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Crepuscule	By : Skullbearer Category: A through F > Dragonlance Views: 2832 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the book(s) that this fanfiction is written for, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
I own nothing but my annotated copy of DoAT- covered in my scrawlings, the fountain pen responsible for said scrawlings, and my little lord Soth bookmark.
Crepuscule
Chapter 11- Of Trust
I'm alive with something inside of me...
Northern Soul, The Verve
As much as Flint hated gully dwarves, Raistlin knew that even he couldn't deny that Bupu knew her way around the wrecked city. From their vantage point, the companions could see across the whole of the ruins, and the little gully dwarf was happy to point out the house that belonged to the Highbulp, her clan leader.
With the majority of the draconians all rushing around upstairs, oblivious to the fact that they were now in the city proper, all that remained was to climb down to the cavern floor using the vines that clung to the edge of the cliff.
Raistlin wasn't looking forward to it. True, he didn't have to climb, the Staff of Magius took care of that, but it was going to be a lot colder and -judging by the number of waterfalls- wetter down there.
Dalamar smiled at him, bending down to slid himself over the precipice. "See you at the bottom."
The young mage nodded, then sent a reassuring smile to the gully dwarf beside him before turning to the edge of the cliff, whispering /"Pveathrfall"/ and jumping.
Bupu's shriek of panic followed him on his way down, as did a muffled curse from Dalamar, whose robes had snagged on the vines.
The descent was just as unpleasant as Raistlin feared it would be; the spray from the nearby waterfalls soaked through his robes and the cold numbed his hands, making his grip on the staff treacherous. The thunder of the waterfalls was deafening. By the time he reached the base of the cliff, he was soaked through and shivering, and was forced to hang onto the vine trunks against the force of the cough that shook him.
The creaking of the vines alerted him that someone else had made it down, and a cloak was thrown over his shoulders. Raistlin wiped his mouth and sighed, reaching up to remove the garment and give it back to the stubborn Dark elf.
Dalamar's hands pressed down on his shoulders. "If you think you can face a dragon while ill, then by all means give me my cloak back. Since you can't, then by the Gods keep it on, you're sick enough as it is." The hands released their pressure on his shoulders and reached down to rub his back, soothing the pain the young mage's chest.
Raistlin drew in a relatively painless breath, then let it out. Seeing the human about to argue, the elven wizard continued, "I will be perfectly fine, and we wouldn't want you to greet your welcoming committee like this now, would we?"
Welcoming committee? Oh. A band of those gully dwarves he'd charmed earlier were standing around, staring at him and grinning.
A second splash announced the arrival of Tanis, followed closely by Bupu, the gully dwarf scrutinising the young Red Robe closely to make sure he wasn't hurt.
"Great Plaza that way." Bupu pointed west. "Come. You follow. Go see Highbulp."
She started off, only to be dragged back by Tanis, who attempted to interrogate her about the dragon. He gave up after half a minute when it became obvious that the gully dwarf didn't understand.
Bupu grabbed Raistlin's hand, looking at him with not entirely misplaced sympathy for having to put up with these people before setting off again, the other gully dwarves trotting after them.
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The group that reached the great plaza was very bedraggled, but unhurt. They hadn't seen so much as a single draconian and Raistlin supposed they were still searching the upper levels. All the better, although it would make getting out a problem. He knew better than to suppose they could climb back up the pipe that that brought them down. He was also secretly glad of the cloak Dalamar had lent him, although he would bite his tongue out before he told the Dark elf that. It was very cold down here and most of the city had been flooded, standing in up to six inches of water.
The so-called 'Great Plaza' was no exception, the waters forming a small whirlpool. However, the anticipated wade was not the reason why they stopped at the edge of the plaza. Crossing a hundred feet of open ground was though. The plaza was completely uncovered and Bupu clearly meant to lead them straight across. Admittedly, she had yet to lead them wrong, but what might be safe for an easily ignored gully dwarf may very well not be safe for them.
