"And a night's lodgings;" added his friend, the sailor, slapping down a handful of coins.
"I believe;" said Raistlin softly, glancing around at the others, "that we have solved our problems."
Thus was born The Red Wizard and His Wonderful Illusions, a traveling road show that is still talked of today as far south as Port Balifor and as par north as the Ruins.
The very next night the red-robed mage began to perform his tricks to an admiring audience of William's friends. The word spread rapidly. After the mage had performed in the Pig and Whistle for about a week, Riverwind-at first opposed to the whale idea-was forced to admit that Raistlin's act seemed likely to solve not only their financial problems but other, more pressing problems as well. The shortage of money was the .mast urgent. The companions might have been able to live off the land-even in the winter, both Riverwind and Tanis being skilled hunters. But they needed money to buy passage on a ship to take them to Sancrist. Once they had the money, they needed to be able to travel freely through enemy-occupied lands.
In his youth, Raistlin had often used his considerable talents at sleight of hand to earn bread far himself and his brother. Although this was frowned on by his master, who threatened to expell the young mage from his school, Raistlin had become quite successful. Now his growing powers in magic gave him a range not possible before. He literally kept his audiences spellbound with tricks and phantasms.
At Raistlin's command, white-winged ships sailed up and down the bar at the Pig and Whistle, birds flew out of soup tureens, while dragons peered through the windows, breathing fire upon the startled guests. In the grand finale, the mageresplendent in red robes sewn by Tika-appeared to be totally consumed in raging flames, only to walk in through the front door moments later (to tumultuous applause) and calmly drink a glass of white wine to the health of the guests.
Within a week, the Pig and Whistle did more business than William had done in a year. Better still-as far as he was concerned-his friends were able to forget their troubles. Soon, however, unwanted guests began to arrive. At first, he had been angered by the appearance of draconians and goblins in the crowd, but Tanis placated him, and William grudgingly permitted them to watch.
Tanis was, in fact, pleased to see them. It worked out well from the half-elf's point of view anti solved their second problem. If the Highlord's troops enjoyed the show and spread the word, the companions could travel the countryside unmolested.
It was their plan-after consulting with William-to make; for Flotsam, a city north of Poet Balifor, located on the Blood
Sea of Istar. Here they hoped to find a ship. No one in Port Bali-for would give them passage, William explained. AL :he local''
shipowners were in the employ of (or their vessels had been; confiscated by) the Dragon Highlords. But Flotsam eras a; known haven for those mere interested in money than politics:; The companions stayed at the Pig and Whistle far a month..?
William provided free room and board and even allowed them to keep all the money they made. Though Riverwind protested this generosity, William stated firmly that all he cared about was seeing his old customers come back.
During this time, Raistlin refined and enlarged his act which, at first consisted only of leis illusions. But the mage tired rapidly, so Tika offered to dance and give him time to rest between acts. Raistlin was dubious, but Tika sewed a costume for herself that was so alluring Caramon was-at first-totally opposed to the scheme. But Tika only laughed at him. Her dancing was a success and increased the money they collected dramatically. Raistlin added her immediately to the act.
Finding the crowds enjoyed this diversion, the mage thought of others. Caramon -blushing furiously-was persuaded to perform feats of strength, the highlight coming when he lifted stout William over his head with one hand. Tanis amazed the crowd with his elven ability to "see" in the dark. But Raistlin was startled one day when Goldmoon came to him as he was counting the money from the previous night's performance.
"I would like to sing in the show tonight;' she said.
Raistlin looked up at her incredulously. His eyes flicked to Riverwind. The tall Plainsman nodded reluctantly.
"You have a powerful voice;' Raistlin said, sliding the money into a pouch and drawing the string tightly. I remember quite well. The last song I heard you sing in the Inn of the Last Home touched off a riot that nearly got us killed:'
Goldmoon flushed, remembering, the fateful song that had introduced her to the group. Scowling, Riverwind laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Come away!" he said harshly, glaring at Raistlin. "I warned You-`
But Goldmoon shook her head stubbornly, lifting her chin in a familiar, imperious gesture. "I will sing;" she said coolly, "and Riverwind will, accompany me. I have written a song:'
"Very well," the mage snapped, slipping the money pouch into I-is robes. "We will try it this evening."
