worship of Belzor into Solace. Her first act when she arrived in town would be to seek out any magi who might

prove to be a threat. My mother, who had some reputation as a seer, was an obvious choice. All the while Judith

lived in Solace, she endeavored to build up her following. She was not performing any 'miracles' then. Perhaps

she had not yet mastered the technique, or perhaps she was waiting until she had a suitable location and audience.

Before she could proceed, however, you and Tanis thwarted her plan. Judith realized at my father's funeral that

the people of Solace were not likely to fall in with her schemes.

"As we saw tonight, Judith and the High Priest of Belzor, who is probably her partner in this scheme, feed on

people's worst qualities: fear, prejudice, and greed. The residents of Solace tend to be less fearful of strangers,

more accepting of others simply because the town is a crossroads."

"It is an ugly game that widow woman's playing, bilking people out of what little they have," Flint stated

grimly. He looked quite fierce, his brows bristled. "Not to mention tormenting that poor lass who lost her babe."

"It is an ugly game," Raistlin concurred. "And one I believe that we can end."

"I'm in," said Kit immediately.

"Me, too," Caramon said promptly, but that was a foregone conclusion. If his twin had proposed setting off on

an expedition to find the Graygem of Gargath, Caramon would have started packing.

"If these 'miracles' are in reality nothing more than the deceitful tricks of a mage, then it is my duty to expose

her," Sturm said.

Raistlin smiled grimly, and bit back a sharp retort. He had need of the erstwhile knight.

"I wouldn't mind giving that widow a blackeye,"said Flint reflectively. "What do you say, Tanis?"

"I want to hear Raistlin's plan first," Tanis stated with his customary caution. "Attacking people's faith is

dangerous,

more dangerous than attacking them physically."

"Count me in," said Tasslehoff, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "What are we doing?

"Whatever it is, we don't need a kender," Flint said grumpily. "Go to sleep. Or, better yet, why don't you go

back and tell 'em how to run their jail."

"Oh, I already did that," Tas said, sensing the excitement and waking up quickly. "They were extremely rude,

even when I offered my most helpful suggestions. Can I come, too, Raistlin? Please? Where are we going?"

"No kender," said Flint emphatically.

"The kender may come," Raistlin said. "As a matter of fact, Tasslehoff is the key to my plans."

"There! You see, Flint!" Tas jumped to his feet, tapped himself proudly on the chest. "Me! I'm the key to the

plan!" "Reorx help us!" Flint groaned.

"I hope he will," Raistlin replied gravely.

Raistlin was up early the next day; he had been awake

much of the night, finally falling into an uneasy sleep in

the early hours of the morning. He woke from a dream he could not recall, but which left a feeling of disquiet

in his mind. He had the impression he'd been dreaming about his mother.

Flint and Tanis were up early as well, arranging and rearranging the wares to best advantage. They had placed the

bracers, with their beautiful engravings of griffins, dragons, and other mythical beasts, on a front shelf. Necklaces of

silver braid, fine and delicate work, were laid out on red velvet. Silver and gold lover's rings, made to resemble

clinging ivy, gleamed in wooden cases.

Flint was not happy with the way the wares were displayed, however. He was certain that the morning sun would

cast a shadow over the stall, and that therefore the silver must go here, not there. Tanis listened patiently, reminded

Flint that they'd been through this yesterday, and due to the shadow of an overhanging oak, the sun rays would fall

on the silver and set the jewels sparkling only if it remained where it was.

They were still arguing when Raistlin went to the men'sprivies to perform his ablutions, splashing cold water

from a communal bucket over his face and body. Shivering, he dressed quickly in his white robes. Caramon

remained asleep inside their tent, snoring off the effects of the opiated smoke.

The air was chill and crisp, the sun was reddening the mountain peaks, already white from a smattering of snow.

No clouds marred the sky. The day would warm pleasantly; the crowds at the fair would be brisk.

Flint called out for Raistlin to come settle the argument on