His suspicions proved correct when the Aghar suddenly came running back to hide behind the young mage. Raistlin felt the staff he held burn in warning and flattened himself against a doorway, dragging Dalamar after him.
On the other side of the plaza was a huge building, the Royal Palace of Xak Tsaroth, but what came stalking out of it was no human.
The Red Robe forced down the fear as the dragon slipped out of the ruined palace. It was nowhere near as strong as during the attack on the well, and he was able to ignore the sickening twist inside him.
He glanced over at the rest of the group, hoping they had the sense to find cover. Mercifully, they had, creeping into the shadows of houses or back the way they had come. Pleased that they had that much sense at least, the young mage turned to look at the Silvanesti.
The Dark elf was pale, understandable since the dragon was now coming towards them, but he caught Raistlin's eyes and forced a smile, putting a finger to his lips for silence and pulling the young mage back further into the shadows as the dragon approached.
It wasn't alone, Raistlin could see that now. Besides it was a draconian, both conversing in their guttural language. Although the words meant nothing to the human wizard, the fear in the draconian's voice and the reverent way it fell to its knees when the discussion was finished was unmistakable. As soon as the dragon had stalked back to the palace, he turned to Dalamar.
"The draconians show a lot of respect to that dragon."
The dark robed mage smiled grimly. "When your leader has a choice on ten different ways of killing you, that tends to command respect! But you're right. Yesterday at the draconian camp, the creatures were all but worshiping that wicker dragon. When it went up in flames they panicked completely."
The human nodded. "Since I wasn't in any state to observe, I'll take your word for it."
A flicker of remembered pain crossed Dalamar's face, and the hand on Raistlin's shoulder tightened briefly.
As soon as the draconian left, joining a group of its fellows and strolling away with a lot more confidence that it had previously shown, the companions slipped out of their various hiding places, followed by a throng of gully dwarves.
"They're not worried, are they?" Sturm said glumly, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at where the draconians had vanished.
Tanis shook his head. "They think they've got us."
The knight snorted, "Let's face it, Tanis. They're right, this plan we've been discussing has one major flaw. If we sneak in without the dragon knowing, and /if/ we get the disks -we still have to get out of this godforsaken place with draconians crawling all over the upper levels."
Tanis scowled. "I asked you before and I'll ask you now, have you a better plan?"
"I've got a better plan," Caramon announced. Raistlin stifled a groan. "No disrespect, Tanis, but be all know how most elves think about fighting." The emphasis on 'most elves’ told them exactly who the exception was. "That palace is obviously where the dragon lives. Lets lure it out as we planned, only this time we'll fight it, not creep around its lair like thieves. When the dragon's dead, we can take the disks."
The two mages had been silent, aloof from the bickering, but as this point, they felt obliged to step in.
"Fight the dragon," Dalamar sneered. "A marvellous battle like that by the well, perhaps?"
"What do you know of dragons?" Raistlin hissed, voice catching on the prelude to another coughing fit. "We have seen the effects of its deadly breath by the well. To attack it would be another disaster-" he broke off, overcome by the promised spasm. Mercifully, it was a brief one, so he wiped the blood from his mouth and continued, "Maybe you could defend yourselves against that, and against the sharp claws and teeth, and perhaps even the blows from the tail, which could crush your shield like a twig. But what about her magic?"
Magic perhaps learnt from Fistandantilus' spellbook, he silently added.
"You saw her cast by the well. She could charm you even more thoroughly than I have charmed my little friends and make you walk off the cliff we just came down, or perhaps put you to sleep and murder you while you dreamed."
This little speech was enough to turn Caramon off the idea, but Sturm was harder to convince. "We have much lore on dragons in Solamnia."
Dalamar rolled his eyes and leant forward, speaking softly, "I suggest we leave here now. These idiots intend to fight the dragon, and I for one do not want to end up like the Plainsman." The Dark elf gave a twisted smile and turned to the rest of the group. "Fight the dragon if you so want to, we'll sneak in while you're at it and take the disks," he sneered." I just hope you can survive long enough to give us time to do so-"
"Stop this!" Goldmoon interrupted, standing between the snarling Silvanesti and the murderous scowls of the rest of the group. "The dragon's gone, so let's go and see this Highbulp. Hopefully, it won't come to a fight."
