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Nocturnale	By : Skullbearer Category: A through F > Dragonlance Views: 1934 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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
- 15
- 16
Myar: Fistandantilus is the ultimate bad guy. He had no scruples whatsoever. Raistlin and Dalamar might be 'Dark' but they're nowhere near this guy. Unfortunately for all involved, he's only just getting into his stride.
ksha2222: Um, yes, sorry about that. It was their fault -points at X-men comics-
Ceretis Paribus: Wait no longer.
Fading Echo: I just don't like any of the 'good guys' very much, least of all Tanis. And yes, poor Dalamar.
Dracoqueen22: I hope you liked my re-written chapter better.
And a special thank you to Berylia-Crystalia who's writing a ton of reviews for Ivory and Ebony. Thank you so very much, it really makes my day when people take the time to review my old chapters.
Skyehawke:
Luni: Thank you so much! It's so rare that people take the time to review on this site, and yours made my day. Hope you like this.
Livejournal:
shadowvalkyrie: -very, very/very/ evil laugh-
jehz: As I've said, I hope you enjoyed the new version better.
analiathe1st: As always, a thousand thanks for the beta. It was very helpful, and I like the chapter a lot more because of it.
I know, I've been dreadful at updates. But hopefully things will sort themselves out. This was a very hard chapter to write, not because I found it difficult, but because I didn't want to write it. Still, it's finished, and I know where I'm going from here.
Nocturnale
Chapter Fifteen: To Break
Brain fried tonight through misuse
Through misuse, through misuse
You can't avoid static abuse
Abuse, abuse
-The Automatic Monster
It took a long time for the night to end, and even longer for true dawn to start. The gale had blown itself out at last, which was something of a relief, even though it mean swapping the endless wind for equally endless rain, but while a ship couldn't sail through a gale, it could through rain. The silent hours had only reinforced Raistlin's certainty that they had to leave. The low clouds seemed to press down on them, a weight that threatened to crush them if they didn't escape.
The crash and rattle of footsteps jolted him out of his half-dreaming reverie, Raistlin blinked and rubbed his itching eyes, looking over at the staircase. Caramon came down first, still dressed in the dragon armour and with the worn stairs creaking complaint under the combined weight. "-seas will be running high-" He broke off, looking at the two mages in surprise. "Were you down here all night?"
Raistlin sent him a withering look. He had never had much patience with his brother at the best of times- which this certainly wasn't- but quite frankly, if after they left he never saw Caramon again, he wouldn't care. And if afterwards Kitiara discovered where Tanis was, and came after them and yes, killed them all, he would shed no tears. He just hoped he and Dalamar were far away when that inevitably happened.
Tika followed Caramon down, and the look she sent Raistlin put his own scowl to shame, "Don't bother with them, Caramon." She sighed, "Maybe we shouldn't risk going out-"
"We're going. Today." Tanis said flatly, appearing from the shadows of the stairway. "If we have to swim, we're leaving Flotsam."
Raistlin didn't know whether to snort in amusement or scowl. Tanis really chose a wonderful time to come to his senses. He wondered if Half-human would tell them the truth this time, the reason why they had to leave in such a hurry.
Apparently not. "I'm sorry, I know I sound arbitrary, but there are dangers I know about that I can't explain right now-" Raistlin could almost have laughed, that made two of them- "There isn't time. All I can tell you is this; we have never in our lives been in more danger than we are at the moment in this town. We have to leave and we have to leave now!" Tanis was almost hysterical by the end.
The silence was complete, broken only by the monotonous rain lashing the oilcloth windows. The others looked confused and disturbed, and it was all Raistlin could do not to accuse Half-elven of what he was hiding from them.
For him, who couldn't tell his secret no matter how much he wished to, to watch Tanis keep his for no other reason than his own vanity was sickening. Raistlin looked at Dalamar, the Dark elf's face was completely expressionless, even though Tanis was very carefully not looking at either of them. The human mage doubted the others could read anything of the elf's thoughts behind the steel of his face, but Raistlin could pick out the faint lines of a frown, and the way his lips were thinner than usual. He was worried.
