Thanks to all readers who take the time to leave a little comment. Also those not mentioned in my ramblings below. You people are lovable and make Petalwing very very happy!

Ahn-Li: Raistlin? Holiday? Yeah, and next time someone says he's a woman... um... well... ok... Maybe afterwards Raistlin writes his memoirs: "The Mage and the Morons" Raistlin: "Actually it felt like being transported back in time. Back to the good old days of boy-scout camps. My brother used to love it. Guess what, I hated it! They just didn't give me time to read!"

kinryuu: You got me on this one. I had some trouble to portray Raistlin during these first chapters and writing them came not as easy to me as usual. Halfway through the scene in this chapter I muttered about the sucker who invented this freaking plot. dough However I think, Raistlin will act more in character in the end of this story arc and later on. I just needed time to write me into the right "mood". Does that make sense to anybody? Anyway, you'll probably criticize that Raistlin doesn't even try to behave like a kender. But at least this will be explained later on.

Guan: Maybe you are right. But I really don't claim that I am correct about the "kender" thing. I was just confused with two options. My own feeling didn't help me much. I finally decided to put one in here and doing that consequently. That's all. If anybody feels really offended by that, in that case I would be sorry, but well... At least they'd have to write me a review. LOL Oh and, regarding the last chapter title: That was supposed to be a little ironic... ok... it was probably not one of the best jokes I ever had... Petalwing blushes and tiptoes away leaving a new chapter behind

Part 12 - Fortune Telling and Other Secrets

The newcomer was probably around eighteen years old. She had raven black hair which hung over her shoulders in two long braids. Her skin was of a darker taint showing her gypsy heritage. As well as the simple yellow dress that clothed her slender form. Tiny golden bracelets spangled her neck and arms. She moved with the grace of youth. A youth that didn't wither instantly for a change. It was irritating and strangely relieving for one who was used to constantly watch time's grip devouring every living creature. Raistlin sat back again on the bed. He crossed his arms and regarded the girl, a surly expression on his face.

"What do you want?"

"Are you better, Nima? Your mom said you wanted to sleep a little but I just saw Knoblar running from the wagon, so I suspected you would be awake by now."

Raistlin guessed that he had just heard the name of the impertinent gnome. However, he didn't react but waited silently for the gypsy to tell what she wanted or to go away.

"I'll take your silence for affirmation, cutie." the girl said after a while and seated herself on a tiny chair next to his bed.

"Sometimes I just don't know." she began in a conspirative tone. Raistlin forebode the direction this talk was taking and it didn't please him in the least.

"You know, I asked the cards today. Mommy says I have to try harder to evoke my talent. So I took the chance and asked the cards what had happened to you and me with the necklace."

Raistlin raised an eyebrow. Did the girl speak about foretelling the future by laying cards? He knew that some gypsies claimed to know this art. Didn't they have a special set of cards which were known as Tarokka? He had never believed in this kind of augury. True seers didn't need such tools. This "art" was just for fooling the gullible. But at least that topic was better then what he had feared at first - a conversation about love affairs.

"And?" he asked casually interested.

"During the session I ended up with some strange cards. And I'm not entirely sure what they could mean."

Raistlin snickered to himself. Wasn't that always the problem with fortune telling?

"So?"

The girl made a mysterious gesture while leaning forward. She spoke in hushed tones by know.

"I found the Tower positioned in the center."

"And?"

At the same time, the wizard pondered at least ten possibilities how to spend his time in more expedient ways. Was this conversation leading to any point? Instead of answering the gypsy turned to herself and drew some cards from between the several layers of skirts she wore.

"Here."

She shoved the card in his face. The picture showed a dark tower struck by a lightning. A figure fell from each side. A man to the right and a woman to the left.

"The tower symbolizes a violent change of condition. It normally only appears when a life is about to change essentially. Mostly in a very confusing chaotic way. A situation takes over and carries you away."

"Aha." He didn't spend too much attention at her explanation. He only participated in the conversation because he hoped to extract some useful hints on the recent state of affairs in this camp or whatever it was.

"And then I saw the Magician." Nervously she handed him another card revealing a wizard at his work table. "And the Knight of Swords. He stands for a man of darkness and cunning. Do you know what that means? Two of the greater Arcana and a person's card?"

She was excited by now and didn't even wait for Raistlin to react.

"That means something tremendous is about to happen. And a wizard will have to do with it. But still, I cannot work out the full meaning. Who could that be? There are no wizards with the show. I mean besides Hrongar and he doesn't count. He is no true wizard."

"A wizard." Raistlin repeated. Her last statement had attracted his attention. So there was a magic user here. Could this person be blamed for what had happened to him? He had to find out more.

"What do you mean, no true wizard?"

The gypsy girl gave him an irritated glance.

"You know Hrongar. He is neither dark nor cunning. He gave up his profession as a wizard and became an alchemist."

That was interesting. Which wizard would quit being a wizard for the position of an alchemist among superstitious gypsies? Maybe someone who wanted to hide from the conclave? How interesting...

The girl went on.

"I think that means that we will meet a powerful wizard very soon. Somebody who may affect our fate. I pray to Mishakal he will be young and handsome. And I want to be prepared, just in case. And since you fancy wizards so much, Nima, you must tell me everything you know about them."

Raistlin closed his eyes wearily. He felt a big headache coming. Spontaneously he altered his theory. This was no gypsy camp and he had not been transported. He had probably just died while casting the spell and gone to the Abyss. And this was the damned gods' way of punishing him for his sins!