He killed his own brother?" Antimodes repeated the information Par-Salian had just given him, repeated it

in disbelief.

Antimodes had not been involved in Raistlin's Test. Neither teacher nor mentor of an initiate is allowed to

participate. Antimodes had handled the testing of several of the other young magi. Most had gone quite well, all

had passed, though none had been as dramatic as Raistlin's. Antimodes had been sorry he missed it. He had been

until he heard this. Now he was shocked and deeply disturbed.

"And the young man was given the Red Robes? My friend, are you in your right mind? I cannot conceive of

an act more evil!"

"He killed an illusion of his brother," Par-Salian emphasized. "You have siblings of your own, I believe?" he

asked, with a meaningful smile.

"I know what you're saying, and, yes, there have been times I would have been glad to see my brother

engulfed in flames, but the thought is a long way from the deed. Did Raistlin know it was an illusion?"

"When I asked him that question," Par-Salian replied, "he looked straight at me and said in a tone that I shall

never forget, 'Does it matter?"'

"Poor young man," Antimodes said, sighing. "Poor young men, I should say, since the other twin was a

witness to his own fratricide. Was that truly n ecessary?"

"I deemed it so. Odd as it may seem, though he is the stronger of the two physically, Caramon is far more

dependent on his brother than Raistlin is on him. By this demonstration, I had hoped to sever that unhealthy

connection, to convince

Caramon that he needs to build a life of his own. But I fear that my plan did not succeed. Caramon has fully

exonerated his brother. Raistlin was ill, not in his right mind, not to be held responsible for his own actions. And

now, to complicate matters, Raistlin is more dependent upon his brother than ever."

"How is the young man's health?"

"Not good. He will live, but only because his spirit is strong, stronger than his body."

"So there was a meeting between Raistlin and Fistandantilus. And Raistlin agreed to the bargain. He has

given his life's energy to feed that foul lich!"

"There was a meeting and a bargain," Par-Salian reiterated cautiously. "But I believe that this time

Fistandantilus may have got more than he bargained for."

"Raistlin remembers nothing?"

"Nothing whatsoever. Fistandantilus has seen to that. I do not believe that he wants the young man to

remember. Raistlin may have agreed to the bargain, but he did not die, as did the others. Something kept him

alive and defiant. If Raistlin ever does remember, I think it is Fistandantilus who might be in considerable

danger."

"What does the young man believe happened to him?"

"The Test itself shattered his health, left him with a weakness in his heart and lungs that will plague him the

remainder of his life. He attributes that to the battle with the dark elf. I did not disabuse him of the notion. Were I

to tell him the truth, he would not believe me."

"Do you suppose he will ever come to know the truth?"

"Only if and when he comes to know the truth about himself," Par-Salian answered. "He has to confront and

admit the darkness within. I have given him the eyes to see with, if he will: the hourglass eyes of the sorceress

Raelana. Thus he will view time's passing in all he looks upon. Youth withers before those eyes, beauty fades,

mountains crumble to dust."

"And what do you hope to accomplish by this torture?" Antimodes demanded angrily. He truly thought the

head of the conclave had gone too far.

"To pierce his arrogance. To teach him patience. And as I said, to give him the ability to see inside himself,

should he turn his gaze inward. There will be little joy in his life," Par-Salian admitted, adding, "but then I

foresee little joy for anyone in Ansalon. I did compensate for what you deem my cruelty, however."

"I never said-"

"You didn't need to, my friend. I know how you feel. I have given Raistlin the Staff of Magius, one of our

most powerful artifacts. Though it will be a long time before he knows its true power."