Sturm's expression did not fade. "It seems we have no choice. We do not face the enemy, we hide behind gully dwarves! Sooner or later a time will come when we face these monsters!"
"When it comes to that," Dalamar couldn't help but antagonise the knight, "what do you think you're there for?"
The Solamnic didn't answer, staring back with narrowed eyes and clearly entertaining an image involving his hands and the Dark elf's throat before storming away.
Raistlin shook his head and sighed. "Dalamar, I hate him as much as you do, but I for one don't want any more enemies, we seem to have a surplus here alone."
The dark robed elf stared after the knight. "Don't you understand? He already is an enemy. Haven't you seen the way he looks at us? You said it yourself, he would have us dead."
The young mage sighed again, but didn't argue.
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Bupu led them down to what had once been the Xak Tsaroth slums, a place overrun by gully dwarves where the buildings were held together solely by filth and luck. At the first sight of the companions, the inhabitants started to whoop loudly, the noise making Raistlin stiffen and glance around to see if anyone had heard the din. Mercifully, either the draconians never ventured near their slaves' dwellings or such noise was common enough not to cause interest.
The Highbulp appeared to live in the worst building of the lot. It stood at a crazy angle, tottering over the group as if it was about to collapse.
Oddly, Bupu didn't lead them to the front door, instead ducking around the building and into a dead-end alley.
Sturm glanced at the brick wall that blocked their progress and back at the gully dwarves who had piled in after them and drew his sword. "Ambush!" Caramon followed suit.
The gully dwarves, like all trained cowards, ran away.
Raistlin looked at the two men in disgust. Their actions summed up precisely everything he hated about them. Bupu tugged on his robes, demanding that he make the knight and warrior stop.
"Put your swords away, you fools," he snarled. "Unless you think you've found a foe worthy of your attention."
The look Sturm turned on him was precisely the one he had turned on Dalamar, and the young mage couldn't deny the Dark elf's words. The Solamnic wanted them both dead. "I wish I knew what your game is," he hissed, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. "You were so eager to come to this city, even before we knew about the disks. Why? What are you after?"
For once, the elven wizard didn't speak, his expression puzzled. He too wanted to know why his lover was so eager to come here. Raistlin felt the familiar stab of guilt about keeping things hidden from the Dark elf, but said nothing. Dalamar was better off not knowing.
Instead, Caramon came to his brother's defence. "Sturm, I told you I trust my brother, leave him alone."
The Solamnic glowered at the big warrior, but Raistlin didn't wait to hear what the knight said. Instead, he turned to Bupu. "They will not trouble you further, little one."
He didn't look at the Silvanesti. He knew the Dark elf was curious about his attitude towards the gully dwarf. The young mage shook his head sadly; he would never understand.
It took the better part of five minutes to get inside the secret door hidden behind the wall, mostly due to the password being three knock and the gully dwarves being only able to count up to two. They were only let in after Bupu threatened to knock on the doorkeeper's skull.
After reassuring the gully dwarves inside that no, they were not giants and no, they were not here to hurt them, the companions were shown into a filthy antechamber, which was proudly announced as the 'Waiting Room'.
Gingerly, they sat down on the rubbish-strewn floor, the stench making Raistlin wrinkle his nose in distaste.
"Right," Tanis started, when they were all as comfortable as they could get. "What's the plan? This Highbulp will be able to show how to get to the dragon's lair?"
Bupu looked the half-elf suspiciously, but nodded.
"We're going to need someone to go to the plaza first and make some kind of diversion, maybe attack someone, knock something over, make some kind of commotion to get the attention of the dragon and any guards that might be in the palace," he continued. "Then, the rest of us will come in and look for the disks.
Everyone nodded, and Tanis sighed, "The question is, who?"