"-Sure Tanis"
"-We're all packed-"
Dalamar caught his eyes, and lifted an eyebrow 'now what?' Raistlin gave a slight shrug, he didn't know either.
"-Let's go then"
"-I've got to get my things"
"-Go on, be quick-
Raistlin inclined his head slightly towards the door, should they go anyway?
Dalamar's lip curled, what else could they do?
Raistlin sighed. Indeed. They had to get to Palanthas as quickly as possible. The human mage had thought about using the Dragon Orb to teleport them there. He knew how to do it, but the thought of using that artefact was disturbing in a way he couldn't describe even to himself. Besides, he had a feeling Dalamar would be completely against using it for anything but a life-or-death situation, not after what had happened last night.

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The rain was every bit as unpleasant as Raistlin had feared, despite the thick, waterproofed cloak his kept pulled close around him. It was warmer though, the wind blowing from the north rather than the south, and his cough left him alone,even without having taken his tea that morning.
A troop walked past them, the rain was too thick to tell is they were draconians or not, and Raistlin took comfort that if they couldn't see them clearly, then the creatures could not identify them either. Also, if there were troops out then hopefully Kitiara was still looking for Tanis, and wasn't already waiting for them at the Perechon.
Raistlin stumbled, his boots slipping on the slick wood of the docks. Dalamar caught his arm and steadied him. Raistlin smiled gratefully and the Dark elf returned it, but didn't remove his hand, squeezing softly. Raistlin paused, and covered the elf's hand with his own. Trust. How strange that Dalamar should learn to trust him at a time when Raistlin didn't trust himself.
The Dark elf turned his hand over, entangling their fingers and tugging at Raistlin's. They were being left behind.
The human mage nodded and picked up his pace. Dalamar didn't release his hand, instead holding on a little tighter.
Raistlin smiled, and he hadn't seen the ship, he would have reached up and kissed Dalamar. But after several bad experiences with sailors and their superstitions, they had better not risk it before they actually on board. He had lost count of number of times they had lost time and money to sailors who believed that Dark elves, mages or men who liked men were bad luck to have on board.
Hopefully, these pirates wouldn't be as fussy.
By what Raistlin could see when they climbed the gangplank, the Perechon was much as Dalamar had described it, and Raistlin even more convinced that short of risking the Dragon Orb, this was the fastest way out of Flotsam.
There were few crew members out on deck, mostly ones occupied with locking down the hatches against the downpour. They looked up in surprise as the group climbed up the gangway, and became agitated when they came close enough to recognise Tanis and Caramon's armour. One of them called down a hatch for a 'Koraf'.
Raistlin shivered. His cloak was thickly oiled, but the rain was getting heavier by the moment. The water dripped off the hood and drenched his face, and a cold fist clenched at his lungs. He wondered if they might be able to meet this 'Koraf' somewhere out of the rain.
Koraf turned out to be a massive, black furred minotaur. If the situation hadn't been so distracting, Raistlin would have been intrigued. He and Dalamar had only seen minotaurs a handful of times, and those usually from a distance.
The minotaur listened to Tanis' words in silence, then marched over to what must be the captain's cabin and banged on the door, bellowing that the passengers were here.
"Send 'em back," He hear a woman's voice call back, "We're not sailing today."
The minotaur wave a huge hairy hand, indicating that they should leave.
Tanis shook his head. "I need to speak to Maq, it's vitally important."The minotaur snorted, blowing spray from it's huge nostrils, "You deaf?" It rumbled, "We're not sailing, get back to shore."
"I have to speak to her!" Tanis insisted desperately, trying, futilely, to push past the massive creature.
"Get back to shore you bilge rat!" Koraf roared, giving Tanis a shove that sent the shorter Half-elf flying.
Raistlin stepped back from the minotaur, his boots skidding on the wet deck. He wondered what to do now. He might be able to duck past Koraf to the captain's cabin, if Tanis kept the creature occupied. On the other hand, if they were forced to leave, he and Dalamar could come back later to convince the captain and be able to leave alone.
