Sturm shook his head, swallowing a choking thickness in his throat. His glance met Flint's. The dwarf sighed and went back to his carving, Neither spoke, both men thinking the same thing. Their deaths would be bad if the draconians overran the Tower. Laurana's death could be a thing of nightmares.
The eastern sky was brightening, foretelling the sun's approach, when the knights were roused from their fitful slumber by the blaring of horns. Hastily they rose, grabbed their weapons, and stood to the walls, peering out across the dark land-
The campfires of the dragonarmies burred low, allowed to go out as daylight neared. They could hear the sounds of life returning to the horrible body. The knights gripped their weap-
ons, wading, Then they turned to each other, bewildered.
The dragonarmies were retreating! Although only dimly seen in the faint amp;alflight, it was obvious that the black tide was slowly withdrawing. Stucrn Tnratched puzzled. The armies moved back, just over the horizon. But they were still out there, Sturm knew, He sensed them.
Some of the Younger knights began to cheer.
"Keep quiet!" Sturrn commanded harshly, Their shouts
grated an his raw nerves. Laurana came to stand beside him and glanced at him in astonishment. His face was gray and hag-
gard in the flickering torchlight. His gloved Fists, resting atop the battle=rents, clenched and unclenched nervously. His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward staring eastward,
La'srana, sensing the rising fear within IIirn, fell her own body grov, chill. She remembered what she had told Tas. "Is it what we feared" she asked, her hand an his arm. "P ay we are wrong!'' he spoke softl•r,. in a broker; voice. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. Flint came to join them, cla.mLeI.2.,g up on a huge slab of broken stone to see over the
edge of !he L%~all. 'Tas woke, yawning. "When.'s breakfast?" the kender inquired' cheerfully, but no one Paid any attention to, him.
Still they watched and waited. Now all the knights, each of them feeling the same rising fear, lined the walls, staring eastward without any clear idea why. "What is it?" Tas whispered. Climbing up to stand beside Flint, he saw the small red sliver of sun burning on the horizon, its orange fire turning the night sky purple, dimming the stars. "What are we looking at?" Tas whispered, nudging Flint. "Nothing" Flint grumbled. "Then why are we looking-" The kender caught his breath with a sharp gulp. "Sturm-° he quavered. "Mat is it?" the knight demanded, turning in alarm. Tas kept staring. The rest followed his gaze, but their eyes were no match for the kender's. "Dragons . . :' Tasslehoff replied. "Blue dragons." 'I thought as much; Sturm said softly. "The draganfear. That's why they pulled the armies back.. The humans fighting among them could not withstand it. How many dragonsd" 'Three,"' answered Laurana. "I can see them now:' "Three," Sturm repeated, his voice empty, expressionless. "Listen, Sturm-" Laurana dragged him back away from the wall. I-we-weren't going to say anything. It might not have mattered, but it does now. Tasslehoff and I know haw to usethe dragon orb!"
'Dragon orb?'4 Sturm muttered, not really listening, D
'The orb here, Stux^rnl" Laurana persisted, her hands clutching him eagerly. 'The one below the Tower. in the very center. Tay shared it to me. Three long, wide hallways lead to it and-I and-` Her voice died. Suddenly she saw vividly, as her subconscioushad seen during the night, dragons flying down sion halls . . . .
"Sturrrt!" she shouted, shaking him in her excitement. know how the orb worksl I know how to kill the drago Now, if we dust have the time-"
Sturm, caught, held of her, his strong hands grasping her the shoulders. In all the months he flail known her, Hle could recall seeing her more beautiful. Her fac pale with wearing was alight with excitement.
"Tell me, quickly,"' he ordered.
Laurana explain, her words falling over themselves as she painted a picture to him that became clearer as her as
talked. Flint and Tas watched from behind Sturm, the dwarf's face aghast, the kender's face filled with consternation.
"Who'll use the orb?" Sturm asked slowly.
"I will," Laurana replied.
"But, Laurana;' Tasslehoff cried, "Fizban said-'
"Tas, shut up!" Laurana said through clenched teeth. "Please, Sturm!" she urged. "It's our only hope. We have the dragonlances-and the dragon arbl"
The knight looked at her, then toward the dragons speeding out of the ever-brightening east.
"Very well;" he said finally. "Flint, you and Tas go down and gather the men together in the center courtyard. Hurry!"
Tasslehoff, giving Laurana a last, troubled glance, jumped down from the rock where he and the dwarf had been standing. Flirt came after him more slowly, his face somber and thoughtful. Reaching the ground, he walked up to Sturm.
Must you? Flint asked Sturm silently, as their eyes met.
Sturm nodded once. Glancing at Laurana, he smiled sadly. "I'll tell her," he said softly. "Take cam of the kender. Good-bye, my friend:"
Flint swallowed, shaking his old head. Then, his face a mask of sorrow, the dwarf brushed his gnarled hand across his eyes and gave Tas a shove in the back.
"Get moving!" the dwarf snapped.
Tas turned to look at him do astonishment, then shrugged and ran skipping along the tap of the battlements, his shrill voice shouting out to the startled knights.
Laurana's face glowed. "You come, too, Sturml" she said, tugging at him like a child eager to show a parent a new toy. "I'll explain this to the men if you want. Then you can give the orders and ,arrange the battle disposition-"
"You're in command, Laurana," Sturm said.
"What?" Laurana stopped, fear replacing the hope in her heart so suddenly the pain made her gasp.
"You said you needed time;" Sturm said, adjusting his swordbelt, avoiding her eyes. "You're right. You must get the men in
Position. You must have tune to use the orb. I will gain you that time." Re picked up a bow and aquiver of .arrows.
"No! Sturm! " Laurana shivered with terror. 'You can't mean this! I can't command! I need you! Sturm, don't -do this to yourself!" Her voice died to a whisper, "Don't do this to me!"
"You can command, Laurana," Sturm said, taking her head in his hands. Leaning forward, he kissed her gently. "Farewell, elEmaid;' he said softly. "Your light will shine in this world. It is time for mine to darken. Don't grieve, dear one. Don't cry:" He held her close. "The Forestmaster said to us, in Darken Wood, that we should not mourn those who have fulfilled their destiny. Mine is fulfilled. Now, hurry, Laurana. You'll need every second:'
"At least take the dragonlance with you;' she begged.
Sturm shook his head, his hand on the antique sword of his father. "I don't know how to use it. Good-bye, Laurana. Tell Tanis-" He stopped, then he sighed. "No;" he said with a slight smile. "He will know what was in my heart."
"Sturm , . :" Laurana's tears choked her into silence. She could only stare at hire in mute appeal.
"Go;' he said.
Stumbling blindly, Laurana turned around and somehow made her way dawn the stairs to the courtyard below. Here she felt a strong, hand grasp hers.
"Flint;" she began, sobbing painfully, "he, Sturm . . :'
"I know, Laurana," the dwarf replied. "I saw it in his face. I think I've seen it there for as long as I can remember. It"s up to you now. You can't fail him."
Laurana drew a deep breath, then wiped her eyes with her hands, cleaning her tear-streaked face as best she could. Taking . another breath, she lifted her head. ,
"There;" she said, keeping her voice firm and steady. "Um,
ready. Where's Tas?" `
"Here;' said) a small voice.