"Sturm says that there are strange people moving into the north, into Solamnia. Evil people, who want only to

foment trouble for the knights, drive them out so that they can move in and seize control."

"And who are these unknown evil-doers?" Raistlin asked caustically.

"He doesn't know, but he thinks they have something to do with the old gods," Caramon replied, shrugging.

"Indeed?" Raistlin was suddenly thoughtful, recalling Kitiara's offer, her talk of powerful gods. He was also

thinking back to his own experience with the gods, an experience he had wondered about since. Had it really

happened? Or had it happened because he wanted it so much?

Caramon had spilled some water on the table, and now he was damming it up with his knife and fork, trying to

divert the course of the tiny river so that it wouldn't drip onto the floor. He was busy with this as he spoke and

did not look at his brother. "I said no. She wouldn't have let you go on with your schooling."

"What are you talking about?" Raistlin asked sharply, looking up. "Who wouldn't let me go on with my

schooling?"

"Lady Brightblade."

"She said that, did she?"

"Yeah," Caramon answered. He added a spoon to the dam. "It's nothing against you, Raist," he added, looking

up to see his brother's thin face grow hard and cold. "The Solamnic knights

think that magic-users are outside the natural order of things. They never use wizards in battle, according to what

Sturm says. Wizards lack discipline and they're too independent."

"We like to think for ourselves," said Raistlin, "and not blindly obey some fool commander who may or not

have a brain in his head. Yet they say," he added, "that Magius fought at the side of Huma and that he was

Huma's dearest friend."

"I know about Huma," Caramon said, glad to change the subject. "Sturm told me stories about him and how,

long ago, he fought the Queen of Darkness and banished all the dragons. But I never heard of this Magius."

"No doubt the knights would like to forget that part of the tale. Just as Huma was one of the greatest warriors

of all time, so Magius was one of the greatest wizards. During a battle fought against the forces of Takhisis,

Magius was separated from Huma's side. The wizard fought on alone, surrounded by the enemy, until, wounded

and exhausted, he could no longer summon the strength to cast his magic. That was in the days when wizards

were not allowed to carry any weapon other than their magic. Magius was captured alive and dragged back to the

Dark Queen's camp.

"They tortured him for three days and three nights, trying to force him to reveal the location of Huma's

encampment so they could send assassins to kill the knight. Magius died, never revealing the truth. It was said

that when Huma received the news of Magius's death and learned how he had died, he grieved so for his friend

that his men thought they might lose him as well.

"Huma ordered that, from then on, wizards would be permitted to carry one small, bladed weapon, to be used

as a last defense if their magic failed them. This we do in the name of Magius to this day."

"That's a great story," Caramon said, so impressed he let his river overflow. He went to fetch a cloth to wipe

up the water. "I'll have to tell that to Sturm."

"You do that," Raistlin saidwryly."I'll be interested to hear what he has to say." He watched Caramon clean

the floor, then said, "We have chosen not to join forces with our sister. We have decided that we do not want to

be taken under the wing of a noble Solamnic lady. What do you suggest we do?"

"I say we live here, Raist," Caramon answered steadily. He stood up from his mopping. Hands on his hips, he

surveyed the house as if he were a potential buyer. "The house is ours free

and clear. Father built it himself. He didn't leave any debts. We don't owe anybody anything. Your school's paid

for. We don't have to worry about that. I earn enough working for Farmer Sedge to keep us in food and clothes."

"It will be lonely for you when I am gone in the winter," Raistlin observed.

Caramon shrugged. "I can always stay with the Sedges. I do sometimes anyway if the snow blocks the road.

Or I can stay with Sturm or some of our other friends."

Raistlin sat silent, brooding, frowning.

"What's the matter, Raist?" Caramon asked uneasily. "Don't you think it's a good plan"

"I think it's an excellent plan, my brother. I don't feel right about you supporting me, however."