Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. No, I swear it wasn't me who tried to break into Margaret Weis' home yesterday...
Secrets Revealed
Dalamar walked back into Jess's room quite shaken. He knew he'd sensed something familiar about the new teacher. He and Maeg spoke in unison.
"I need to tell you something."
"We need to talk."
"Well, ladies first. What about?"
Maeg looked apologetic. "Look, Daniel. We know you're not who you say you are. There are to many holes in your story. You don't have to tell us if it's too private, but others may suspect also. First, your white as a ghost, not tanned from a life in Africa." Dalamar started to make and excuse, but Maegith plowed on. "Second of all, your African language is a crock. Both Jess and I distinctly heard you say Silvanesti. And also, no one has heard of DragonLance, but not Tolkien or Harry Potter. Then, we both saw something weird about your skin when we were in the pool. And to top it all off, two days after you come, a sadistic beauty queen, who reminds me of no one so much as Takhisis, goddess of evil, takes the place of our Social Studies teacher. What is this!?" Maeg seemed exhausted by her sudden outburst, and Dalamar was shocked first by how much she'd noticed, and second by how much was true.
He decided to tell these intelligent humans the whole truth, not some half lie as he'd been planning. "You're absolutely right. About everything. So it's everything I'll tell you, though it may be a bit hard to accept at first. Do you still want to know? Because you can't go back once you've heard."
"God, this feels like the Matrix." Jess and Maeg traded looks that said more than words. "I'll take the red pill. Fire away." Though Dalamar was unfamiliar with the phraseology, he could see that meant they wanted to know.
"All right, though you probably won't believe me at first. I suppose to start, I should properly introduce myself." Dalamar paused a moment, letting the tension build. Maeg wondered what country put people so young in the intelligence force. Just before one of the girls asked something impatient, Dalamar went on. "Dalamar the Dark, born Dalamar Argent of Silvanesti, at your service." He made a flourishing bow.
Jess and Maeg's jaws both dropped, and then in unison then began to laugh. Dalamar motioned for them to watch, and then dropped his Glamours. His hair had been behind his ears, and his hands at his sides, so there could be no explanation of slight-of-hand. Before she realized what she was doing, Maeg stepped forward, hand raised, about to touch Dalamar's ear. She caught herself then, and lowered her hand, pretending to have simply wanted to push her hair back.
Before she could say anything, Jess cut in. "Assuming you're telling the truth, and this isn't an elaborate hoax, why tell us?" She knew Maeg's obsession with elves, and specifically Dalamar would cloud her better judgment.
"Well, that's what I needed to talk to you about. This is going to be hard for you to accept, but Maeg was completely correct. She said before that Miss Virago reminded her of the Dark Temptress. She was correct in her assessment. Jezebel Virago is Her Dark Majesty. My Shalafi and I have been commissioned to get her out of here, as it was our portal that created the problem in the first place. If you would be willing, the gods of magic have agreed to grant temporary powers to a few humans. I would like it if you would join us in the fight for your world."
After this impassioned speech, Maeg and Jess could only stand mute, gaping. Then, Jess recovered, still (quite wisely) not trusting Maeg to talk. "We need some solid proof. How do we know that wasn't just some store-bought magical illusion?" Dalamar rolled his eyes. These humans wouldn't know magic if it hit them in the head!
Dalamar grasped his shirt at the collar and ripped it open. Maeg and Jess then saw the bloody holes on his chest, exactly like five fingerprints, as described in the books. Dalamar motioned for the girls to come closer to see it wasn't a trick. This time, Maeg didn't stop herself from reaching out to touch his chest. She gently wiped away a steak of blood. "It's real!" She said in wonder. She stepped back and sank on to Jess's bed, the blood still on her fingers. "I'd always wished that this would happen ... but now I'm not sure I like it. I mean, who wants the Goddess of pure evil invading their world?" With that she was decided. "I'm in. How can I help you?"
Jess nodded her agreement. "You said Raistlin is going to help?" Raistlin had always been her favorite character. "Does he need somewhere to enter this world? No one will notice if he comes through here! In case there are any loud noises involved in the transport, I'll put on some music."
Maeg rolled her eyes. For the most part, she and Jess had quite different ideas of what made up music. However, when Jess showed her the CD, she was forced to admit it was appropriate. "The Soulforged" by Blind Guardian. The music to bring Raistlin into their world. Literally.
"Shalafi, we're ready." Dalamar spoke aloud for the benefit of the two girls. At his words, a glowing doorway appeared in front of the mirrors on the closet. Then, as if appearing through the mirror, Raistlin faded into view through the portal. He walked through, apparently used to the side effects of world jumping enough that the booming sound and odd texture of the portal didn't affect him. He adjusted his black robes that looked exactly like the ones shown on the cover of Dragons of Spring Dawning.
