be overheard in the chamber, a chamber that stood alone in the topmost part of the tower, a chamber to which no

one but the two of them had access.

"Yes, I fear so," said Par-Salian, looking grave. "He will take particular interest in this young man."

"We should finish him, once and for all."

"We've tried," Par-Salian said. "And you know the results as well as I do. We cannot touch him on his plane

of existence. Not only that, but I suspect that Nuitari guards him."

"He should. He never had a more loyal servant. Talk of murders!" Leaning forward, Antimodes spoke in a

conspiratorial undertone. "We could limit the young man's access to him."

"And what of freedom of will? That has always been the hallmark of our orders. A freedom many have

sacrificed their lives to protect! Do we throw the right to choose our own destinies to the Abyss?"

Antimodes was chastened. "Forgive me, friend. I spoke in haste. I am fond of the young man, though. Fond

and proud of him. He has done me great credit. I would hate to see harm befall him."

"Indeed he has done you credit. And he will continue to do

so, I hope. His own choices will lead him on the path he is to

walk, as our choices led us. I trust they may be wise ones." "The Test will be hard on him. He is a frail youth."

"The blade must pass through the fire, else it will break." "And if he dies? What of your plans then?"

"Then I will look for someone else. Ladonna spoke to me of

a promising young elf magus. His name is Dalamar...."

Their conversation turned to other matters, to Ladonna's

pupil, dire events in the world, and eventually to the area that

interested them most-magic.

Above the Tower, silver Solinari and red Lunitari shone brightly. Nuitari was there as well, a dark hole in the

constellations. The three moons were full this night, as was necessary for the Test.

In the lands beyond the tower, far, far away from the room where the two archmagi sipped their elven wine

and spoke of the fate of the world, the young mages who were traveling to the Tower to take the Test slept

restlessly, if they slept at all. In the morning, the Forest of Wayreth would find them, lead them to their fate.

Tomorrow some might sleep, never to wake again.

The twins' journey to the tower took them over a month. They had expected it would take longer, for they had

thought they would be traveling on foot. Shortly after

their friends had left Solace, a messenger arrived to say that two horses had been delivered to the public stables in

the name of Majere. The horses were gifts from Raistlin's sponsor, Antimodes.

The young men traveled southwest through Haven. Raistlin stopped to pay his respects to Lemuel, who reported

that the temple of Belzor had been razed, its stone blocks used to build homes for the poor. This had been

accomplished under the auspices of a new and apparently harmless religious order known as the Seekers. Lemuel

had reopened his mageware shop. He showed Raistlin the black bryony, which was flourishing. He asked where they

were bound. Raistlin replied that they were traveling for fun, taking a roundabout route to Pax Tharkas.

Lemuel looked very grave at this, wished them luck and a safe road many times, and sighed deeply whenthey left.

The two continued their journey, riding south along the western slopes of the Kharolis Mountains, skirting the

borders of Qualinesti.

Although they kept close watch, they saw no elves. Yet the two were always aware of the elves watching them.

Caramon suggested visiting Tanis, seeing the elven kingdom. Raistlin reminded him that their journey was secret,

they were supposed to be in Pax Tharkas. Besides, he doubted if they would be able to convince the elves to admit

them. The Qualinesti took more kindly to humans than did their cousins, the Silvanesti, but with evil rumors flying

on dark wings from the north, the Qualinesti were wary of strangers.

On the last morning of their journey along the border, the two woke to find an elven arrow embedded at the foot of

each of their bedrolls. The Qualinesti's message was clear: We have allowed you to pass, but don't come back.

The brothers breathed a little easier once they were out of elven lands, but they could not relax their vigilance, for

now began their search for the wayward Forest of Wayreth. The lands in this part of Abanasinia were wild and

desolate. Once the two were set upon by thieves, another time a band of goblins passed by so near that the twins

could have reached out and smacked one on its scaly hide.