A/N: well I'm not so sure where to go with the story right now..writers block has hit me again in the Dragonlance department...so I'm sorry if this chap. doesn't make sense.

Plan for War

Upon delivering the death blow to Beryl Ryan had plunged back to the ground, too tired to keep herself up anymore.

The voice in her head had become dim and distant. She longed to hear it again, though she didn't know why...

Mirror and Keryl had dragged her back to the dragon stable and had tried to heal her. Mirror had been worried that in a last attempt to kill Ryan, Beryl had cast a lasting spell, but he had not been able to prove it yet.

This had been 3 days ago. The capitol of Qualinesti had been rejoicing and celebrating nonstop around the burning corpse of Beryl, which was now only ebony bones and scorched scales.

The people had wanted to see the 'wonderful servant of Paladine' that had saved them all, but Ryan was in poor health since the fight and didn't want any visitors.

Keryl was with her at all times and ensured she was given peace. On the morning of the 4th day after the fight, King Gilthas insisted upon seeing her.

"Please, leave her be!" Keryl was yelling as he ran after the king, "She isn't well."

"I am here to see if there is anything I can do for her, for there is much we owe her. I'm certain some of the clerics can help her." Gilthas said confidently.

They entered the stall that Ryan had been staying in. Ryan was curled up in the far corner like a kitten in hiding. She lay hidden in the shadows breathing softly creating a soft warm breeze as she slept.

Upon the intrusion she awoke, "Keryl?" she asked in a hoarse, disoriented voice.

"Yes..um.. I'm here with some guests."

"Leave me Keryl.. I don't feel well.." she moaned, shifting.

"My lady." Glithas bowed before her, "If I may?" he asked to come closer.

"Your not going to leave otherwise are you?" she growled in annoyance.

"Correct."

She sighed, "Yes, closer..I can hardly see you." she squinted in their direction.

"I'm both here to thank and to help." Gilthas said as he stepped forward into the shadows with her. "You have done something we have only dreamed of doing for years! The whole city had been celebrating for days." Gilthas said his pleasure showing in his expression.

"Do I really car..." Ryan started to retort. Mirror appeared in the doorway of the stall and gave her a gentle glare. "I mean...thank you, I was glad to be of help."she corrected herself in a more kind voice.

Gilthas waved for his clerics to enter, "Please except my help."

Ryan nodded too tired to care anymore.

As the clerics began caring for Ryan Gilthas walked back over to Keryl and the shifted form of Mirror (as a human).

"I would like to speak to you of further plans." he said softly, "Now that the dreaded Dragon overlord is gone, Qualinesti is free to act without hindrance."

"You plan to fight?" Mirror asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, with all our might. If we don't fight it will only be a matter of time before someone comes and conquers us again."

"A wise choice." Mirror nodded his agreement.

"We were also hoping..that we may have your help in this endeavor?" Gilthas seemed to be begging them to stay and help. He knew that what he was hoping to do wasn't possible without them.

"I will have to talk to my friends..and I don't know how long it will be before Rya..I mean Sunriser is well again."

"Very well. I will leave it up to you and your companions." Gilthas seemed a little put out but hid it well. The clerics were done with their work and departed with their king.

"Feeling better?" Keryl asked Ryan.

"Much." she said tersely.

Mirror butted in, shifting back into his dragon form, "We have much to talk about.." he began.

"Like?" Ryan asked with mild curiosity.

"If we are going to stay and help the elves..or leave and continue our quest." Mirror said quietly.

Keryl looked to Ryan, "I will leave my choice up to you Ryan..for you know, everywhere you go I go too."

Ryan smiled, she was glad she had her uncle here. "Well.. first things first." she grunted, standing stiffly, "We need to know where these elves are gonna go first. Who knows, they could be going in a direction we want to go." she said as she stretched her sore wings.

Mirror nodded glad that she was willing to help the elves, Mirror himself had not wanted to leave the elves to a possible defeat and destruction. As long as the elves' cause remained clear and true he would help them.

"Before His Majesty came to see you he mention to me that they may challenge the Black Sable in the marshes, considering he is closest and they may fear that since his cousin is gone he will move in to take the land."

"And will start all the torture all over again." Keryl added.

"I have never heard of Sable.." Ryan admitted, scratching the floor with her dull claws.

"Yes, that's understandable. Sable or otherwise known as Onysablet rarely leaves his territory so remains somewhat dormant in the peoples minds. Not to mention he's not half as powerful as Beryl.." Mirror explained and then paused, "As a matter of fact..I have been wondering..how did you take down one of the most powerful dragons in Krynn? How did you know the ancient spell of the Black Death that has been lost to the mortal races for centuries or longer?"

"I..I don't know.." Ryan muttered. She didn't want her friends to know she was hearing voices in her head. What would they think if she told them that? That she had lost her mind in the fight or she had been driven to momentary madness by Beryl's dragon fear? No, she would keep this to herself.

Keryl looked at her with concern. Mirror snorted, not believing her, but decided to leave the topic alone.

"Well, with spells like that in your head Sable shouldn't be a problem." Mirror said confidently.

"When do we leave?" Keryl asked.

"We have 4 days...4 days before the elves head out."

"Then its to war..." Ryan said grimly.