Maeg and Jess both leapt to their feet, unsure of how to greet the one who they knew was probably the most powerful mage in Krynn's history. Dalamar solved their problem for them. "Ladies, may I present my Shalafi – Raistlin Majere, Archmagus, Master of the Past and Present. Shalafi, Maegith Newkirk and Jess Salmalin." He glanced apologetically at the girls for lack of better titles.
Jess managed to find her voice. "Honored to meet you, Sir." Her voice quavered at having just met her favorite book character in the flesh.
Raistlin smiled. He was obviously in a good mood despite the turmoil of the morning, likely because of the Earthlings' awe. "The pleasure is mine," he rasped. He took Jess's offered hand as if to shake it but instead, gently brought it to his lips, his golden gaze never leaving Jess's brown one. He let go of her hand. "I would like to thank you for the use of your house. It would not be wise to draw attention to the house where my apprentice and I are staying." His voice was strained to be heard over the blasting heavy metal.
Then, Dalamar realized that any noise from the magic would have already happened. "Uh, Jess, do you think you could turn that down? It's hurting my ears." Maeg nodded empathetically.
"Sure, um... Dalamar. Sorry, I forgot about your Elven hearing." Jess tuned the song down slightly. Raistlin's attention was then drawn to the song and the lyrics astonished him.
"Each step I take
May it hurt may it ache
Leads me further
Away from the past
But as long as I breathe
Each smile in my bleak face
I'm on my way to find
Back to the peace of mind
And from the flames
As chance would have it
the soulforged will come into light
And from the flames as chance would have it
The soulforged,
The stainless will rise
I will never change my mind
I will leave it all behind"
Raistlin listened to the end of the chorus. By then he was sure. "Is that song about me?" He sounded shocked, but at the same time pleased and smug.
"Yes." Jess said. "It's called "The Soulforged," by Blind Guardian. You're not as famous here as on your world, but there does exist a small group of fans. By the way, when are you from?"
Maegith realized that whatever date they would say wouldn't do them much good, so she embellished. "Well, how long has Dalamar been your apprentice, Raistlin? Can I call you that?"
Raistlin looked impressed that the Earthlings were so respectful. He'd grown up around so many taunts and it was a pleasant change. "Yes, you may both call me by my first name. And Dalamar has just recently become my apprentice."
Maegith went on. "And, uh, Dalamar do you mind I use your first name as well?" She waited for his nod of ascent. "Well, ah, do you know Raistlin's sister yet?" He nodded, a slight blush staining his pale cheeks. "Raistlin, have you talked to any clerics lately?"
Raistlin looked surprised. "Only Goldmoon, and that was months ago. Why?"
Maegith thought for a moment. "Well, you'll meet one in the not too distant future and she'll be pivotal to your destiny. I don't want to reveal to much, because I know how disastrous meddling with time can be." She turned to Jess. "So, I guess they're from the beginning of Time of the Twins. All right."
Then, Dalamar and Raistlin left for their house. Jess said to Maeg, "Pinch me, I'm dreaming." She contemplated for a moment. "Wait, don't. I don't want to wake up."
Maeg looked at her. "Do you think it's really true? You know, about Takhisis invading and everything?"
Jess thought for a minute. "Yes, I do. Why else would they come here and ask for our help?"
Maeg snorted. "Well, that little obsession of Raistlin's, um, what is it called? Ah yes. World domination?"
Jess looked shocked. "You don't think Raistlin actually practiced on this world before trying to take over Krynn, do you? That would be awful." She thought for another minute. "Do you think if we helped, they'd let us go to Krynn with them?"
Maeg chuckled. "Well, it's worth asking, either way. Whether they're telling the truth about their purposes or not, that would be amazing. If they are telling the truth, we'll have to recruit our own army. Because I'm sure Takhisis will be doing that." The girls spent the rest of the night thinking of whom they could trust with Raistlin and Dalamar's true identity and mission.
Guan: Thanks for reviewing so much!
Jade: Ooh! Thanks - I never knew that! See, I'm just a wee bit computer challenged.
Kenderling: Thanks for the glowing praise! And by the way, you can have my spelling Nazi. I'm not referring to a friend, but to the jerk who refused to read my story because there was a spelling error in my summary. He (or she) hasn't reviewed again since I fixed it. I didn't know until today that so many people had me on their alert list! Blushing I'm glad you find my work so enjoyable.
Now, I have a bone to pick with those of you who have me on their alert list and have never reviewed. See, I've caught you now! Review, or I'll sic Tas on you when he's bored! So there!