waist. "It's a gift from an admirer."

None of those present had to look far to find the gift giver. Tanis Half-Elven watched Kit's every movement

with open admiration.

"I've heard a lot about you, Flint," Kit added. "All good, of course."

"I haven't heard a thing about you," Flint returned, with his

customary bluntness. "But I'll wager I will." He looked at Tanis, and mingled with his affection for his friend was a

hint of concern. "Where did you two meet?"

"Outside of Qualinesti," said Tanis. "I was on my way back to Solace when I heard screams coming out of the

woods. I went to investigate and found what I thought was this young woman being attacked by a goblin. I ran to her

aid, only to discover that I'd been mistaken. The screams I'd heard were coming from the goblin."

"Qualinesti," Flint said, eyeing Kit. "What were you-a human-doing in Qualinesti?"

"I wasn't in Qualinesti," Kit said. "I was just near there. I've been in those parts several times. I pass through them

on myway here."

"Way through from where?" Flint wondered.

Kit either didn't hear his question or she ignored it. He was about to repeat himself when she motioned her

brothers to step forward for introductions.

"I'm Tanis Half-Elven," said Tanis, offering his hand.

Caramon, in his enthusiasm, almost shook the half-elf's hand off. Raistlin brushed his fingers across the half-elf's

palm.

"I'm Caramon Majere, and this is my twin brother, Raistlin. We're Kit's half-brothers, really," Caramon explained.

Raistlin said nothing. He curiously examined the half-elf, about whom he'd heard much, for Flint talked about his

friend daily. Tanis was dressed like a hunter, in a brown leather jerkin of elven make, green shirt and brown hose,

brown traveling boots. He wore a sword at his waist, carried a bow and a quiver of arrows. His elven heritage was not

readily apparent, except perhaps in the finely chiseled bones of his face. If his ears were pointed, it was impossible to

tell, for they were covered over by his long, thick brown hair. He had the height of an elf, the broader girth of a

human.

He was a handsome man, young looking, but possessing the gravity and maturity of a much older man. Small

wonder he had attracted Kit's attention.

Tanis regarded the brothers in his turn, marveling at the coincidence. "Kit and I meet by chance on the road. We

become friends, and then I arrive home to find her brothers and my best friends have become friends! This meeting

was fated, that's all there is to it."

"For a meeting to be fated implies that something significant must come of it in the future. Do you foresee such an

occurrence, sir?" Raistlin asked.

"I ... I guess it could," Tanis stammered, taken aback. He wasn't quite certain how to respond. "In truth, I

meant it as a joke. I didn't intend-"

"Don't mind Raistlin, Tanis," Kitiara interrupted. "He's a deep thinker. The only one in the family, by the way.

Stop being so serious, will you?" she said to her younger brother in an undertone. "I like this man and I don't

want you scaring him off."

She grinned at Tanis, who smiled back at her. Raistlin knew then that the half-elf and his sister were more

than friends. They were lovers. The knowledge and the sudden image in his mind made him feel uncomfortable

and embarrassed. He suddenly disliked the half-elf intensely.

"I'm glad to see you've been keeping my old friend Flint out of trouble, at least," Tanis continued.

Embarrassed himself, he hoped to change to subject.

"Hah! Out of trouble!" Flint glowered. "Dam near drowned me, they did. It's lucky I survived."

The story of an ill-fated boat trip had to be told then and there, with everyone talking at once.

"I found the boat-" Tasslehoff began.

"Caramon, the big lummox, stood up in it-"

"I was only trying to catch a fish, Flint-"

"Upset the whole blasted boat. Gave us all a good soaking-" "Caramon sank like a stone. I know, because I

threw a whole