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Ice and Steel	By : Skullbearer Category: A through F > Dragonlance Views: 3083 -:- 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
- 16
- 17
- 18
Promises and Farewells
Look at me now,
I was a virgin.
Look at me now,
Grew up to be a whore.
-I Want to Disappear, Marilyn Manson.
The news of Raistlin and Dalamar's departure came as a surprise to nobody, but the news of Kitiara's did. She had asked to head up North with Caramon and Sturm, without Tanis.
The two mages had been eating dinner at the Inn of the Last Home when they overheard this announcement. Dalamar hid a smile behind his hand, "Clearly, Tanis found something he didn't like."
Raistlin sneered, "After spending the better part of a year spying, I'm sure it must be second nature to him."
Dalamar choked down a cold laugh, "Well, this has been a month for breaking ties, hasn't it?"
The younger mage rolled his eyes, he had barely seen Caramon and was glad of it. His brother had barely spent two nights in their house after their row, the tension had been too great. He now tended to sleep at a friend's houses or, more often, on the Inn's scrubbed wooden floor.
Raistlin didn't care, he no longer needed Caramon and most certainly didn't want his brother's company. Had things been left alone they could have parted with good feeling, after all, Caramon had looked after him for years. Raistlin had decided to give Caramon time to adjust to the fact that his twin no longer needed him, cutting ties with a scalpel, as it were.
Well, what had begun with a scalpel had been finished with an axe, and now Raistlin just wanted to be rid of his brother once and for all.
-----------------------------Last Day of Spring Blossom------------------------------
It was Raistlin and Dalamar's last night in Solace, and they were having dinner at the Inn. Unfortunately, Caramon and his friends seemed to have had the same idea and were sitting a few tables away and making more noise than the rest of the Inn's customers put together.
Raistlin sighed, at least he wouldn't be putting up with them much longer.
The two mages would be heading south to Wayreth the next morning, and they weren't the only ones leaving.
Sturm, Kitiara and Caramon were also leaving the next day, traveling North to Solamnia in search of Sturm's family. That was the plan, but if Caramon kept drinking he'd knock himself out for a week, at least, that was what Kit said.
Tanis was going home to Qualinesti, Tasslehoff to Kendermore, and Flint was going to stay among his own kind for a while.
None of this was of much interest to either Raistlin or Dalamar, except that they had heard something rather intriguing from Flint and Tanis's conversation.
The two were planning to search for signs of the old Gods while on their travels, and he heard Tanis's suggest that they all take a vow swearing that they all return to Solace after five years, no matter what.
They all took the vow, and Raistlin leant closer to Dalamar, "Did you catch that?" He whispered under the noise.
"About the true Gods? Yes."
"I wonder..." Raistlin bowed his head, thinking.
"Wonder if it might be worth our while to come back ourselves after five years?"
"Yes, if possible. I'd be interested to know what they'd found out,"
"And we should keep our own eyes open."
"Exactly."
They shared a hidden smile, and watched as the travelers' table emptied and they all left for home, Kitiara almost carrying Caramon.
Dalamar echoed Raistlin's thoughts, "Good riddance."
They stayed, longer, finishing their meal and drinking a glass of wine before heading for home and for bed; after all, they had a long journey ahead of them.

-------------------------Seventh Day of the Seventh Month---------------------------

The journey to Wayreth took them almost a month, they rode on horseback, the steeds a gift from Raistlin's sponsor Antimodes.
The road was easy, what bandits there were must have given the two mages a wide berth, for they met none.
Skirting Qualinesti proved more difficult: Raistlin feared that Dalamar's presence would cause problems and indeed, on the last day of following the border the two mages woke to find an arrow buried at the foot of the bedroll they shared.
Dalamar plucked up the arrow and ran one finger over the feathered barbs, he looked less worried than Raistlin, assuring the younger mage that if the elves wanted them dead them they wouldn't have woken up at all.
This reassured Raistlin not at all, and he was very relieved when they left the border of Qualinesti behind then and continued their journey south towards where the Tower of Wayreth was said to stand.
Four days before the seventh, Raistlin was starting to worry, they had come to the place where the Tower was marked on their map and there was nothing there but a small grove of yew trees. Dalamar remarked that this should teach Raistlin something about trusting a kender map. Raistlin snapped back that he hadn't heard Dalamar giving any better advice.
Then, on the seventh day, they awoke to find themselves inside, not the stretch of ragged pines where they had set up camp the previous evening, but a forest of spreading oaks. The forest of Wayreth.
Dalamar sighed, smiling sadly at Raistlin, "I suppose this is goodbye then?"
Raistlin nodded, a heavy weight lodging in his stomach at the words. He lifted his right hand and pulled the ring Dalamar had given him off his finger, placing it in the Dark elf's hands and folding his long fingers over it. "Look after this until I come back."
Dalamar nodded, the knowledge that Raistlin might not come back at all weighing between them like lead. The Dark elf ran one finger briefly over the back of the younger mage's hand, then suddenly pulled him close.
Raistlin clasped his hands against Dalamar's back, head resting on the Dark elf's chest as black robed arms slide round him. He felt Dalamar hang on to him tightly, lying his cheek on the top of Raistlin's head.
"Just be careful, please," Dalamar whispered, "Please, I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
"I love you too." Raistlin smiled against Dalamar's robes, "I will be fine, they wouldn't have called me unless they knew I could do this, you know that."
Dalamar nodded, a smiling sadly, "Yes, of course, but just wait until it's my turn to take the Test, Raistlin Majere, then we'll see who's more composed."
Raistlin lifted his head and kissed Dalamar deeply, running a hand through the elf's long black hair. "I'll be back in a few days, just wait for me here."
One last, tight hug, "Yes, I will. Nuitari walk with you."
Raistlin pulled free of the embrace, albeit reluctantly. He looked once more at Dalamar, his lover, friend and companion for more than a year then waved before turning and walking into the trees.

