A/N: Hey guys. Thanks for the constant support, I try not to keep you waiting too long for the updates. Here it goes...
Part 41 - At the Inn of Last Home
It was already after sunset when the two hooded figures made their way through Solace. Though Solinari shone brightly in the sky this night, he hid his silver face behind a veil of thick clouds and the night was nearly as dark as if Nuitari ruled the firmament alone. One of the nighttime passers-by was lost in silence, while the other chattered endlessly.
"...and just look at the rooftops. They are cute. So wooden and cozy. Everything in here is so cute. I never thought my hometown was like that. I just wish it was day so I could see everything clearly. How can people live in trees like that? I always thought that only Elves would- oh... sorry Dalamar- but anyway, it looks so strange and everything here smells so nice and I hope we find the inn soon, since I really need a nice warm meal, and a- Hey, watch your step, Sir!"
Not caring where she went, Nima suddenly crashed into a large human male who seemed to have just appeared out of the dark. The stranger mumbled an excuse as well as Nima. She noticed the typical odor of beer surrounding the man. He must have consumed a lot of that stuff and was probably drunk. Which could only mean that he knew where they would find the inn they were looking for.
"Ah... Sir." Nima asked him politely, ignoring Dalamar's expression of dismay at the sight of a drunken human. "Do you happen to know where we can find a tavern called the Inn of Last Home?"
The stranger muttered an answer, the alcohol slurring his speech.
"Th' Inn of Last Home y'say, why tha's my-"
In that moment the cloudcover tore open and silver moonlight slid over the three men in the alley. The sight of Nima's face induced a very astonishing reaction from the stranger. His eyes widened and he blinked flabbergasted as if he had seen a ghost. He grabbed for his heart.
"Raistlin?" he whispered unbelievingly before he fell to the ground, unconscious.
Nima could only stare open mouthed.
"I didn't do it!" she cried eventually.
Though it was already late, the Inn of Last Home was filled with customers tonight. It was only three days until the annual summer fair, a small version of the harvest fair. Traders of the region would come and sell their wares, and there were rumors about a group of jugglers coming to the fair. For the tavern owners this was a time of hard work and great profit. All of the inns were already nearly booked for several days in advance.
Tika Waylan Majere sighed. She drew beer after beer and suppressed a yawn. She had been busy all the day and only wanted to fall into her bed. From time to time she glanced nervously at the door. She hadn't seen her husband since the morning when he had left to run his questionable "errands". Where was he and would he even come home his night? Her question was answered sooner than she had expected when the door opened and revealed Caramon's large stature. But in what condition he was in. He was barely able to keep himself erect and if it weren't for two strangers supporting him, she doubted he would have made it up here. The two men who accompanied her husband wore dark cloaks hiding their faces and their equipment. However, one of them carried a mage's staff on his back. Something about that object was familiar but she couldn't get a good glimpse of it, since the two men were engaged in placing Caramon on the next bench. Hastily, Tika left her place behind the counter to approach the strangers and thank them for their help. She would have a word with Caramon later. The other customers had already begun to stare and the situation was embarrassing enough.
However, Tika stopped cold when one of the men, made a gesture as if to wipe of sweat from his forehead and in the process lowered his hood. White hair framing a golden face. The firelight reflected by amber and dark hourglasses. Finally Tika recognized the staff and it's owner.
Raistlin turned to the other man that had arrived with him.
"Boy, that was exhausting, that guy weighs a lot!" he exclaimed rather loudly, causing the patrons at the next tables to look at him. Then he bent down to Caramon.
"Hey, man are you all right?"
That was the moment when Tika moved again. Only second later she stood right in front of Raistlin facing him, hand in her hips.
"What do you want here?" she hissed. "I can't believe you even dare to come here after all you did!"
Raistlin's expression lacked understanding.
"Err... Lady, there was no sign outside forbidding people to come in. Not that I would particular care about such signs, it usually just means that people want company but don't know how to get some. And by the way, why should people not go to an Inn?" he chattered innocently. Which was, of course, disturbing. The mere idea of Raistlin conversing about such a topic was highly absurd. Tika asked herself frantically what underlying purpose Raistlin might have to appear now and in such a manner. Most astoundingly, Raistlin hadn't stopped talking yet.
