Dragons of Winter Night - Margaret Weis [163]
“But—my lord—” the innkeeper said hesitantly, “there have been messages from Dragon Highlord Ariakas.…”
“If you show your face in this room—after you bring the wine—I’ll cut off your ears,” Kitiara said pleasantly. But, as she spoke, she drew a gleaming dagger from her belt.
The innkeeper turned pale, nodded, and left hurriedly.
Kit laughed. “There!” she said, wiggling her toes in their blue silken hose. “Now, I’ll take off your boots—”
“I—I really must go,” Tanis said, sweating beneath his armor. “My c-company commander will be missing me …”
“But I’m commander of your company!” Kit said gaily. “And tomorrow you’ll be commander of your company. Or higher, if you like. Now, sit down.”
Tanis could do nothing but obey, knowing, however, that in his heart he wanted to do nothing but obey.
“It’s so good to see you,” Kit said, kneeling before him and tugging at his boot. “I’m sorry I missed the reunion in Solace. How is everyone? How is Sturm? Probably fighting with the Knights, I suppose. I’m not surprised you two separated. That was one friendship I never could understand—”
Kitiara talked on, but Tanis ceased to listen. He could only look at her. He had forgotten how lovely she was, how sensual, inviting. Desperately he concentrated on his own danger. But all he could think of were nights of bliss spent with Kitiara.
At that moment, Kit looked up into his eyes. Caught and held by the passion she saw in them, she let his boot slip from her hands. Involuntarily, Tanis reached out and drew her near. Kitiara slid her hand around his neck and pressed her lips against his.
At her touch, the desires and longings that had tormented Tanis for five years surged through his body. Her fragrance, warm and womanly—mingled with the smell of leather and steel. Her kiss was like flame. The pain was unbearable. Tanis knew only one way to end it.
When the innkeeper knocked on the door, he received no answer. Shaking his head in admiration—this was the third man in as many days—he set the wine upon the floor and left.
“And now,” Kitiara murmured sleepily, lying in Tanis’s arms. “Tell me about my little brothers. Are they with you? The last I saw them, you were escaping from Tarsis with that elf woman.”
“That was you!” Tanis said, remembering the blue dragons.
“Of course!” Kit cuddled nearer. “I like the beard,” she said, stroking his face. “It hides those weak elvish features. How did you get into the army?”
How indeed? thought Tanis frantically.
“We … were captured in Silvanesti. One of the officers convinced me I was a fool to fight the D-Dark Queen.”
“And my little brothers?”
“We—we were separated,” Tanis said weakly.
“A pity,” Kit said with a sigh. “I’d like to see them again. Caramon must be a giant by now. And Raistlin—I hear he is quite a skilled mage. Still wearing the Red Robes?”
“I—I guess,” Tanis muttered. “I haven’t seen him—”
“That won’t last long,” Kit said complacently. “He’s like me. Raist always craved power …”
“What about you?” Tanis interrupted quickly. “What are you doing here, so far from the action? The fighting’s north—”
“Why, I’m here for the same reason you are,” Kit answered, opening her eyes wide. “Searching for the Green Gemstone Man, of course.”
“That’s where I’ve seen him before!” Tanis said, memories flooding his mind. The man on the Perechon! The man in Pax Tharkas, escaping with poor Eben. The man with the green gemstone embedded in the center of his chest.
“You’ve found him!” Kitiara said, sitting up eagerly. “Where, Tanis? Where?” Her brown eyes glittered.
“I’m not sure,” Tanis said, faltering. “I’m not sure it was him. I—we were just given a rough description.…”
“He looks about fifty in human years,” Kit said in excitement, “but he has strange, young eyes, and his hands are young. And in the flesh of his chest is a green gemstone. We had reports he was sighted in Flotsam. That’s why the Dark Queen sent me here. He’s the key, Tanis! Find him—and no force on Krynn can stop us!”
“Why?” Tanis made himself ask calmly. “What’s he got that’s so essential to—uh—our side winning