The Pig and Whistle was crowded that night. It was a diverse audience-small children and their parents., sailors, draconians, .,goblins and several kender, who caused everyone to keep an ere on his belongings. William and two helpers bustled about, serving drinks and food. Then the show began.
The crowd applauded Raistlin's spinning coins, laughed when an illusory pig danced upon the bar, and scrambled out of their chairs in terror when a giant troll thundered in through a window. Bowing, the mage left to rest. Tika came on.
The crowd, particularly the draconians, cheered Tika's dancing, banging their mugs on the table.
Then Goldmoon appeared before them, dressed in a gown of pale blue. Her silver-gold hair flowed over her shoulders like water shimmering in the moonlight. The crowd hushed instantly. Saying nothing, she sat down in a chair on the raised platform William lead hastily constructed. So beautiful was she that not a murmur escaped the crowd. All waited expectantly.
Riverwind sat upon the floor at her feet. Putting a handcarved flute to leis lips, he began to play and, after a few moments, Goldmoon's voice blended with the flute. Her song was simple, the melody sweet and harmonious, yet haunting. But it was the words that caught Tanis's attention, causing him to exchange worried glances with Caramon. Raistlin, sitting next to him, grasped hold of Tanis's arm.
"I feared as much!" the mage hissed. "Another riot'"
"Perhaps not," Tanis said, watching. "Look at the audience:"
Women leaned their heads onto their husband's shoulders, children were quiet and attentive. The draconians seemed spellbound-as a wild animal will sometimes beheld by music. Only the goblins shuffled their flapping feet, seemingly bored but so in awe o? the draconians that they dared not protest.
Goldmoon's song was of the ancient gods. She told how the gods had sent the Cataclysm to punish the Kingpriest of Istar and the people of Krynn for their pride. She sang of the terrors of that night and those that followed. She reminded them of how the people, believing, themselves abandoned, had prayed to false gods. Then she gave them a message of hope: the gods had runt abandoned them. The true gods were here, waiting only for someone to listen to them.
After her song ended, and the plaintive wailing of the flute died, most in the crowd shank their treads, seeming to wake froze a pleasant dream.. When asked what the song had been about, they couldn't say. The draconians shrugged and called far mare ale. The goblins shouted for Ti ka to dance again. But, here and there, Tanis noticed a face still holding the wonder had warn during the song. And he was not surprised to see, young, dark-skinned woman approach Goldmoon shyly.
"I ask your pardon for disturbing you, my lady;' Tanis aheard the woman say, "but your song touched me deeply, I. want to learn of the ancient gods, to learn their ways."
Goldmoon smiled. "Come to me tomorrow;' she said, "an
shall teach you what I know:"
And thus, slowly, word of the ancient gods began to spread
Jay the time they left Port Balifor, the dark-skinned woman soft-voiced young man, and several other people wore the bl medallion of Mishakal, Goddess of Healing. Secretly they w‹ forth, bringing hope to the dark and troubled land.
By the end of the month, the companions were able to by
wagon, horses to pull it, horses to ride, and supplies. What w left went toward purchase of ship's passage to Sancrist. The
planned to add to their money by performing in the small fan ing communities between Port Balifor and Flotsam.
When the Red Wizard left Port Balifor shortly before t
Yuletide season, leis wagon was seen on its way by enthusiast' crowds. Packed with their costumes, supplies for two month
and a keg of ale (provided by William), the wagon was enough for Raistlin to sleep and travel inside. It also held t
multi-colored, striped tents in which the others would live.
Tanis glanced around at the strange sight they made, shaking his head. It seemed tl•at-in the midst of everything else that had happened to them-this was the most bizarre. He loot: at Raistiin sitting beside his brother, who drove the wagon. T
mage's red-sequined robes blazed like flame in the bright win sunlight. Shoulders hunched against the wind, Raistlin star
straight ahead, wrapped in a show of mystery that delighted the crowd. Caramon, dressed in a bearskin suit (a present
William's), had pulled the head of the bear over his own, r:
ing it look as though a bear drove the wagon. The child cheered as he growled at them in mock ferocity.
They were nearly out of town when a draconian command stopped them. Tanis,, his heart caught in his throat, rode f ward, his hand pressed against his sword. But the command only wanted to make certain they passed through Bloodwa