Lemuel gazed at Raistlin anxiously. "Did they hurt you?" "No, sir. I have taken no hurt, thank you. I am only a

little dazed by it all."

"This ointment"-Lemuel held up a small jar-"I made it myself. It comes from the aloe-"

"Thank you," said Raistlin, accepting the jar. "I don't need it, but I believe that my brother could use it."

He cast a glance at Caramon's hands, which were burned and blistered. Caramon flushed and grinned self -

consciously, thrust his hands behind his back.

"Thank you for the knife," Raistlin added, offering to return it. "Fortunately I had no need to use it."

"Keep it! It's the least 1 can do. Thanks to you, young man, I won't have to leave my home."

"But you have given me your books," Raistlin argued, holding out the knife.

Lemuel waved the knife away. "It belonged to my father. He would have wanted a magus like you to have it.

It certainly does me no good, although I did find it useful to aerate the soil around my gardenias. There's a quaint

sort of leather thong that goes with it. He used to wear the knife concealed on his arm. A wizard's last defense, he

called it."

The knife was a very fine one, made of sharp steel. By the slight tingle he experienced holding it, Raistlin

guessed that it had been imbued with magic. He thrust the knife into his belt and shook hands most warmly with

Lemuel.

"We'll be stopping by later for those books," Raistlin said.

"I should be very pleased if you and your friends would take tea with me," Lemuel replied, with a polite bow.

After more bows and further introductions and promises to drop by on their way out of town, Lemuel

departed, eager to put his uprooted plants back in the ground.

This left the companions alone. The citizens who had surrounded the temple were dispersing. Rumor had it

that the priests of Belzor had escaped by way of certain underground passages and were fleeing for their lives

into the mountains. There was talk of forming a hunting party to go after them. It was now almost dawn. The

morning was raw and chill. The drunks were dull-headed and sleepy. Men recalled that they had to work in the

fields, women suddenly remembered their children left home alone. The citizens of Haven straggled off, left the

priests to the goblins and ogres in the mountains.

The companions turned their steps back to the fairgrounds. The fair lasted for one more day, but Flint had

already announced his intention of leaving.

"I'll not spend one minute longer than need be in this foul city. The people here are daft. Just plain daft. First

snakes, then hangings, now burnings. Daft," he muttered into his beard.

"Just plain daft."

"You'll miss a day's sales," Tanis observed.

"I don't want their money," the dwarf said flatly. "Likely it's cursed. I'm seriously considering giving away what I've

already taken."

He didn't, of course. The strongbox containing the money would be the first object the dwarf packed, stowing it

securely and secretly underneath the wagon's seat.

"I want to thank you all," Raistlin said as they walked along the empty streets. "And I want to apologize for putting

you at risk. You were right, Tanis. I underestimated these people. I didn't realize how truly dangerous they were. I

will know better next time."

"Let's hope there isn't a next time," Tanis said, smiling. "And I want to thank you, Kitiara," Raistlin said.

"For what?" Kit smiled her crooked smile. "For rescuing

you?"

"Yes," said Raistlin dryly. "For rescuing me."

"Anytime!" Kit said, laughing and slapping him on the shoulder. "Anytime."

Caramon looked upset at this, and solemn. He turned his head away.

Battle suited Kitiara. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glittered, her lips were red, as if she had drunk the blood

she spilled. Kit, still laughing, took hold of Tanis's arm, hugged him close. "You are a very fine swordsman, my friend.

You could earn a good living with that blade of yours. I'm surprised you haven't considered something in the

mercenary line."

"I earn a good living now. A safe living," he added, but he was smiling at her, pleased by her admiration.