There was a moment's silence, then Raistlin spoke up, "I will."
"No!" Sturm snarled.
The young mage met the knight's eyes. "And why not? I can use my magic to both get the dragon's attention and to escape, whereas you, knight, will probably forget all about anyone else and attack the beast."
The moustached human scowled, but Dalamar spoke up before he could retort, "I am coming with you."
The Red Robe looked at the Dark elf. "You are not," he said firmly. "This is dangerous enough for one person. If I have anyone with me we will be twice as conspicuous."
"Then let me go in you place," Dalamar answered. "Raistlin, you've not been in the best of health-"
"I've never been in the best of health," the human mage snapped. "I will drink my tea before I leave and it will be enough, beside-" he hesitated.
"Besides what?" the elven mage demanded.
The young wizard closed his eyes. The Dark elf was not going to like hearing this, but it had to be said. "Dalamar, I have taken the Test, my knowledge of magic /is/ greater than yours. If I go in then we have a greater chance of success than if you do. I'm sorry."
The Silvanesti looked as though his lover had hit him, but was unable to refute his words. Whatever he was going to say was lost when a gully dwarf came to tell them that the Highbulp would see them now.
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The throne room look like... well, it looked like a treasury that had fallen in the hands of gully dwarves! There was no other way to describe the sheer gilded chaos that confronted them on entering. The individual treasures would have been pleasing if they hadn't been not only crammed in a small space, but also scribbled on by their owners. Even as they entered, Raistlin noticed a gully dwarf decorating a graceful statue of an elven maiden with a handlebar moustache that put Sturm's to shame.
Tasslehoff actually had to duck out of the room when his giggles became uncontrollable.
Luckily, the Highbulp proved to be more intelligent than his subjects, although he appeared disappointed when the explained that the only wanted to go in and take an item of religious import.
"You here," The Highbulp argued. "You got swords. Kill dragon."
It was only after they had offered to bring the Highbulp someone the dragon's 'pretty rocks', that he agreed to give them what they wanted, a map to the dragon's lair.
It was a relief to get back to the anteroom; as dirty as it was it was better than the sensory onslaught the throne room offered. Caramon unpacked some food and Raistlin shook his head, wondering how anyone could eat in this place. Instead, he kicked the rubbish away, clearing a relatively clean space, and lay down, his head in Dalamar's lap. He was growing tired and wanted to be at his most attentive when facing the dragon.
One thought was wearing at him: the spellbook. He didn't think he would be able to create a diversion and find time to duck inside the palace to locate Fistandantilus' spellbook at the same time. He could ask the Silvanesti to find it, he supposed; he would have to tell the Dark elf about it sooner or later, and if he presented it simply as a powerful tome his lover might refrain from asking too many questions. But no, it was far too dangerous; he certainly didn't want Dalamar risking his life if he could help it, even for the spellbook. What he needed was someone who would do what he wanted, not ask questions, and who was expendable.
Raistlin smiled. That was /easy/.
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He must have fallen asleep at that point, because the next thing he remembered was the noise the door made when it banged open.
Dalamar looked down at him, then leant forward and whispered softly, "Thank the Gods you're awake, I've been forced to listen to the Plainsmen's moping for the last half-hour."
A gully dwarf scurried in, giving Tanis a crumpled piece of paper before scuttling out again.
The Dark elf looked at the paper and groaned. Flint snorted, and even Tanis laughed ruefully. The 'map' was a scribbled line between a 'secret room' and 'big dragon'.
Raistlin smiled, reaching inside his pocket to touch the 'pretty rock' Bupu had given him. The Highbulp wasn't the only one to know how to get to the dragon. He turned to his little friend.
The gully dwarf looked back defiantly. "You right. I know. I know secret place. I go there, find pretty rocks. But don't tell Highbulp!"
"Will you tell us?" Tanis asked.
Bupu looked Raistlin, who nodded.
"I tell," she sighed. "Give map."
