Nine's Notes:

Dalamar Nightson: Thanks, I feel loved. But be careful what you wish for, as far as a speedy recovery goes... evil grin

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonlance. It is property of Weiss/Hickman and Wizards of the Coast. Renetari is of my own invention.

"That was… successful…" My father seems doubtful. He sweeps a few platinum scales off of his throne and slumps into the seat.

"How do you judge the situation?"

"Lunitari agreed with us before this meeting." He says. "I wasn't expecting you to impress Branchala so handily. That will help… as I predicted, Mishakal was impressed with your empathy."

"Solinari wouldn't agree to support me unless you planted explosives on his moon." I remark. "Kiri-Jolith looked like he would be much happier if my head was on a platter."

"I've already tried planting explosives on his moon. Childhood prank- I'd forgotten about that, actually. It certainly doesn't help that Sargonnas was telling anyone who would- or wouldn't- listen about how you have Takhisis' eyes." He sighs. "I'm sure he meant it as a compliment… what was he saying, the green dragon head?"

"He told me blue." I shrug. "I used to think that having a chronically small family was a curse. Now I see what happens when you have a large family."

"A large, dysfunctional family." He almost laughs. "I did manage to get Hiddukel to convince- more likely trick- Chemosh, Morgion, and Zeboim to join our side. I had to use more potions of glibness than I like, and I still can't trust the Prince of Lies."

"Paladine seemed more accepting than Solinari."

"He'll never admit it, but he happens to like Luni and me. Considering his only other nieces are Zeboim and that demigod half-sister of mine-"

"I see why." I nod. "How does this council work, anyway?"

"In order to pass something of this magnitude, we need to have a majority, not just among all the gods as is customary, but also a majority from each pantheon." He explains. "With Hiddukel's aid, picking up the last vote we need from the evil side shouldn't be a problem. Sargonnas and I will definitely be voting for the resolution. Lunitari will vote for you, but we'd have to do more diplomatic work in order to get votes from the other neutral gods… and the good gods will be worse. Mishakal and Branchala seem to like you, but I know that Solinari and Kiri-Jolith will never vote for you. Which means that we have to try to convince Majere and Habbakuk…"

I shudder. "Even hearing the word Majere makes me anxious."

"I assure you, Majere the mage and Majere the god have very different personalities."

"That reminds me, I left Majere-"

He smirks. "Go. I'll begin to make plans."

I bow, then hurry back to Dalamar's room.

"I believe the Council has adjourned. I should be returning to where I was." Raistlin said. "If you would kindly leave before you stink up the place, I would appreciate it."

"I don't take that kindly, Majere." Fistandalius said. "But… I will stay away from the girl and the elf. Until the Test, that is."

"Until the Test, Fistandalius. Keep your word, or I shall have to see if I can adapt Renetari's mage-bane spell to undead."

"You have made yourself clear." The lich stalked from the room with an air of predatory anticipation.

Raistlin sighed. He didn't like the thought of siccing Fistandalius on a young magus. Well, he'd told Nuitari he'd exploit her weaknesses, and he damn well would! But… if he could make her weaknesses a little more defensible…

He pulled a spellbook down from a shelf and teleported back to the sickroom.

"Raistlin!"

"He is much the same." He turns his hourglass eyes upon me. Looking at them makes me dizzy, so I break my eye contact. "Fistandalius came near once, but he was only leaving the library for his crypt. He was no threat."

"The Council went poorly." I sit across from him. "I didn't dare talk to Kiri-Jolith, he looked like he'd kill me if I came close. I did manage to impress Branchala, though."

"I've never liked bards."

"That seems to be a popular sentiment."

"If they weren't so damned cheerful, maybe I could tolerate them."

"What's that?" I gesture to the book he has under his elbow.

"I brought it for you." He shoves it across the table. "Spells targeted for use against the undead. No use having clever spells if they won't affect your greatest enemy."

"Wow, thanks!" I exclaim, then realize something. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?"

"This isn't being nice." He grate-laughs. "This is being your- what is the term our charming elf friend has for it?"

"Shalafi." I fill in. "And may I note that, if I have anything to say about it, the title will be temporary."

"My dear Renetari, do you not trust me?"

"My dear Raistlin, I don't think that question needs answering." I open the new spellbook and begin to read.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

There is an intolerable amount of noise around me, and I hurt quite a lot. I only notice this when I'm awake, though. As soon as I'm able to see a little, something funny happens to the air and I fall asleep again.

"He was the driver of the car. Will you press charges?"

"Will we press charges? Will we press charges?" A man yells. "That man kidnapped our only daughter, then killed her! I want his life for that!"

What strange, illogical people. Hmm, it seems that my flesh is burnt quite badly. I wonder why I'm still alive? I don't have any healing spells to cast on myself. Shame. Well, no one ever became aBlack Robefor the health benefits.

"He's stirring."

The strange fog-like air enters my mouth again, and I drift back to sleep…

"…Shalafi…"

I dismiss the voice as a dream.