Author's Note: Thank you to all who reviewed. Special thanks to Phoenixasending, and now to answer your question:

According to the literal definition you are absolutely right. But Raistlin was attacking not just her knowledge of Krynn, but her ability to think and learn as he criticizes everyone else in the group. Alessandra is always defensive of her knowledge and basic intelligence (common sense, etc.) and was not happy when she thought he was attacking her general knowledge and brain capacity. Also, it is entirely her thoughts and she would never admit to being ignorant regardless of whether or not she knew it.

Hope that clears it up! Enjoy! R&R!


We had been traveling as prisoners for four days. They were four of the longest, most excruciating days of my life. Following our educational interlude, no one had the strength or the desire to speak. We simply sat stiffly in the cage, silently wondering if we were ever going to get out alive.

I, to my utter embarrassment, had a worse reaction to the cage than most of the others. Being a girl from the USA, I had never gone hungry before. I had probably never gone more than six hours without food. And now I was being forced to go without food for four days. Naturally, two days into the journey I began to feel horribly weak and light headed. I couldn't see clearly nor could I process information.

The sun beat down on our cage with blistering heat. My mouth and throat were permanently dry and parched, but that ceased to bother me. I was beginning to lose control of my senses. My head was spinning uncontrollably. Even as it happened, I felt myself slipping away. My vision blurred and I no longer wanted to remain conscious. The darkness seemed so much more comforting to me. After all, when I was surrounded by darkness there were no swirling colors and sounds to give me a headache.

I vaguely remember the procession stopping somewhere. I caught the words "Arrest the tree! Obstruction of sunlight!" but had absolutely no idea what they were talking about (and neither did anyone else for that matter). I knew we were joined by another man, but I did not know anything about him apart from catching his name, Fizban.

My hand closed around the metal bar of the cage in an effort to grip reality, or maybe it was to keep myself sitting up. I don't remember which. In any case my hand closed around it, but before long it too slipped away from me. My head swam with pain and I cold no longer open my eyes. My skin burned one minute, but chilled the next. First I felt the blazing heat of a thousand fires, next the sharp crackle of lightning.

Suddenly a strong wind was rushing about me. I couldn't tell if it blew from in front of me or behind, or maybe even from beneath me. Regardless, it sent my hair flying around me, rushed past my ears leaving me deaf for the moment. But with the wind came an undeniable feeling of freedom. It surged over me and left me completely breathless. In that instant, the freedom that came was all I ever needed. Freedom and power.

Caught up in the moment, I tried to open my eyes and soak in the moment. But before I could colors began swirling in my mind at an alarming rate. Emerald green shone brightly, followed by blood red and deep sapphire blue. Glittering onyx was the last to appear, but it began taking on shapes. Wings, massive onyx wings sparkled vividly in the light of the sun. Huge, powerful legs with long pearlescent talons, sharp teeth with a marble hue that reflected intense power and capabilities. A beautiful pair of eyes, the color of blood rubies, stared directly into mine. They were strong, majestic, and regal and pierced my heart in only a moment. I couldn't catch my breath.

Finally the various shapes came together to form something completely amazing and breathtaking. I saw with my mind's eye creatures of unmatchable beauty and majesty. Words could not describe the power that they possessed and the feelings they inspired. I knew in that second that they were real. My only desire was to be with them, to have the wind rushing by me and to know that I inspired the same feelings of freedom and power in them that I felt.

"Dragons." I whispered the word as though I did not think myself worthy enough to say it. Then, deciding that I liked the way it sounded, I said it louder. "Dragons."

Instantly my eyes shot open. Everything was made shockingly clear in my moments of darkness and light. With new found strength I leapt off the floor of the dirty cage, my eyes trained on the sky. The hobgoblin guards, startled by my quick actions, had their arrows aimed at my heart. Every conscious person around me was staring with a mix of shock and apprehension.

"Dragons are coming!"

I heard hobgoblins scoff as they lowered their bows. Some of the companions looked at me with mild interest, others with sympathy or even disgust, but a few knew that my words held truth. I felt more than saw Tanis and Caramon exchange looks, and I could definitely feel Raistlin's strange eyes pierce me with intrigue. But at that moment nothing seemed more logical or fantastic than dragons appearing.

A few long, intense moments passed. I remained with my head tilted back watching the sky with growing anticipation. I knew dragons were approaching. It was a fact to me more solid than the ground I was standing on. Somewhere in my body or mind I simply felt it and I knew that I was right. And sure enough, once everyone else was secure with the thought that I was going crazy, a hulking black mass appeared above the trees.