----------------------------------Dalamar's POV-------------------------------------

Dalamar closed his eyes, forcing his emotions back under control. Raistlin was right, the Conclave wouldn't have asked him to take the Test if he wasn't ready.
But oh, sweet Gods, he didn't know he would do if some faceless Tower mage came out to give him Raistlin's belongings and to tell him that his lover had failed the Test.
Dalamar's stomach twisted, then he stamped on the thought firmly. It was stupid to worry like this when there was truly nothing he could do, he had faith that Raistlin could do this, the mage was skilled enough.
He had to believe that.

------------------------------------Raistlin's POV------------------------------------

Of the seven magic users waiting in the courtyard, Raistlin was the youngest by at least five years. Of the other six, three men, three women, half were human, one was an odd combination of human and dwarf and the other two were elven.
Raistlin watched the elves curiously, so far the only full elf he had known was Dalamar and he wondered at the two standing near him now.
They looked thinner and weaker than Dalamar, that was true, and they were even less friendly, scowling whenever they saw Raistlin looking their way.
Not that they were the only ones being unpleasant, the half dwarf was convinced that Raistlin had found some way to sneak in because he was far too young to take the Test,
although he couldn't say how when Raistlin sarcastically asked him how anyone could sneak into a place like this.
Raistlin ignored the other initiates after that, and focused on the courtyard he found himself in.
And indeed, there was more than enough in the courtyard to distract him, it was an
eerie place, crisscrossed with paths of magic, whispers sounded on the edge of hearing as magi walked those paths in and out of the Tower.
Creepy as it was to Raistlin, who knew very well what was happening, he was very glad that he hadn't brought Caramon here, the oaf would have probably tried to attack those walking the paths of magic and caused Raistlin a lot of embarrassment.
Now Dalamar on the other hand-
Raistlin stopped that thought, it was a pity that the Dark elf wasn't here, but perhaps it was all for the best. This would be his chance to prove himself, by himself, for himself, with no support from anyone.
And succeed he would, he had been tried in the past, in Haven for example, he had cast a spell while under stress perfectly. He was confident in his abilities and in his knowledge, both of the magic and of himself. He would do this, and do this well.
Worries eased, Raistlin relaxed and looked around the courtyard again, he'd see it again, he was sure of that, could envision himself learning in the great library, tending the herbs in the garden, perhaps one day, even helping oversee Dalamar's own Test!
Raistlin smiled and looked up at the two great obsidian towers, one to the east, the other to the south, and both surrounded by a wall in the shape of a triangle, a smaller tower at each of the wall's corners.
No battlements needed here, Raistlin thought, these towers needed no protection other than that afforded by it's ever shifting position and guardian forest.
Deep within one of the towers, a bell rang seven times.
Raistlin jumped slightly, standing up straight and brushing down his robes, white in honor of his sponsor, to clear them of any dirt or twigs.
A hand materialized over the rose bed, just a hand, beckoning the initiates towards one of the smaller towers situated between the two main ones.
Raistlin swallowed, then drew his hood over his head and slid his hands into the sleeves of his robes before following the hand. The other initiates did the same.
The hand pointed at the front door, one of red wood with a onyx eyed silver dragon's head knocker but there was no need to knock, the door opened of it's own accord.
The darkness inside was so stifling after the bright light outside that they had to stop to let their eyes adapt to the change. An unseen voice broke the silence.
"Turn to your right and walk towards the light."
They did as they were commanded, a small light flaring up ahead, illuminating the corridor they were in, small and narrow, and lit further on by heatless, smokeless torches.
The corridor twisted, then opened up into an enormous hall.
Raistlin's breathing faltered, the Hall of Mages, he realized. A place legend to all but the few who had seen it, a few he was now part of. Once again, he wished Dalamar was here to share this with.
The hall was immense, built of magic-smoothed obsidian. The unsupported ceiling was lost in shadow high above.
Around them, seated in an semicircle was the Conclave of Wizards. Twenty one of the
most powerful mages in Krynn sat there, seven of each order.
Raistlin's eyes swept over the members; men and women, humans, elves and dwarves, old and young, black, red or white robed, before settling on the man seated in the center chair.