Before he could decided on a course of action, though, the door opened and captain Maquesta herself appeared. "What's going on!" She shouted above Koraf's snarls. "I said we're not sailing today Half-elf, and I meant it-"
"Maquesta," Tanis tried to push past the minotaur again, but a heavy hand caught him back the collar of his armour. "I've got to talk to you!" He shouted.
Caramon reached for his sword, but before he could draw it, Koraf brandished a heavy dirk at him, snorting. Raistlin backed away further, standing beside Dalamar near the debatable shelter of the mizzen-mast. Half the crew seemed to have joined them on deck to watch the fight, but Maquesta and Tanis quickly diffused the tension. The captain gave the Half-elf a scrutinising look then sighed, "Come to my cabin," She growled.
Raistlin shivered again as a blast of wind sent a curtain of rain washing over them. Dalamar slid an arm around his shoulders, and hugged him close. A few crewmembers looked at them, but nothing was said. Raistlin leant against the Dark elf, grateful for the warmth.
Then Dalamar's hand tightened on his shoulder, Raistlin looked up, and the Dark elf nodded towards one of the few men who hadn't reacted to their presence.
Him!
Dalamar might not have recognised the man, but then he didn't have his eyes. So few people didn't die when he saw them that he always remembered them vividly. Even though this man should be dead in truth. Raistlin quickly looked away before the man caught him staring.
"The man in Pax Tharkas," He hissed to Dalamar, "The man with the green gemstone in his chest."
The elf's grey eyes went wide, "Of course," he breathed, "I knew that I'd seen him before."
They fell silent, both thinking. Pax Tharkas. Eben the traitor must have meant to take the man to Verminaad. But why did they want him so much? The man was human, yet he didn't age in Raistlin's eyes. Was he immortal perhaps? He had seen him crushed by dozens of massive boulders, yet here he was now, less than a year later, untouched and unharmed. Immortality and invulnerability, if this man held the keys to those, then no wonder the Dragon Highlords wanted him. Raistlin himself was tempted. Still, best not to get ahead of themselves. They had other priorities. To keep themselves out of the claws of the Dragon Highlords, to get rid of Fistandantilus one way or another, and to find some way of ending this war- all without losing each other in the process. Then they could turn their attentions to other mysteries.
Maquesta and Tanis returned on deck, the Half-elf looking incredibly seasick and leaning heavily on the sea captain. Raistlin smirked as Tanis staggered over to the rail and threw up.

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The Perechon snuck out of port without giving any signal. By what they overheard from the crew, few others save the Highlord's ships gave signals, and this shouldn't attract attention.
Despite riding on a short sail, the wind backed, sending the ship skimming into the Blood Sea of Istar. None of them had ever been this far east.
Raistlin looked out over the rail towards where the sun as finally rising. He had read of Istar, and it was strange to think that they would soon be sailing over the very land that had not only caused the Cataclysm, but had also suffered the greatest from it. His hand closed on the bag containing the Dragon Orb, and wondered if their ship would be passing over the very Tower from which it had been taken.
How many more treasures were still buried below the waves?
And why, Raistlin wondered, did that magic seem utterly worthless if it was unable to help them?
Raistlin looked at Dalamar's face, he was looking back at the mainland and Raistlin knew he was half-expecting the Highlord's ships to start after them, or worse, to spot the leading edges of a dragon's wings.
The crew had propped up a sail on the deck to act as a shelter from the rain, but it wasn't until Flotsam had finally vanished from sight and they were alone on the hazy ocean that he and Dalamar crouched under it. They couldn't see much save for the deck, but it was dry, and almost comfortable after they had wrapped themselves in cloaks and blankets.
The others hadn't joined them, preferring to be out on deck, and Raistlin was savagely pleased that even Goldmoon's powers couldn't do much for Tanis' seasickness. He tried not to think of the possibilities of having the Half-elf with them, as though thinking of the Dragon Highlords would alert them to their presence.

