't often see wizards here," the clerk told him," but you are welcome. Why have you come?"
"I'm here to see Lady Crysania, if I may?"
"I will tell her that you have come to visit her. Your name?"
"Palin Majere. We've never met so tell her...Tell her that a family friend has come. She will understand that, I believe." Inwardly, he added "That should give her fair warning. If she doesn't want to discuss him, she'll be able to decline."
If the clerk thought his request odd or recognized his surname, he did not say so. The old man left Palin at the door and returned moments later. Beckoning, he said "The lady asks that you visit in her chamber." Palin said nothing and followed the clerk, taking his time. He wasn't sure if he simply wanted to linger on the splendor of the Temple, or if he was regretting coming to this place.
The elderly clerk knocked on the door, and a steady, feminine voice called them inside. Palin braced himself against the unknown. When he saw her, he relaxed. Crysania radiated wisdom and gentleness. She was calm, but alert. She looked much the way he imagined from his father's descriptions, except that her hair was shot through with silver, and her face had a few lines. Neither of these facts detracted from her beauty, he thought. He could not understand what she had loved in Raistlin, and he in her, for the differences were so great to his mind.
"You may leave us, Galric, unless you would like some wine, Palin?"
"No, but thank you."
Galric left with a concerned glance towards Crysania. He said nothing, shutting the door softly behind him. Palin stood there a moment, at a loss. The woman smiled slightly, indicating a chair with a wide sweep of her right hand, instructing him to sit.
As he did, she asked "Why have you come, Palin?"
"Can't you guess?" he said, surprised.
"I meant, why now?"
"Oh. I've always wanted to speak with you about...Well, I couldn't find a reason to just come, but now that I'm leaving Palanthas, and since I might not return, I have found my initiative."
"What exactly do you want to know?" Crysania inquired patiently. She adjusted her position to face the direction of Palin's voice.
. My father's said a lot about you, and about my uncle, but there's just some things that he won't tell me, things Dalamar will not tell me. I was hoping you could enlighten me."
The cleric considered his words, pensive. "Tell me what you know of Raistlin then."
"My father never really said much, not unless I asked specifically. My siblings and I never heard anything about him until I was...Well, it was Crysie's--My youngest sister is named for you--fourth Gift of Life day, so I was nine. Sensitive girl she is, she was upset that Father was so distant. I asked him what the matter was, so he cheered up, but you could tell it was feigned. I asked Mother, and she said it was the anniversary of...Well, that day with the Portal. Crysie was satisfied with that but I kept asking questions. I was fascinated, I suppose, and the more I learned, the more I asked. He talked more about when they were young, before the war, before Raistlin took the Test. After every anecdote, he'd remind me how lucky I am to have my family and to watch out for my little sisters. It's been a long time since I've seen them all. Maybe I can stop by Solace...
"Anyway, when I took my Test about five years ago, Dalamar organized an illusion, because my father wouldn't allow it otherwise...I went to the top of the Tower, and I saw into it, the Portal. It was open, and then I was in the Abyss. I found him. Dying..."
"Go on," Crysania said in a choked way, clearing her throat. To each of them, the room felt colder now.
"And he knew me. I watched...watched the Dark Queen...kill him, but he healed and we escaped. I was so happy for a short while. I thought...thought that he could come to Solace with me, teach me...He just wanted to dominate the world. Well, I mean, it was an illusion. My memory hasn't been so vivid since it happened. He asked that I wear the Black Robes, and I...I died, to stop him. I can't remember that part. I woke up, and found out it wasn't real...but I have his staff, from inside the Laboratory. The Guardian said it was promised to me. I don't understand it all. Dalamar doesn't either. He gets upset any time I ask him about what truly occurred."
"Why have you stayed here in Palanthas? I can tell that you are...troubled by what happened."
Palin absently ran his hand over the Staff of Magius, up to the base of the disembodied claw. The crystal gleamed faintly. Abruptly he moved his hand, and looked to her, saying "It's hard to explain. I just belong there, more than any other place. It doesn't make sense with me wearing the White Robes but..."
"I understand," Crysania said sympathetically.
"He's such a big part of me. It's the same magic, the same blood, you see. My father says we are very much alike. I'm not certain where he gets that impression. I mean, I am never certain if I should be flattered or insulted, or if it's only a fact. For so long, since I realized that I wanted to study magic, he has been my idol, but then I saw what he really was. There's still something admirable in Raistlin. Everyone is looking to me to be as great as he was too. I can't escape it, but I don't really want to either."