He was old, said to be only in his early sixties but looking far older. Par-Salian, head of the Order of White Robes and head of the Conclave.
Raistlin couldn't keep his lips from twitching into a smile, no matter what happened, this was worth it.
"Greetings." Par-Salian smiled welcomingly, "Greetings, initiates."
His eyes rested on Raistlin and a frown flickered across the archmage's face.
This was about Caramon, Raistlin realized, they were expecting him to have brought his twin. He forced himself to meet Par-Salian's gaze unflinchingly, Caramon had no reason to be here, his brother was neither mage and nor was he needed by Raistlin. This was
Raistlin's Test and this he had to do himself.
Par-Salian's gaze left Raistlin and he continued to speak, "You have come at the appointed time by invitation to undergo tests of your skills and your talent, your creativity, your thought processes and, most importantly, the testing of yourself. What are your limits? How far can you push beyond those limits? What are your flaws? How might those flaws impede your abilities? Uncomfortable questions, but questions we each must answer, for only when we know ourselves- faults and strengths alike- will we have access to the full potential that is within us."
Yes, yes, whatever, Raistlin thought; nervousness returning in full, hurry up and get on with it.
"Don't worry," Par-Salian continued, "I know how eager you are, and therefore I will
not indulge in long speeches. Again I want to bid you welcome and to extend my blessing. I ask that Solinari be with you this day."
They all bowed as the archmage resumed his seat and the head of the Order of Red Robes stood and spoke briskly.
"When your name is called, step forward and accompany one of the judges, who will take you to the area where the testing will begin. I am certain you are all familiar with the criteria of the testing, but the Conclave requires me to read it to you now, so none
can claim he or she entered into this unknowingly. I remind you that these are guidelines only. Each Test is specially designed for the individual initiate and may include all or only a part of what the guidelines call for."
If these guidelines are broken so often, then why are they there at all? Raistlin thought, nerves making him irritable, get on with it.
"There shall be three tests of the initiate's knowledge of magic and it's use. The Test shall require the casting of all the spells known by the initiate, at least three tests that cannot be solved by magic alone and at least one combat against an opponent who is higher in rank than the in initiate. Do you have any questions?"
Silence, what questions Raistlin had were locked within his soul.
"Then, I ask Lunitari to walk with you."
He too then sat and the head of the Order of Black Robes rose to her feet. "I ask that Nuitari walk with you." Unfurling her scroll, she began to read off names.
Raistlin remembered when, only a few hours ago, he'd heard much the same blessing from Dalamar. He hoped they were true.
As each name was read, the initiate stepped forward to meet a member of the Conclave and was led off into the shadows of the hall.
Finally, only one was left. Raistlin.
Raistlin forced down a scowl, why was it always him? Just for once he'd have liked something to go somewhat normally.
The Black Robe, having apparently finished reading off names, closed the scroll and sat
back down. Raistlin was aware that he should be worried by this, but he was too angry and it was all he could do to keep his stance stoic and face impassive as he waited.
Par-Salian rose to his feet and cleared his throat, "Raistlin Majere, I believe we made it clear in your letter that you were to bring your brother as an escort, yet you have not done so, why?"
Here we go, "I didn't understand why I was to do so, Great One." It was all Raistlin could do to keep the bite of sarcasm out of his voice, Caramon was still a sore issue.
"We do this in the case of all twins who come to the testing, we have discovered that
twins have an extremely close bond, closer than most siblings, almost as if the two were in reality one being split in twain-"
Raistlin couldn't control himself, he was fuming inside, "Had." he muttered.
Par-Salian had good ears for an old man, "I beg your pardon?"
"We had a close bond, but that is no longer the case." Well, that was a nice way of putting it.
"Really?" Par-Salian looked more surprised than annoyed, which Raistlin guessed to be a good sign. "What occurred to change this?"
He'd really had enough of this little inquisition, "My pardons, Great One," the effect of
the words was somewhat lessened due to Raistlin gritting his teeth, "But I fail to see what this has to do with my Test."
There was a moment's silence, then Par-Salian nodded, looking resigned, "Very well,
so be it. Raistlin Majere, would you be so good as to accompany Justarius? He will take you to the area where the Test begins."
Relieved beyond words, Raistlin bowed to the Conclave and followed the Red Robe.

Skull Bearer.
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Ice and Steel