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Mercifully, there was no sign of them all day, and by nightfall they had seen neither sight nor sound of a pursuing ship or a dragon's wing. The two mages hadn't moved much that day, only to pillage their packs for food and accept a ration of ship's biscuits from the crew. After the rush to launch, the ship was undersupplied, and Raistlin had heard the captain planned to put into Mithas to restock. Luckily, after the storm water was no problem.
The two of them took it in turned to sleep, theoretically to keep a watch for the Dragon Highlords, but they both knew the truth- the danger they feared was far closer to home.
Raistlin was awake when the sun rose. Despite the choppy water and bad food, he didn't feel sick, even his cough didn't bother him much- which was a relief, since it would be hard to boil water for his tea here. Raistlin stood up stiffly, pulling the blankets over the still-sleeping Dalamar and walking out to the rail.
Tanis, Riverwind, Goldmoon and Maquesta were close by, staring out to sea.
Even though he knew what he was going to see, Raistlin's first sight of the Blood Sea was still a shock.
He had seen many relics of the Cataclysm. Xak Tsaroth... Tarsis... but this was the most poignant. He had expected the sea to be a dull brownish-red, but what he saw was the shade of freshly spilled blood, as though, as legends said, it was tainted by the blood of those who had died when the burning mountain fell on Istar.
The deck creaked behind him, and Dalamar's hand closed on the rail on top of him, the elf's pale fingers interlacing with his own golden ones. He didn't speak, the sheer scale of this monument to the Kingpriest's folly rendering him speechless. His other hand touched Raistlin's shoulder, and they stood in silence, watching.
"Deck ho!" The lookout's shrill voice shattered the silence, "Sail to the west!"
The others jumped, and even the two mages tensed. Raistlin couldn't see anything through the clouds hanging low over the horizon, and even Dalamar was frowning, trying to pick out what had been seen.
"A ship?" He heard Maquesta ask Koraf, who was peering through a spyglass.
"No," The minotaur grunted, "A cloud mebbe. But it go fast, very fast. Faster than any cloud I ever see."
The bottom of Raistlin's stomach dropped away as he and Dalamar looked at each other, both coming to the same horrifying realisation. Oh no.
Now Raistlin could see what- or rather/who/- Koraf had seen. Dark specks on the horizon, silhouetted against the retreating clouds, barely visible, but rapidly getting bigger.
Oh Gods...

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"Dragons." Dalamar said dully, stating what they both knew. "Blue dragons. It has to be your sister."
The crewmembers were scuttling around as frantically as ants from a broken nest, trying to set the sails and get all speed. But the ship was not a griffon, and this time there would be no outrunning them.
"Keep near the edge of the storm!" Maquesta shouted at Berem. The strange man was at the helm, turning the ship until the wind sent it almost skipping over the waves.
"Useless," Raistlin murmured, feeling sick. "The dragons are too fast, we can't outrun them..."
'Tarsis all over again' went unspoken. The same result, either they would be captured, or- Raistlin could barely think of it.
No. The Dragon Orb. He might not have the power to turn the dragons back, but he had the knowledge to have it teleport them out. It was a terrible risk, but any chance was better than none. They would try it, and head to Palanthas the only way that remained to them.
"You!" Riverwind’s voice sheared through Raistlin's thoughts. The Plainsman to looking at him and Dalamar in loathing. "You betrayed us once- more than once, no wonder you were up so early this morning." He spat. "What did they offer you!"
The accusation was so outrageous that Raistlin could barely marshal his thought to speak. But before he could, Tanis broke in.
"Riverwind, they didn't do this." The Half-elf looked mortified, but apparently even his hypocrisy wouldn't stretch far enough to have others accused in his stead. "I- I must have been followed."
"How can you say that Tanis," Goldmoon said softly, staring at the two mages with eyes like poison. "You remember Tarsis, and Sturm, and the Nightmare."