She smiled sadly, a wistful sheen to her clear, unseeing eyes. "Palin, what do you want out of life, from your magic?"
"To help people, I suppose."
"No, that is not elaborate enough. Raistlin could have justified himself as helping people by disposing of the Dark Queen. In fact, in more words, that is what he did."
"Oh...Then I...Um, don't know." He frowned, adding "I do, vaguely. I want to learn, maybe have a family or something like that, but a real goal? I've none. I did not know this before."
"So I assumed," Crysania responded, not unkindly. "Maybe you will discover something, young one. I think five years is too long to spend in that dark place."
"Perhaps. I do miss the sunlight."
"Do you still want to hear about your uncle then?"
"Yes."
Crysania sighed. She had allowed him to come because she felt he deserved the truth about Raistlin. Knowing Caramon, he would not have been told much. Curiosity had enticed her as well. Now though, she didn't want to bring the topic up. After thirty years, she thought about him every day. The memories were no less painful, although the type of sorrow had changed. She did want to discuss Raistlin. No one had asked for so long, but she already agreed to speak of the most powerful mage to have lived.
"I heard of his deeds in the war when I was a young woman. At the time, the True Gods were only beginning to reclaim the loyalty of the people. I had just converted to be a cleric of Paladine. I was eager to make a mark, do good for Krynn. Raistlin sounded so courageous and clever. I couldn't understand how someone like that would don the Black Robes. I believed that he was only misguided, and that I could lead him back to the straight path." She sighed, continuing "I do not know what to tell you that you have not heard before."
Palin started to say something, hesitated, then asked "Once my father said that you loved my uncle, and he must have loved you. Is that true, do you think?"
Her expression transformed drastically, as if a shadow cloaked her instantly. The air pulsed with tension, each of them as still as marble until Crysania finally canted her head to concur. "Yes, I did love him. Very much like your father in that respect. I did not understand him, all of him at least. In that, it's a shallow love, but...I still don't know if he loved me. If he did, he would take it as a weakness. His ambition was stronger than love. Sometimes I wish it could have been different for him. Maybe more like you, young one."
"I would not be what I am were it not for him."
"Many people would say that of themselves. He would be proud of you. He understood his choice completely, Palin. When he chose, he knew that ultimately goodness is the most powerful force. The darkness is the quickest way to power, which is what he desired, but he would be proud of you in spite of your alliance. If I can see the best of him in you, he would."
"What do you see in me though, that is in him, besides the magic?"
"He felt compassion, just not for everyone. You have his intelligence, his stillness. He was always calm. There was nothing he did not account for. Perhaps you do not consider this a positive trait, but you have his distance, aloofness. Sometimes that will help a person, but it has a great price. He is alone now, and you isolate yourself in the Shoikan Grove."
"I don't see."
"Yes, you do. You think that no one understands. I felt that way; he felt that way. It's not true. You think more deeply. You need more than just a family and a field to keep you happy. Maybe it's not even happiness you seek. Greatness, power, insight? They are not so different. You must decide which, Palin."
"What is it, Bertram?" Astinus did not pause or glance at the Aesthetic. In a precise script, he wrote without stopping, adding that Bertram had interrupted
"Naldyn Mallen of Tarsis has come, requesting an audience."
Astinus noted that in his great tome and said "Have her come here then. Make haste. There isn't much time before she will set out."
"Here?" Bertram asked, astounded. At nineteen, she would be the youngest person ever to set foot in this place.
"Yes. As I said, make haste." Bertram bowed, and did as Astinus bade. Not long after, Beret returned anxiously with the black-clad wizardess on his heels. She curtsied elegantly, the gesture wasted because Astinus had not looked up.
"What brings you to my study?"
Naldyn took a deep breath, searching for the proper way to begin. Should she be self-assured or modest? Like many others, she felt the overwhelming sense of reverence and insignificance, not scornful nor welcoming. She believed herself to be in the presence of a god, who deserved to be recognized as such, but if she did acknowledge that, she would be claiming more of attention that was rightly hers.
"You see, sir, we now know how Fistandantilus transferred his essence into the bodies of other people, or something like that. I think that he might have written other spell books, under other names."
"And you would like me to tell you what names, and where?"
