"Raist knows a story about Huma." Caramon was pleased to see the two almost friendly. "Tell it, Raist."

When he heard that the story dealt with magic-users, Sturm frowned again and pulled at his mustaches, but the

frown gradually lessened as the story went along. He gave it grudging approval at the end, stating with a brusque

nod, "The wizard showed great courage-for a magic-user."

Caramon flinched, fearing his brother would take offense at this remark and launch an attack. But Raistlin, his

tale concluded, was watching Kitiara, did not even appear to have heard Sturm's comment. Relaxing, Caramon

gulped down his ale, called for another, and yelped in pain as a small girl with fiery red curls leapt on him from

behind, crawled like a squirrel up his back.

"Ouch! Confound it, Tika!" Caramon endeavored to rid himself of the child. "Aren't you supposed to be in

bed?" he demanded, glaring around at the little girl with a mock ferocity that made her giggle. "Where's Waylan,

your good-for-nothing father?"

"I don't know," the youngster replied with equanimity. "He went off somewhere. He's always going off

somewhere. I'm staying with Otik until he comes back."

Otik bustled over, apologizing and scolding in the same breath. "I'm sorry, Caramon. Here, you young imp,

what are you doing bothering the customers?" He grasped the child

firmly, led her off. "You know better than that!"

"'Bye, Caramon!" Tika called, waving her hand delightedly. "What an ugly little kid," Caramon muttered, turning

back

to his drink. "Did you ever see so many freckles?"

Raistlin had taken advantage of the distraction to lean over to

his sister. "What do you think, Kit?" he asked with a slight smile. "About what?" she asked nonchalantly. Her gaze

was fixed

on Tanis, who had gone to the bar for two more ales. "Dragons," he said.

Kit cast him a sharp glance.

Raistlin met her scrutinizing gaze with bland innocence.

Kit shrugged, gave an affected laugh. "I don't think about dragons at all. Why should I?"

"It's just that I saw your expression change when I first brought up the subject. As if you were going to say

something, then didn't. You've traveled so much. I'd be interested to hear what you had to say," he concluded

respectfully.

"Pah!" Kit was brusque, appeared displeased. "The expression on my face was pain. My stomach's churning. I

think that venison Otik fed us tonight was tainted. You were wise not to eat it. I've heard enough about Solamnic

knights and about dragons," she added when Tanis returned. "It's silly arguing about something no one can prove.

Let's change the subject."

"Very well," said Raistlin. "Let's talk about the gods, then."

"Gods! That's even worse!" Kit said, groaning. "I suppose you've become a convert of Belzor now, little brother, and

that you're going to proselytize. Let's leave, Tanis, before he starts his harangue."

"I am not speaking of Belzor" Raistlin returned with a touch of asperity. "I am speaking of the old gods, those who

were worshiped before the Cataclysm. The old gods were equated with dragons, and it is said that some of them

existed in dragon form. Queen Takhisis, for example. Like her image on the coin. It seems to me that a belief in

dragons must of necessity argue a belief in these gods. Or the other way round."

Everyone-with the exception of Kit, who rolled her eyes and kicked Tanis underneath the table -had an opinion.

Sturm stated that he'd done some thinking about this since their last conversation, had spoken to his mother about

Paladine. His mother stated that the knights still believed in the god of light. They were waiting for Paladine to return

home with an apology for being gone so long. If so, the knights might be willing to forgive and forget the god's past

misdeeds.

The elves, according to Tanis, were convinced that the gods-all the gods-had left the world due to the

wickedness of humans. When humans were finally eradicated from the world-which must surely happen,

since they were notoriously combative-then the true gods would return.

After giving the matter considerable thought, Flint was inclined to believe that Reorx, having been fed lies

by the mountain dwarves, was holed up inside Thorbardin, with no knowledge that the hill dwarves were in