Dragon Crystal

[Annael]

Yes, a fanfic of sorts. Created a new character but using some favorites from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance Trilogy. Hope you enjoy.

 

 

Torana breathed a sigh of relief as the trees parted to show a beautiful valley. She sat on a rock and pulled her hood back, sighing as the sun beat on her face. She ran her fingers through her long black hair, closing her eyes to enjoy the heat on her face, even if it was for just a moment. With resignation, Torana stood, drawing her hood close around her face again and continued on to the town in the distance. Her sharp elven eyes picked out a rabbit running through the grass. Being half-elven was a curse and a blessing. She loved the added senses that her elven half gave her, but hated not being truly accepted by her elven kindred or by her fathers people, humans. Her mother was raped by a human. Her family devastated, her mother's parents arranged for her to be married to the Speaker of the Stars. By this marriage, Torana was an elven princess. What Torana's mother didn't know, was that the man who raped her, was a prince. So Torana had a split life. An elven princess and a human princess. Needless to say, someone was always watching Torana.

 

Walking through town, Torana was greeted by most of the people that she happened upon. Noting that the town was a friendly one, she decided that she was going to go to the inn and try and have a break before she continued her journey. She climbed a long flight of stairs before she found a door. Opening the door cautiously, Torana saw a cozy little room with a fire crackling cheerfully against the far wall. People were seated at tables around the room, talking and laughing. Torana decided to head to a table in the corner, away from most of the crowd. Passing a table in the shadows, she felt a weight slide from the top of her boot. She grabbed the small kender by the shoulder beside her. A big man started to rise and draw his sword, but another held out his hand. Bending her head down, she whispered to the kender.

 

"Give back my dagger, please." The kender handed back her jeweled dagger with a sheepish smile. Straightening slowly, she pushed back her long cape to reveal her sword as she pushed the dagger back into its sheath in her boot and continued on to her table. Pulling her hood lower over her face, she listened to an old man telling stories to children seated around him in front of the fire. He finished telling a story about Paladine and started to answer any questions the children had. Torana smiled as she listened to the children's awe inspired questions. A shadow fell across Torana's face that caused her to look up. The kender that had tried to lift her dagger was before her.

 

"May I sit down?"

 

"Only if you're not planning on taking any more of my possessions," Torana answered with a smile. The kender sat down with a laugh.

 

"My name is Tasselhoff Burrfoot, but you can call me Tas."

 

"Torana."

 

Tas looked at her with his head tilted slightly to the side. "You're not from around here are you? You don't look familiar."

 

Torana stared at the fire with a distant look in her green eyes. "You could say that."

 

The old man that was with the children turned to her with a smile. "Did I hear the young kender say that you're not from around here? Maybe you have a story that you can share with the children."

 

"I don't know any stories, but I do know a song." One of the children shyly offered her the harp that he was holding. Torana plucked a few strings before softly starting to sing. She sang of a girl that was a dragon, but had the magic ability to take human form. Those she was singing softly, soon the entire inn was listening raptly to her tale. She was about half way through the song when she was dragged to her feet. Tas jumped up and drew his dagger in her defence, but Torana stopped him by touching him lightly on his back.

 

"The Queen sent me to find you. Let's go." The man started to pull her to the door but Tas grabbed her arm, jerking her to a stop. The motion caused her hood to fall back, her black hair glowing silver in the firelight. The big man turned but Torana held up her hand.

 

"Lucias, go home."

 

"I'm sorry princess, but I've orders to take you home." Torana laughed, a shocking scornful sound coming from her delicate frame.

 

"I have no home. My mother's husband threw me out."

 

"Your father says no such thing. I'm to stop your nonsense and bring you back. If I have to take you by force, I will." Lucias approached her, his hands at the ready. Two men suddenly stepped in front of Torana.

 

"My lady says to go home, sir. I would do what she says." The red haired man said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Lucias drew his own sword, ready to fulfill his orders and return the princess to her mother. He started forward when a voice called out sharply from behind him.

 

"Halt! I'll get her to come home. There is no need for violence." A tall slender elf-lord walked from the open doorway of the inn. Upon seeing him, Torana let out a soft groan.

 

"You're here too. What did my mother do, send out the Royal Guard?"

 

"Yes, she did. If I'm to marry you, I can't have you running all over the country, no can I? It's not becoming of my future bride."

 

"I'm to marry another, which you seem to forget," Torana said as she held up her left hand, the band on her forth finger reflecting the light.

 

"Yes, well, you mother says differently. Now come along like a good girl." Seeing that Torana wasn't going to abide him, he lifted his hands and started to softly chant. Swearing, Torana stepped in front of the two men protecting her and pulled a charm on a chain out from under her tunic and said the word "Illyria." Holding her hands out to Lucias and the elf lord, she repeated the word again. "Illyria." The two men turned and left the inn, everyone staring in shock. Pulling her dagger from her boot, she threw it at the doorframe and said, "Axana." There was a flash from outside the door. Running to look at the courtyard below, Torana saw that no one remained.

 

"Who are you?" The old man by the fire said, standing and pulling the children close around him. With a sad look in her eyes, Torana removed her dagger from the doorframe and placed it on the floor. Turning it to each of the four directions of the wind before pointing it at the fire, she breathed another word softly. Suddenly, the Inn was awash in the happy chatter that had filled it before. Standing, Torana replaced the dagger in her boot and turned to leave.

 

"Wait! Torana, where are you going?" Tas asked as he ran up.

 

"I'm sorry Tasslehoff, but I must go."

 

"Why? Will I see you again?"

 

"The winds will tell." Turning, she quickly left the end, the door shutting behind her, blocking out the sounds of merriment from within.

 

To be continued...perhaps.

Edited July 19, 2003 by Annael