"I know." Tanis gritted his teeth, but his guilt was still greater than his dislike for the two of them. "This- this isn't anything to do with them. I know. I-" He broke off.
"Tanis," Goldmoon touched his forearm, but the Half-elf turned away.
"Just- No. Just leave me." He started away.
A horrific sound split the air.
Raistlin had heard dragons roar so loudly the ground shook, and had thought his ears might split from a griffon's shriek. But this cry was the most terrible of all from coming from a human throat.
"Berem-" Maquesta started towards her maddened helmsman, "No!"
Berem spun the wheel and turned the Perechon around so fast the mizzenmast snapped. Trailing ropes and men, the mast swayed and plummeted into the Blood Sea. Dalamar dragged Raistlin down as the ropes holding the mast snapped and lashed through the air like rabid vipers. For a moment, Raistlin was certain the ship would capsize entirely, but slowly, agonisingly slowly, Berem steered the Perechon into the wind. The remaining sails filled and the ship righted itself drunkenly.
Raistlin staggered to his feet, the staff of Magius was in his hand instantly and he used it to push himself upright. Dalamar stumbled up after him on the rocking deck, Raistlin reached out instinctively to steady him, leaning against the railing. He was so shaken that their surroundings didn't register as once.
Raistlin stiffened, and his breath caught in his throat when he realised what was happening. Berem was steering straight into the storm over the Blood Sea. Maquesta had obviously realised the same thing, and was running towards the helmsman, shouting something, then stalling, apparently deciding that the only man capable of getting them out of this was the one that had got them into it.
She might well be right. Raistlin hesitated, wondering if he should carry out his plan to use the Dragon Orb or not. He decided against it. If there was any chance they could get out of this, they should take it rather that risk the artefact. Even though he couldn't see how anything could be worse than this.
The clouds hung over them like a nightmare, jet black and deadly as the stormclouds he had seen over Abanasinia. The lightning was a sickening green that reminded Raistlin of the gem impaled in Berem's chest, and the thrashing waves were like clotted blood. The wind hit a moment later, with the rain and hail.
The ship lurched again as the dragging mast was cut loose. Above them, the sailors were scrambling to take down the sails from the remaining mast. Another gust of wind tore through the ship, whipping the trailing ropes wildly. Raistlin clutched Dalamar as he started to cough, the world was rocking madly, and he hung onto the Dark elf as an anchor when the world seemed to be about to turn upside down.
"Do you think we've lost them?" Caramon asked, looking over at his brother.
Raistlin swallowed back the pain and wiped his mouth. The blood on his hand was the same colour as the waves crashing against the ship. He couldn't see Tanis' reaction, but he could imagine it. For a few moments, he hoped that Caramon might, for once, be right.
Suddenly Dalamar cried out in horror, Raistlin spun around and couldn't stop himself from trembling as the dragon's head tore through the clouds like sackcloth. It's jaws opened, revealing rows of huge teeth, and for a moment, Raistlin was certain it would incinerate the ship.
And then, just when Raistlin was certain things couldn't get any worse, they did. The screaming wind had torn Berem's shirt open, and the gem imbedded in his chest was blazing with a light that put the lightning to shame. It gleamed like a sickening green star and Raistlin saw the glare burning off the sleek curves of the helm of the Dragon Highlord, now emerging from the flying clouds.
Even without knowing the truth, Raistlin knew he would never have mistaken the Dragon Highlord for anyone other than his sister. Even with her mask, her identity was obvious in every detail, the way she rode, the way she held herself. He knew. Kitiara lifted one hand, preparing to signal her dragon to dive.
"Kitiara!" The words tore free from Raistlin's throat, wildly hoping to interrupt the fierce concerntration it would take to steer a dragon through this storm. He couldn't believe how loud his voice sounded.
It worked. Kitiara saw him, then Dalamar and Caramon and the rest of them. The dragon reared higher suddenly, no longer able to compete with the gale, and started to slip behind. For a moment, Raistlin dared to hope, but with a roar the creature surged forward again. Kitiara pointed at Berem, and with a second, deafening shriek, the dragon prepared to dive. Raistlin stumbled back, suddenly certain that his sister would take and kill them too.
