Dwarven Nations - Hammer And Axe Part 18

Silvanesti. Entering the dream.

The third day, they continued their journey, flying into the sunrise. They had lost the dragons; apparently; although Tika, keeping watch behind, thought she could see black dots upon the horizon. And that afternoon, as the sun was sinking behind them, they neared the river known as Thos-Thalas-Lord's River- which divided the outside world from Silvanesti.

All of his life, Tanis had heard of the wander and beauty of the ancient Even Home, though the elves of Qualinesti spoke of it without regret. Then did not miss the last wonders of Silvanesti, for the wonders themselves became a symbol of the differences that had developed between the elven kin.

The elves in Qualinesti lived in harmony with nature, developing and enhancing its beauty. They built their homes among the aspens, magically gilding the trunks with silver and gold. They built their dwellings of shimmering rose quartz, and invited nature to come dwell with them.

The Silvanesti, however, loved uniqueness and diversity in all objects. Not seeing this uniqueness existing naturally, they reshaped nature to conform to their ideal. They had patience and they had time, for what were centuries to elves whose life spans measured in the hundreds of years? And so they reformed entire forests, pruning and digging, forcing the trees and flowers into fantastic gardens of incredible beauty.

They did not 'build' dwellings, but carved and molded the marble rock that existed naturally in their land iota such strange and wondrous shapes that-in the years before the races were estranged-dwarven craftsmen traveled thousands of miles to view them, and then could do nothing but weep at the rare beauty.

And, it was said, a human who wandered into the gardens of Silvanesti could not leave, but stayed foaever enraptured, caught in a beautiful dream.

All this was known to Tanis only through legend, of course, for none of the Qualinesti had set foot in their ancient home since the Kinslayer wars. No human-it ryas believed-had been allowed in Silvanesti since a hundred years before that.

'What about the stories;' Tanis asked Alhana as they flew above the aspens on the backs of the griffons, '"the stories of humans trapped by the beauty of Silvanesti, unable to leave Do my friends dare go to this land?" Alhana glanced back at him.

"I knew humans were weak;' she said coldly "brat I did not think they were that weak. It is true humans do oat come to Silvanesti, but that is because we keep them out. We certainly wouldn't want to keep any in. If I thought there was danger of that, I would not allow you into my homeland:'

"Not even Sturm?" he couldn't help asking wry,"I3.^, nettled by her stinging tone.

But he was not prepared for the answer. Albans lwist-ed ":o face him, whipping around so fast her long black hair flailed his skin. Her face was so pale with anger, it seemed translucent and he could see the veins pulse beneath her skin.

Her dark eyes seemed to swallow him in their black depths.

"Never speak of that to me!" she said through clenched teeth and white lips.

"Never speak of him!"

"But last night-" Tanis faltered, astonished, putting his hand to his burning cheek.

"Last night never happened;" Alhana said. "I was weak, tired, frightened. As I was when . . . when I met Stur-the knight. I regret speaking of him to you. I regret telling you of the Starjewel:'

"Do you regret giving it to him?" Tanis asked.

"I regret the day I set foot in Tarsis;' Alhana said in a low, pa.s.sionate voice.

"I wish I had never gone there! Never!" She turned away abruptly, leaving Tanis to dark thoughts.

The companions had just reached the river, within sight of the tall Tower of the Stars, shining like a strand of pearls twisting into the sun, when the griffons suddenly halted their flight. Tanis, glancing ahead, could see no sign of danger. But their griffons continued to descend rapidly.

Indeed. it seemed hard to believe that Silvanesti had been under attack. There were no thin columns of campfire smoke rising into the air, as there would be if the draconians occupied the county',,^. The land was not blackened and ruined.

He could see, below him., the green of the aspens gleaming in the sunlight. Here and them, the marble buildings dotted the forest with their white splendor.

"No!' Alhana spoke to the griffons in elven. "I command you.' Keep going! I must reach the Tower!"

But the griffons circled lower and lower, ignoring her.

"What is it?'" Tanis asked. "Why are we stopping? We're in sight of the Tower.

W'hat's the matter?" He looked all around. "I see nothing to be concerned over."

