.
only led back up the other two giant hallways. This was the heart of the Tower. This was the sacred place. Ths was *,vhat all the fuss was about.
Nothing.
Tas walked around a bit, shining his t.orchlight here and there. Finally the disgruntled kender went to examine the fountain in the center of the room before leaving.
As Tas drew closer, he saw it wasn't a fountain at all, bu t the
dust was so thick, he couldn't figure it out, it was about as tall as the kender, standing four feet off the ground. 'I 'he round tap was supported on a slender three-legged) Stand..
Tas inspected the object closely, the he took a deep breath and blew as hard as he could. Dust flew up his nose and hHe sneezed violently, nearly dropping the torch. For a moment he couldn't see a thing. Then the dust settled and he could see the object. His heart leaped into his throat.
"Oh, no!" Tas groaned. Diving into another pouch, he pulled out a handkerchief and rubbed the object. The dust came off easily, and he knew now what it was. "Drat!" he said in despair. "L was right. Now what do I do?"
The sun rose red the next morning, glimmering through a haze of smoke hovering above the dragonarmies. In the court-.. yard of the Tower of the High Clerist, the shadows of night hats; not yet lifted before activity began. One hundred knight mounted their horses, adjusted the girths, called for shields, buckled on armor, while a thousand footmen milled aroun searching for their proper places in line.
Sturm, Laurana, and Lord Alfred stood in a dark doorw watching in silence as Lord Derek, laughing and calling jokes to his men, rode into the courtyard. The knight resplendent in his armor, the rose glistening on his breas in the first rays of the sun. His men were in good spirits, thought of battle making them forget their hunger.
"You've got to stop this, my lord;" Sturm said quietly.
"I can't!" Lord Alfred said, pulling on his gloves. His ` was haggard in the morning light. He had not slept since St awakened him in the waning hours of the night. "The I5I gives him the right to make this decision:"
In vain had Alfred argued with Derek, trying to co him to wait just a few more days! Already the wind was ffig to shift, bringing warm breezes from the north.
But Derek had been adamant. He would ride out and lienge the dragonarmies 4n the field. As for being outrvum he laughed in scorn. Since when do goblins fight lilee ' Solamnia? The Knights had been outnumbered fifty toV nhe Goblin and Ogre wars. of the Vingaard Keep one h years. ago, and they'd routed the creatures with ease!
"But you'll be fighting draconians;' Sturm warned. mot like goblins. They are intelligent and skilled. They have magic-users among their ranks, and their weapons are the best in Krynn. Even in death they have the power to kill"
"I believe we can deal with them, Brightblade;" Derek interrupted harshly, "And now I suggest you ,make your men and tell them to make ready."
"I'm not going;" Sturm said steadily. "And I'm not ordering my men to go, either:'
Derek paled with fury. For a moment he could not speak, he
was so angry. Even Lord Alfred appeared shocked.
"Sturm," Alfred began slowly, "do you know what you are doing?"
"Yes, my lord;' Sturm answered. 'We are the only thing
standing between the dragonarmies' and Palanthas. We dare not leave this garrison unmanned. I'm keeping my command here: '
"Disobeying a direct order," Derek said, breathing heavily, "You are a witness, Lord Alfred. I'll have his headthis time!" He stalked out- Lord Alfred, his fate grim, Sturm alone, frollowed, leaving. In the end, Sturm had given his men a choice. They could stay with him at no risk to themselves--since they were simply obeying tile orders of their commanding officer-or they could accompany Derek. It was, he mentioned, the same choice Vinas 5olamnus had given his men long ago, when the Knights rebelled against the corrupt Emperor of Ergoth. The men did not need to be reminded of this legend. They saw ;,t as a sign
and, as with Solamnus, most of them, chose to stay with the commander they had come to respect and admire,
n'ow they stood' watching, their faces grim as their friend's
Prepared to ridb out. It was the firs.*, open break in the long history of the Knighthood, and tike moment was grievous,
Reconsider, St;lrm; " Load Alfred said as the knigFtt helped him mount his horse. "Lord Derek is right. The dragonarmies
obi trot been trained, natLike the,Y,„~r,ights. There`s everypaob-
y we'll routes them with barely a blow beingstruck' ,I pray that is trice, my lorc],•, Stu. said steadily.
Alfred regarded him sadly. "If et iatrue, Brightblade, Derek
x''"'IIlee You trie-d and executed for this, There'll benoth-ing urlthar can do to stop him:"
"I would willi•LgPyP die that death zI-ey lord; if it would' s'ap what I fear wili hopper,;' Stem repli,E~. .,Damn at, man!" Lord Alfred exploded. "If we are defeated, what will you gain by staying here? You couldn't hold off an army of gully dwarves with your small contingent of menl Suppose the roads do open up? You won't be able to hold the Tower long enough far Palanthas to send reinforcements:'
"At the least we can buy Palanthas time to evacuate her citizens, if-"
Card Derek Crownguard edged his horse between those of his men. Glaring down at Sturm, his eyes glittering from behind the slits in his helm, Lord Derek raised his hand for silence.
"According to the Measure, Sturm Brightblade," Derek began formally, "I hereby charge you with conspiracy and-"
'To the Abyss with the Measure!" Sturm snarled, his patience snagging. "Where has the Measure gotten us? Divided, jealous, crazed! Even our own people prefer to treat with the armies of oar enemies! Tine Measure has failed!"
A deathly hush settled over the knights in the courtyard, brakes only by the restless pawing of a horse or the jingle of armor as here and there a man shifted in his saddle.
"Pray for my death, Sturm Brightblade;" Derek said softly, "ar by the gods I'll slit your throat at your execution myself!" Without another word, he wheeled his horse around and cantered to the head of the column.
"Open t=Ie gates!" he called.
The morning sun climbed above the smoke, rising into the blue sky. The windsb:ew from the north, fluttering the flag flying bravely from the bog of the Tower. Armor flashed. There e was a clatter of swords against shields and the sound of a trumpet call as men rushed to open the thick wooden gates.
Derek raised his sword high in. the air.. Lifting his voice in the knight's sa:ute to the enemy, he galloped forward. The knights' behind him picked up his ringing challenge and rode forth out:;l onto the fields where-long age-Huma had ridden to glorious victor-y. The footmen marched, their footsteps beating a tattoo, upon the stone pavement. For a moment, lord Alfred seemed' about to speak to St-arm and the young krnights who stood, watching. But he on] y shook lvs head and r.oxle away..
The gates swung shut behind him. The heavy iron bar was dropped down to lock them securely. The men in Sturm's command ran to 6e battlements to watch.
Sturm stood silently in the center of the courtyard, his gaunt face expressionless.
The young and handsome commander of the dragonarmies in the Dark Lady's absence was just waking to breakfast and the start of another boring day when a scout galloped into camp.
Commander Bakaris glared at the scout in disgust. The man was riding through camp wildly, his horse scattering cooking pots and goblins. Draconian guards leaped to their feet, shaking their fists and cursing. But the scout ignored them.