The Red Robe, seeing everyone engrossed in the map, turned to his twin. "Does the plan hold?"
Caramon nodded unhappily. "I should come with you."
Hook, line and sinker. "Nonsense, you would only be in my way. I will be in no danger, I assure you. Besides," Raistlin looked around, then sidled closer to his brother, "there is something you must do for me, something I cannot entrust to anyone else."
As he'd expected, those golden words worked wonders. The big warrior drew himself up. "What can I do?"
"There is a spellbook in the dragon's lair, a powerful one. I have no doubt the dragon is using it."
"And you want me to get it for you." Caramon nodded. "What does it look like?"
Lamb to the slaughter, the young mage was amazed how easily this was working. "Like my spellbook, with bone-white parchment bound in night-blue leather. It has silver runes on the front and feels deathly cold to the touch."
"What do the runes say?"
Raistlin shrugged. "It matters not." At least, not to you. "Just find the book. I can trust no one else to do so." There, perfect with the final flattery at the end to stave off any questions.
Caramon nodded eagerly. "Sure Raist."
The wizard hid his grimace. Still, if the oaf could get him the spellbook, he would put up with a hundred uses of his childhood nickname.
"What was that about?" Damn. Dalamar.
Raistlin hesitated, then admitted defeat. It was foolish to think he could hide the spellbook from the Dark elf.
But it seemed as though his lover already knew. He had probably overheard Raistlin's conversation. Damn his keen ears.
"Why did you hide this from me, Raistlin?" The Silvanesti seemed more sad than angry, which made everything somehow worse. "Did you want that spellbook for yourself? I would have thought-"
"No," Raistlin interrupted. "It was nothing like that, Dalamar. Do not ask me questions you know I cannot answer."
The elven mage rubbed his forehead. "How can you expect me to trust you when you persist in keeping things from me?"
The human didn't answer, he couldn't. Somehow, Dalamar's sorrow was a hundred times worse than his anger. He leant his head on the Dark elf's shoulder and slid his arms around his waist. His lover sighed, then hugged him back.
"Just trust me," the Red Robe whispered.
Dalamar snorted, "You know the answer to that, Raistlin Majere."
The young mage smiled sadly, and kissed the Dark elf. Dalamar's hands came up to cup his face as he did so, and for long moments, they just held each other.
Tanis cleared his throat loudly, interrupting. "/If/ you've quite finished, we're ready to go. We'll give you a five hundred count, then we'll start. The 'secret room’ is a trap door located in a building not far from here, according to your little friend. It leads beneath the city to a tunnel that comes up under the dragon's lair, near where we saw her today. Create your diversion in the plaza, then come back here. We'll meet here, give the Highbulp his treasure, and lie low until night. When it's dark, we'll escape."
"I understand," Raistlin said absently, pulling away from Dalamar and mulling over the Dark elf's words.
"We go now?" Bupu spoke up.
Tanis nodded. "We go now."
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The street was empty, worryingly empty. But there was no time to turn back. Bupu glanced around, shrugged, and trotted on beside the human wizard. "Who he?"
"What?" Raistlin's mind was still on Dalamar's words. Still, after so long, the Silvanesti found it hard to trust him. The young mage understood his disappointment about the secrets he was keeping, but still. After so long-
"Who he? Dark elf."
Despite the situation, Raistlin had to fight back a smile, wondering how he was supposed to explain. Finally, he decided simplicity was best. "A friend."
"Good friend?" Bupu looked worried.
"Very good friend."
The gully dwarf looked relieved. "He not hurt you?"
"Never."
Bupu nodded, looking satisfied, and Raistlin lifted a hand to hide his amusement. "This way Great Plaza." She tugged on his hand.
The further they walked, the more nervous the wizard became; the whole situation stank of trap. Even Bupu was subdued, hanging onto his red robes as the approached the central plaza.
By the time they had arrived, Raistlin knew this was a huge mistake. He was just about to turn and run when something cracked into the back of his skull.
The young mage collapsed.

Skull Bearer.
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