But it was too late, the Perechon was deeper than ever in the storm, and the buffeting winds made it impossible for the dragon to fight it's way through them to the ship. Frantically beating it's wings, the dragon flew away; through the clouds and out of sight.
They didn't have time to sigh their relief when a wave crashed over them, and the world went white with spray, then red with water. Raistlin couldn't see, he lost his grip on Dalamar's robes and his staff as his eyes and ears were filled with roaring water. The drag of the water clawed at him as the wave washed back overboard, pulling him back over the slick boards. Raistlin opened his mouth to cry out, and choked as he swallowed a mouthful of seawater. Perhaps it was his imagination, but it tasted of blood.
Raistlin's hands scrabbled futilely over the wooden deck, panic clawing up his throat, certain he was about to be swept overboard.
Dalamar's hand closed around his wrist. Raistlin looked up, half-blinded by water dripping from his sodden hair. The Dark elf's teeth were bared and his grip was painful, his other hand clutching a length of rope so tightly it drew blood. He looked as though he would rather follow Raistlin over the side than relinquish his grip.
"Get below you lubber!" Maquesta roared at them. Raistlin spat something on to the deck- water or blood, he couldn't tell- "Take your friends and get below! You're in our way! Use my cabin."
The Dark elf pulled him to his feet, and the Staff of Magius reappeared in his hand. There was no sign of his sister or her dragons through the driving rain and flying clouds.
Dalamar all but manhandled the stunned mage across the deck, brushing past the horrified Caramon and pushing the captain's door open. The cabin was small and cramped, the four walls an illusion of security. Raistlin collapsed on the narrow bunk, dripping wet. Coughs shook him and he couldn't stop shaking, both from cold and from shock. Dalamar sat next to him and drew him into his arms.
Raistlin shuddered and buried his face in the Dark elf's robes. If it wasn't for the others, he thought he might be about to cry. Instead he bit back the lump in his throat and ignored the glares they sent Tanis. He felt weak and vulnerable, and wanted nothing more than to hold Dalamar until they both felt better.
"So that's where you were these four days," Caramon said softly to Tanis, "With our sister. Our sister, the Dragon Highlord!"
Raistlin didn't look up. Tanis wasn't worth the energy and he'd rather stay like this, Dalamar's skin was warm through his soaked robes, and his hands stroked gently over his back and neck. The Dark elf glowered at Tanis, and pulled Raistlin still closer, nuzzling his wet hair.
"Did you know?" Goldmoon was looking at them, her face cold and hard as marble.
"Would you have believed us?" Raistlin lifted his head and rested his chin on Dalamar's shoulder.
"Will you stop that!" Caramon finally exploded as Dalamar's hands rubbed over Raistlin's back again, warming him.
Raistlin felt a burning flash of hate towards his brother. Incredible. Considering how Tika had spent the last few weeks hanging off Caramon like a limpet. Raistlin couldn't stand being here any more. His brother's simple presence was intolerable, and the thought of listening to Half-human's self pitying diatribe was more than he could bear right now.
His legs shook when he struggled to his feet and left the room, Dalamar close behind. They stood in the short corridor, the door slamming behind them. Dalamar leant across from him, behind the door, he could hear Tanis' voice, barely audible over the crash of thunder and the scream of the wind.
The floor rocked threateningly and Dalamar lost his balance and pitched into the opposite wall. Raistlin steadied him. They didn't speak. They leant against the wall, Raistlin drew Dalamar into his arms and smiled when the Dark elf kissed his cheek.
The floor rocked again, almost knocking Raistlin over, then seemed to settle into a very strange rhythm, one more suited for a river than a storm-tossed sea. They barely had time to register this when the door flew open and Koraf shoved past them, the massive minotaur almost filling the small passageway and crushing the slender mages against the wall. He all but knocked the door down, bellowing for them to get on deck.