"'They refuse to go an;' Alhana said, her face drawn with ,,,Worry. "They won"t tell me ruby, only that we must travel on our own from here. I don't understand this:"

Tanis didn't like it. Griffins were known as fierce, independent creatures. bat once their loyalty was gained, they served their maulers with undying devotion.

The elven royalty of Silvanesti has always tamed griffons for their use. Though smaller than dragons, the griffons' lightning speed, sharp talons, tearing beak, and lion-clawed hind feet made them enemies to be respected. There was little they feared on Krynn, so Tanis had heard. These griffons, he remembered, had flown into Tarsis through swarms of dragons without apparent fear.

Yet now the griffons were obviously afraid. They landed on the banks of the river, refusing all of Alhana's angry, imperious commands to fly farther.

Instead, they moodily preened themselves and steadfastedly refused to obey.

Finally there was nothing for the companions to do but climb off the griffons'

backs and unload their supplies. Then the birdlion creatures, with fierce, apologetic dignity, spread their wings and soared away.

"Well, that is that;" said Alhana sharply, ignoring the angry glances she felt cast at leer. "We shall simply have to walk, that's all. The way is not far:"

The companions stood stranded upon the riverbank, staring across the sparkling water into the forest beyond. None of them spoke. All of them were terse, alert, searching for trouble. But all they saw were the aspen trees glistening in the last, lingering rays of sunset. The river murmured as it lapped on the sh.o.r.e.

Though the aspens were green still, the silence of winter blanketed the land.

"I thought you said your people fled because they were under siege?" Tanis said to Alhana finally.

"If this land is under control of dragons, I'm a gully dwarf!" Caramon snorkel.

"We were!" Alhana answered, leer eyes scanning the sunlit forest. "Dragons Filled the skies-as in Tarsis! The dragonmen entered our beloved woods, burning, destroying-" Her voice died.

Caramon leaned near Riverwind and Muttered, "Wild goose chase!"

The Plainsman scowled. "If it's nothing more than that, we'll be fortunate," he sail, his eyes on the elfanaid. "Why did sire bring as here? Perhaps it's a trap."

Caramon considered this a moment, then glanced uneasily at his brother, who had not spoken or moved or taken his strange eyes from the forest since the griffons left . The big warrior loosened his sword in its scabbard and moved a step nearer Tika. Almost accidentally, it seemed, their two hands clasped. Tika cast a fearful look at Raistlin but held onto Caramon tightly.

The merge just stared fixedly into the wilderness.

"Tanis!" Alhana said suddenly, forgetting herself in her joy and putting her hand on his arm. "Maybe it worked! Maybe my father defeated them, and we can come home! Oh, Tanis-" She trembled with excitement. "We've got to cross the river and find out! Come! The ferry landing's down around the bend-"

"Alhana, wait!" Tanis called, but she was already running along the smooth, gra.s.sy bank, her long full skirts fluttering around her ankles. "Alhana! d.a.m.n it. Caramon and Riverwind, go after her. Goldmoon, try to talk some sense into her:'

Riverwind and Caramon exchanged uneasy glances, but they did as Tanis ordered, running along the riverbank after Alhana. Goldmoon and Tika followed more slowly.

"Who knaves what"s in these woods?" Tanis muttered. "Raistlin-"

The merge did not seem to hear. Tanis moved closer. "Raistlin?" he repeated, seeing the mage's abstracted stare.

Raistlin stared at him blankly, as if waking from a dream. Then the merge became aware of someone speaking to him. He lowered his eyes.

"What is it, Raistlin?" Tanis asked. "What do you sense?"

"Nothing, Tanis;' the merge repined.

Tanis blinked. "Nothing?" he repeated.

"It is like an impenetrable fog, a blank wall;" Raistlin whispered. "I see nothing, sense nothing:'

Tanis staged at him intently, amid suddenly he knew Raistlin was lying. But why?

The merge returned the half-elf's gaze with equanimity, even a small, twisted smile on his thin lips, as if he knew Tanis didn't believe him brat really didn't care.

"Raistlin;' Tanis sail softly, "suppose Lorac, the elfking, tried to use the dragon orb-what would happen?"