Dragons of the Autumn Twilight - Margaret Weis [115]
“Move one step closer and I will impale this shriveled human upon the altar with my claw.”
Caramon’s face flushed a deep, ugly red. “Let him go!” he shouted. “Your fight is with me.”
“My fight is with none of you,” the dragon said, lazily moving its wings. Raistlin flinched as the dragon’s clawed foot shifted slightly, teasingly, digging her claw into his flesh. The mage’s metallic skin glistened with sweat. He drew a deep, ragged breath. “Don’t even twitch, mage,” the dragon sneered. “We speak the same language, remember? One word of a spell and your friends’ carcasses will be used to feed the gully dwarves!”
Raistlin’s eyes closed as in exhaustion. But Tanis could see the mage’s hands clench and unclench, and he knew Raistlin was preparing one final spell. It would be his last—by the time he cast it the dragon would kill him. But it might give Riverwind a chance to reach the Disks and get out alive with Goldmoon. Tanis edged toward the Plainsman.
“As I was saying,” the dragon continued smoothly. “I do not choose to fight any of you. How you have escaped my wrath so far, I do not understand. Still, you are here. And you return to me that which was stolen. Yes, Lady of Que-shu, I see you hold the blue crystal staff. Bring it to me.”
Tanis hissed one word to Goldmoon—“Stall!” But, looking at her cool marble face, he wondered if she heard him or if she even heard the dragon. She seemed to be listening to other words, other voices.
“Obey me.” The dragon lowered her head menacingly. “Obey me or the mage dies. And after him—the knight. And then the half-elf. And so on—one after the other, until you, Lady of Que-shu, are the last survivor. Then you will bring me the staff and you will beg me to be merciful.”
Goldmoon bowed her head in submission. Gently pushing Riverwind away with her hand, she turned to Tanis and clasped the half-elf in a loving embrace. “Farewell, my friend,” she said loudly, laying her cheek against his. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I know what I must do. I am going to take the staff to the dragon and—”
“No!” Tanis said fiercely. “It won’t matter. The dragon intends to kill us anyway.”
“Listen to me!” Goldmoon’s nails dug into Tanis’s arm. “Stay with Riverwind, Tanis. Do not let him try to stop me.”
“And if I tried to stop you?” Tanis asked gently, holding Goldmoon close in his arms.
“You won’t,” she said with a sweet, sad smile. “You know that each of us has a destiny to fulfill, as the Forestmaster said. Riverwind will need you. Farewell, my friend.”
Goldmoon stepped back, her clear blue eyes on Riverwind as though she would memorize every detail to keep with her throughout eternity. Realizing she was saying good-bye, he started to go to her.
“Riverwind,” Tanis said softly. “Trust her. She trusted you, all those years. She waited while you fought the battles. Now it is you who must wait. This is her battle.”
Riverwind trembled, then stood still. Tanis could see the veins swell in his neck, his jaw muscles clench. The half-elf gripped the Plainsman’s arm. The tall man didn’t even look at him. His eyes were on Goldmoon.
“What is this delay?” the dragon asked. “I grow bored. Come forward.”
Goldmoon turned away from Riverwind. She walked past Flint and Tasslehoff. The dwarf bowed his head. Tas watched wide-eyed and solemn. Somehow this wasn’t as exciting as he had imagined. For the first time in his life, the kender felt small and helpless and alone. It was a horrible, unpleasant feeling, and he thought death might be preferable.
Goldmoon stopped near Caramon, put her hand on his arm. “Don’t worry,” she said to the big warrior, who was staring at his brother in agony, “he’ll be all right.” Caramon choked and nodded. And then Goldmoon neared Sturm. Suddenly, as if the horror of the dragon was too overwhelming, she slumped forward. The knight caught her and held her.
“Come with me, Sturm,” Goldmoon whispered as he put his arm around her. “You must vow to do