smell of horse dung in the street. The merchant's stalls and shops of Herbalists Street were marked by bunches of

dried plants hanging upside down in the sunshine. Baskets of seeds and dried leaves were arranged artfully along

the roadside to tempt passersby into making purchases.

Raistlin asked Tanis to halt the wagon. "There are herbs here that I do not grow, some of which I am not familiar

with. I would like to replenish my own supplies, as well as discuss their uses."

Tanis told Raistlin how to find Flint's place on the fairgrounds and bade him have fun. Raistlin jumped down from

the wagon. Caramon followed, as a matter of course. Tasslehoff was in an agony of indecision, trying to decide

whether to go with Raistlin or stay with Flint. Flint and the fairgrounds won out, mainly because, having peered up

this street, the kender could see nothing except plants, and while plants were interesting, they just didn't compare to

the wonders he knew awaited him at the fairgrounds.

Raistlin would have never permitted the kender to accompany him, but Tas's decision spared him an argument.

He was not certain what to do with Caramon, however. Raistlin had planned to visit the mageware shop alone and in

secret. He had told no one that he intended to go to the shop. He had told no one what he hoped to purchase. His

instinct was to keep his secret, order his brother to go with Flint.

Raistlin rarely discussed his arcane art with his brother, never with his friends.He had not, since the days of his

youthdays that he looked back upon and blushed over in shame flaunted or openly displayed his magical skills.

He was well aware that his magic made some people nervous and uneasy. As well it should. Magic gave him a

power over people, a power in which he reveled. He was wise enough to realize, however, that such power would be

diminished if he used it repeatedly. Even magic becomes ordinary if used every day.

Raistlin's views toward people had changed over the years. Once he had sought to be loved and admired, much as

his brother was loved and admired. Now, as Raistlin had come to understand himself, he faced the fact that he would

never win the type of regard given his twin. In the house of Caramon's soul, the door stood always wide open, the

window shutters were flung wide, the sun shone daily, anyone was welcome. There was not much furniture in

Caramon's house. Visitors could see into every corner.

The house of Raistlin's soul was far different. The door was kept barred, opened only a crack to visitors, and then

only a very few were permitted to cross the threshold. Once there, they were not allowed to come much farther. His

windows were shut and shuttered. Here and there a candle gleamed, a warm spot in the darkness. His house was

filled with furniture and objects strange and wonderful, but it was not messy or cluttered. He could instantly lay his

hand on whatever was needed. Visitors could not find his corners, much less pry into them. Small wonder they never

liked to stay long, were reluctant to return.

"Where are we going?" Caramon asked.

It was on the tip of Raistlin's tongue to order his brother back into the wagon. He rethought the matter, however.

Without responding, he set off at a rapid walk down the street, leaving Caramon to stand flat-footed in the middle of

the road.

"It is only common sense that he accompanies me," Raistlin said to himself. "I am a stranger in a strange town. I

have no protection that I am willing to use, except under the most dire circumstances. I require Caramon's aid now

as I will require it in the future. If I do become a war mage, as I intend, I will need to learn to fight at his side. I might

as well get used to having him around."

The latter was said with something of a sigh, especially when Caramon came clomping up alongside, raising a

great cloud of dust and demanding to know again wherethey were going, what they were looking for, and hinting

that they could stop in a tavern along the way.

Raistlin halted. He turned to face his brother with a suddenness that caused Caramon to stumble backward in

order not to step on his twin.

"Listen to me, Caramon. Listen to what I have to say and do not forget it." Raistlin's tone was hard, stern, and he

had the satisfaction of seeing it hit Caramon like a slap in the face. "I am going to a certain place to meet a certain

person and acquire certain merchandise. I am permitting you to accompany me because we are young and will

consequently be taken for easy marks. But know this, my brother. What I do and what I say and what I buy are

private, secret, known only to myself and to you. You will mention nothing of this to Tanis or Flint or Kitiara or

Sturm or anyone else. You will say nothing of where we've been, who I've seen, what I've said or done. You must

promise me this, Caramon."