The first to break through was a massive black dragon followed by half a dozen dragons in various hues of blue, red, and green. They were all glorious and amazing, but none could match the breathtaking qualities that the first dragon possessed. He glittered exactly the way I had seen him in my mind's eye. His massive wingspan was enough to blot out the sun when he flew past it. Even from where I stood on the ground I could see his brilliant red eyes and feel the majestic, awe-worthy power that he radiated.

Upon seeing the flight, we were all frozen in place. But unlike them, my face did not turn to a scowl nor twist in fright. My mouth dropped open in wonder and I couldn't take my eyes off them. My heart reached out to them and I felt my necklace hum softly against my chest. The sound filled my ears the way the dragons touched my mind. My heart reached out to them.

But all too soon they were gone, disappearing beyond the trees and hidden once more from me. My spirit sagged immediately but I remained standing with one hand on the iron bars. I lowered my eyes and face back to the squalor around me.

"How did you know that?" Raistlin asked harshly between coughs. I swallowed hard but did not answer. In truth I didn't know.

"Alessandra," Tanis cut in sharply, preventing Raistlin from saying anything more. "We're not accusing you of anything, but you knew the dragons were coming. How?"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but was cut off by a sharp bird whistle. Gilthanas was on his feet, all thoughts of dragons forgotten. The next thing I knew arrows were raining down on us. Every body in the cage threw itself to the floor. I was about to join them when an arrow bit through my flesh and buried itself in my forearm. I screamed out in pain and dropped to the floor beside Tika, whose face was probably as pale as my own.

"What's going on!" Tanis demanded of Gilthanas.

"We are being rescued!" Gilthanas stated. "The elves are giving us cover fire."

"Bullshit!" I snarled as I cradled my wounded arm. Unfortunately no one heard me except Tika, but she made no movement and remained staring fearfully at Caramon. I watched in pain as a gully dwarf attempted to break the lock on the cage, but failed. Then I heard the strange old man speak.

"I seem to remember a spell…fireball, excellent spell. Let me think, how did it go?" He rambled on for a moment. Then he appeared to have remembered because he said a few words in a language I couldn't understand (I was beginning to realize that there were a lot of those) and suddenly a fireball exploded in the cage!

Tika and I screamed in fear and grabbed each other as flames went shooting by. Tika (lucky for her) was far enough away from the flames not to be singed. But I was not. Flames engulfed my lower legs, but once more I felt nothing except a warm tingling. However, my clothing didn't deal with fire as aptly as I did because it erupted in flames. I shrieked (more in fear than in pain) and ripped off my cloak and part of my athletic pants. At that moment I really didn't care that I looked completely out of place in modern athletic clothing.

By this time the door was open and we were rushing outside. Caramon helped Tika and me out of the cage, then left Raistlin and Fizban in our charge. Then Tika followed Raistlin to retrieve the companions' belongings and I was left with Fizban.

"Get to the woods!" Caramon yelled at us.

I didn't need to be told twice. I grabbed Fizban's arm and made a mad dash to the forest. After all, fighting and life threatening situations are not my cup of tea. Tika and Raistlin met us halfway. Raistlin shoved my pack into my hands, sparing a curious glare at my attire. Then he began running for the woods again with Tika on his heels. I had reached the conclusion that she was only so close to him because she wanted Caramon's attention and this was the way to do it. So I was, once again, left with Fizban.

We bolted for the woods, me cradling my wounded arm and he rambling on about the lack of respect the younger generation harbored for their elders. I'm sure it came from me pulling on his arm in an attempt to get us to safety. We had nearly reached the woods when Fizban stopped. I jerked to a stop in front of him, completely taken by surprise.

"What are you doing?" I asked desperately. I tried to grab onto his arm again but he wouldn't let me. "We need to get out of here! We'll be killed!"

Fizban's looked changed drastically from a completely befuddled smile to a thoughtful frown. He glanced towards the forest to where the rest of the companions were running inside and seeking shelter. Then he looked back at me and his gaze softened.

"No, my dear, not quite time yet. You'll catch up with them soon enough. I'm so sorry." Then, with an apologetic shrug, Fizban raised his staff and thunked me over the head with it. I stared at him dumbly for a long moment. Just before my eyes closed and I fell to the ground I heard him mutter, "Terribly sorry for the violence, shouldn't have done it…"

My eyelids drooped and I saw him disappear. My legs gave out on me and I fell noisily into several large bushes. The last thing I remember is a searing pain in my forearm.


That chapter was a little shorter, but I thought it was fitting to end it there. And I know that may have been a little uncharacteristic of Fizban, but I have a little bit of artistic license. And, by the way, the next chapter is when I really start to create a story for Alessandra.

Hope you enjoyed it. R&R!