Raistlin knew what had happened the moment he followed Koraf outside. The steady forward motion, the crew staring in horror over the rail, and Maquesta's hate-filed face. He knew. He didn't want to admit it to himself.
"You have destroyed us, you and that blasted helmsman!" Maquesta snarled, then spoke the very words Raistlin couldn't utter himself.
"We are caught in the Maelstrom."

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Raistlin caught Dalamar's arm with a strength that surprised him. He didn't feel his cough, didn't feel the weakness he had live with for years. He felt as strong as he had before his Test as he dragged the Dark elf back to Maquesta's cabin. Dalamar didn't argue, Raistlin didn't explain. The elf only followed, without even the reluctance he usually portrayed when Raistlin couldn't explain something. Dalamar knew of the powers of the Dragon Orb, and he was clever enough to understand what Raistlin planned to do. He didn't look surprised when the human mage closed the door behind them and withdrew the Dragon Orb's bag from his robes.
"Will it take both of us?" Dalamar asked, leaning against the door.
Raistlin scowled at him, between the terror of the last few hours and his disgust with the others, this was the last straw. "Do you think I would have suggested it otherwise?" He hissed, outraged.
Dalamar stiffened, then shook his head, smiling slightly. His hand closed on Raistlin's. "No."
Raistlin gritted his teeth and nodded sharply, opening the enchanted sack and withdrawing the Orb. The touch of it was repellent, like plunging his hand into a writhing mass of maggots. He felt dizzy, everything was happening so fast, and ice pricked his palms like needles.
"What about the others?" Dalamar hesitated.
"What about the others?" Raistlin snapped. This was Tanis' fault, and he could deal with it. As for the others, he didn't care if they drowned or the dragon ate them. But not Dalamar. He would not leave Dalamar to die. Not again. Never again.
Raistlin held the Dragon Orb loosely. It swelled suddenly, doubling- tripling- in size until it filled his cupped hands. The change of size prompted a surge of vertigo that nearly made him lose his footing on the rocking floor. He felt even dizzier, bile rising until he thought he might throw up. He struggled to focus, to marshal his thoughts to command the Orb.
It pulsed in his hands like an obscene heart- or perhaps, like Berem's green gem- the colours swirled, the putrid green spinning into colours he could barely comprehend, let alone describe. It hurt his eyes to look at it and he glanced away, looking up and meeting Dalamar's gaze.
The Dark elf's face was stained a ghostly green, the memory of Silvanesti Nightmare resurfacing, painfully poignant. The elf's lips thinned, his silver eyes glinting, resigning himself for using this hated artefact. He nodded stiffly.
Raistlin nodded back, now feeling even more sick, his chest tightening warningly. He ignored it, recalling to mind the words that had been revealed to him when last he studied the Orb. He felt as though the chill of his wet robes had crawled into his bones.
The moment he started the chant, he knew something was going horribly, nightmarishly wrong. The chill deepened and a sickeningly familiar prickling started along the back of his arms. A dull numbness spread through him, filling him with ice, his frozen mouth continuing to chant, the same spell, but with one dreadful exception.
A burst of alien thought shredded his already dazed mind, scattering his control and tearing his thoughts apart.
Fistandantilus!
'No!' Raistlin's mind screamed, and had he control, he would have shouted it in truth, destroying the spell. But it was too late, the lich had too much control, and the chanted words didn't falter. Through the rising fog in his eyes- like frost on a window pane- Raistlin could see Dalamar's face pale in the dim light, the terrible truth dawning on the Dark elf's face.
It was he last thing he saw. The elf's horrified face swam in his minds eye as Fistandantilus completed the chant, despite Raistlin's mental screams. The lich's hands- his hands- tightened on the Orb, and the artefact dragged him away. Alone.
Leaving Dalamar as he had sworn he would never leave him.
As he couldn't have imagined ever leaving him.
As he had left him in the Nightmare.
To die.
The End
Of Nocturnale, that is...
- 15
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Nocturnale