"I did not expect so much, sir."
"Yet this is what you shall have, but I do not bargain with mortals without a fee."
"I have nothing which could be of any value to you," she insisted.
"But you will, if you succeed. This moment has waited all of the millennia, to test existence. Even I cannot tell to what end. Even now, there is something being forged which threatens all Creation. I have seen it already through the eyes of many Seers, but will not impress upon my mind. It must not make it's way to any other plane. There is a single scroll which you have to obtain, which will instruct you."
"I thought you are neutral in all things?" she asked.
"I am, but the reason for neutrality is to preserve Creation. It is Gilean more than Paladine who caused the Cataclysm, to restore neutrallity. If the races can revert to harmony, it is recorded, as they were in the beginning, then the universe has achieved it's purpose."
Astinus did halt now, ageless silence enveloping everything. It felt to Naldyn and Bertram that their hearts were not beating, or else the noise of it would deafen them. Astinus, however, was thinking of the unwritten chronicle, the one Caramon Majere had brought from the future in which his twin ruled as the only god. Even in that bleak time, neutrality had not failed, for Raistlin existed, as he would have infinitely.
"The only thing which is clear to me is that this scroll is 'plain before the Dark Queen's many eyes, to he who sees for her.' You will be the one that deciphers the riddle."
"Why me? How am I worthy of this quest? Why not a White Robe to be the savior?"
"You are the one who asked. The duty is yours now, and why not a Black Robe?" Astinus retorted with a piercing gaze. "You serve Takhisis. Darkness destroys itself, but it cannot destroy neutrality, from which it springs and has no part of at once. She will grant you sight in time, for her realm and she herself are under threat as well. None of us comprehend it fully yet, but this much is plain."
"How can you not know what this something is? I thought you know all there is to be known?"
"I have only the barest glimpse of the future. Time has a natural current that it must follow, but each bend in the river of Time is not determined until the water reaches it. I know only what I have told you. I can tell you no more."
Rila approached the Laboratory door cautiously. She did not like this section of the Tower, but predictably, Palin was there, perusing the door thoughtfully, then focusing his attention on the Staff of Magius. His free hand would occasionally run over the door itself, perhaps turn the knob futilely. He was the only person who dared, and likely the only person the Guardian would tolerate.
Her cat trotted forward before Rila could stop him. To her horror, the Guardian materialized, then did nothing. The corpses of vermin and insects littered the floor, what remained of the Guardians 'meals', but the feline was ignored. She silently praised whatever god had done her this kindness, certain that Gilean did not particularly care for her pet one way or the other.
Palin jumped at her whispered prayer. He smiled affectionately at the younger girl, if not enthusiastically. When he noticed her discomfort at being there, he went to the stairs and walked down, waiting for her thirteen steps down, as wont. Rila called for her cat, snapping her fingers to draw his attention. The black animal whisked his tail, flattened his ears in annoyance. The Guardian and the cat stared at one another, and Rila decided that it was better to let them be. She followed Palin.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"At the Temple," he answered, and both of their countenances fell at the mention, for different reasons.
"What's wrong, Rila?"
"My father was a cleric, so my mother says."
"Under what god?"
"The Dark Queen."
"A dark cleric wed a...a normal woman?"
"They were not wed," she responded in a low voice, her eyes downcast. Her delicate hands clenched. Palin said no more on the painful topic. It never occurred to him before that he knew very little about Rila's parents. She was born outside of Palanthas in a small town he had not heard of to a barmaid in the local tavern. Rila knew little about the man, who was hanged for murder before she was born. Still, she had not mentioned before that he was a cleric of Takhisis.
"You've been a brother to me. I wanted to tell you that before we all left." She smiled weakly, remembering how he found her on the streets. Since he would amount to more, Palin enjoyed entertaining on the streets once in a while. Ten year old Rila had volunteered to participate in his act, but got Palin into trouble when she disrupted his trick with her own elementary magic. Quite shocked, Palin had brought her to the Tower where Dalamar studied her and agreed to allot her an opportunity.
"I could go with you."
Rila shook her head. "I am going to Qualinesti." Palin took it as a matter of loyalty towards Tanis, and perhaps even to Dalamar, that he never go to such a self-righteous, unforgiving place. He nodded and embraced her, then stepped back a pace, saying "Very well. I hope we meet again. No more time for sentiment. I believe it is time for our last meal together for a year."
