Dragons of Winter Night - Margaret Weis [153]
“At present,” Theros announced, “we have only those few lances I was able to forge by myself within a month’s time, and I bring several ancient lances the silver dragons hid at the time the dragons were banished from the world. But we’ll need more, many more. I need men to help me!”
The elves agreed to provide men to help make the dragonlances, but whether or not they would help fight—
“That remains a matter we must discuss,” the Speaker said.
“Don’t discuss it too long,” Flint Fireforge snapped, “or you might find yourself discussing it with a Dragon Highlord.”
“The elves keep their own counsel and ask for no advice from dwarves,” the Speaker replied coldly. “Besides, we do not even know if these lances work! The legend said they were to be forged by one of the Silver Arm, that is certain. But it also says that the Hammer of Kharas was needed in the forging. Where is the Hammer now?” he asked Theros.
“The Hammer could not be brought here in time, even if it could be kept from the dragonarmies. The Hammer of Kharas was required in days of old, because man’s skill was not sufficient by itself to produce the lances. Mine is,” he added proudly. “You saw what the lance did to that rock.”
“We shall see what it does to dragons,” the Speaker said, and the Second Council of Whitestone drew to a close. Gunthar proposed at the last that the lances Theros had brought with him be sent to the knights in Palanthas.
These thoughts passed through Laurana’s mind as she stared out across the bleak winter landscape. It would be snowing in the valley soon, Lord Gunthar said.
I cannot stay here, Laurana thought, pressing her face against the chill glass. I shall go mad.
“I’ve studied Gunthar’s maps,” she murmured, almost speaking to herself, “and I’ve seen the location of the dragonarmies. Tanis will never reach Sancrist. And if he does have the orb, he may not know the danger it poses. I must warn him.”
“My dear, you’re not talking sensibly,” Elistan said mildly. “If Tanis cannot reach Sancrist safely, how will you reach him? Think logically, Laurana—”
“I don’t want to think logically!” Laurana cried, stomping her foot and glaring angrily at the cleric. “I’m sick of being sensible! I’m tired of this whole war. I’ve done my part—more than my part. I just want to find Tanis!”
Seeing Elistan’s sympathetic face, Laurana sighed. “I’m sorry, my dear friend. I know what you say is true,” she said, ashamed. “But I can’t stay here and do nothing!”
Though Laurana didn’t mention it, she had another concern. That human woman, that Kitiara. Where was she? Were they together as she had seen in the dream? Laurana realized now, suddenly, that the remembered image of Kitiara standing with Tanis’s arm around her was more disturbing than the image she had seen of her own death.
At that moment, Lord Gunthar suddenly entered the room.
“Oh!” he said, startled, seeing Elistan and Laurana. “I’m sorry, I hope I am not disturbing—”
“Please, no, come in,” Laurana said quickly.
“Thank you,” Gunthar said, stepping inside and carefully shutting the door, first glancing down the hallway to make certain no one was near. He joined them at the window. “Actually I needed to talk to you both, anyway. I sent Wills looking for you. This is best, however. No one knows we’re speaking.”
More intrigue, Laurana thought wearily. Throughout their journey to Gunthar’s castle, she had heard about nothing but the political infighting that was destroying the Knighthood.
Shocked and outraged at Gunthar’s story of Sturm’s trial, Laurana had gone before a Council of Knights to speak in Sturm’s defense. Although the appearance of a woman at a Council was unheard of, the knights were impressed by this vibrant, beautiful young woman’s eloquent speech on Sturm’s behalf. The fact that Laurana was a member of the royal elven household, and that she had brought the dragonlances, also spoke highly in her favor.
Even Derek’s faction—those that remained—were hard-pressed to fault her. But the