"You see, we met this man outside and he suddenly wasn't feeling well and we decided we'd better bring him home and-" he began a confused explanation but Tika interrupted him before he could go further. Anger rose within her and quickly superseded Tika's fear of his powers. Of course Caramon was not feeling well, and most of it was Raistlin's fault! He must have been fully aware how his cruel letter would affect his twin, she was sure of it! How could he dare to show up now and pretend that all this didn't involve him?
"Home? YOU decided to bring him home? What sick joke of yours is this, Raistlin? Does it make you happy to torment my husband?" she cried.
Raistlin looked utterly astonished.
"Excuse me Lady, do we know each other?"
That was too much. The sorrow and distress of the last months culminated when Tika's frustration finally had found a target. Archmage or not, nobody made fun of Tika Waylan-Majere in such an arrogant fashion! The customers who had this night chosen to attend the Inn of Last Home knew their money was well invested, when they suddenly watched the spirited, temperamental young owner slap the white haired newcomer into the face. The sound of Tika's flat hand against the man's right cheek could be heard all over the suddenly very silent common room. Every pair of eyes in the room focused on Tika and the stranger. No word was said. Tika looked at her hand as if she couldn't believe what she had just done. The white haired man obviously fumed. He turned around violently addressing the other person who accompanied him. So far the second stranger had watched everything silently, a quiet shadow in the corner.
"She slapped me! Dalamar, fireball her!"
The archmagus' tone reminded Tika of a young child having a temper tantrum. The other man had not discarded his hood, his face was still hidden behind it and he didn't move an inch, but his calm, sonorous voice held a mark of resentment when he answered.
"I'm your apprentice, not your 'spell-casting slave', Shalafi."
"Awww!"
His comrade clenched his fists in frustration. He turned around to Tika again.
"Lady, you are so lucky," he said angry. "that I can't spellcast right now! Is this a proper way to treat people? I found your drunkard of a husband on the street and I decided to bring him up here and I wanted to help and all I get from you is a slap! What strange habits you have in this city!"
He had become louder with each word. Tika responded equally loud.
"WE have strange habits? That coming out of YOUR mouth is the joke of the year!"
"LADY! BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY!"
"OR WHAT? WILL YOU THREATEN TO DESTROY ME? YOU ALREADY DESTROYED OUR LIFE!"
"YOU ARE A VERY SICK GIRL-"
At that second both quarreling parties felt a strong hand on their wrist. Unnoticed by them, Caramon had suddenly uplifted himself and grabbed their arms.
"Tika? Raistlin? What is going on?" he asked slowly.
That was the moment when tears welled up in the young woman's eyes and she began to cry heartbreakingly.
"Looks like we chose a very unfavorable moment to introduce ourselves in Solace, Shalafi." Dalamar whispered into his master's ear, while a dumbfounded Caramon consoled a crying Tika.
"I don't speak to you, traitor." Raistlin hissed sullenly.
Dalamar raised an eyebrow. After 'the incident' he hadn't seen Raistlin showing any sign of negative emotion or aggressiveness. But since his sudden fever, his Shalafi's moods had gradually become more and more erratic until Dalamar had finally decided to shorten their trip and teleport them to Solace. The elf was not sure whether this new change of behavior was for better or worse. Probably worse, because it made his master even more unpredictable. He was cheerful and charming most of the time but when he felt neglected or provoked, he developed a tendency to go up the wall. Just like now. So far he only flipped out verbally but who could say how long it would stay this way? If he had truly wanted Dalamar to harm the woman... it was as if Raistlin was slowly falling back into his former personality but without his iron self control keeping his emotions in check. Krynn could only be thankful that he hadn't remembered his spells yet.
It was time to end that embarrassing scene and come to a conclusion. The woman was obviously at the end of her nerves, the man was helplessly drunk and his master was about to make things even worse. As usual. Since nobody else appeared to take the matter into his hands, it was up to Dalamar to handle the situation. He sighed inwardly. If he had known where this apprenticeship would lead him, he was not sure if he would have taken the assignment. Dalamar simply discarded his cape, revealing not only his Elven nature but also his black robe. Some people hissed, appalled. Dalamar stepped right between the tables and cast a warning glance in all directions, while a cynical smile crossed his face.
"Dear guests of this house." he said politely, "my master and I would prefer it, if you could take your leave right now... I assure you, we would really appreciate that."
The last sentence was accompanied by a flame appearing casually in his hand.
To be continued...
A/N: You know that scene don't you? I remember somewhere in the first chapters, I promised this event. Anime fans can also add multiple frying pans to the "action scene" in their imagination. ;) Dally and I certainly did!