Part 43 (1/2)
DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES.
races were distantly connected. Certainly there was something kenderish in the young gnome-his slender hands, eager expression, and sharp, bright eyes intent on observing everything. But here the resemblance ended. There was nothing of the kender's easy-going manner. The gnome was nervous, serious, and businesslike.
”Ta.s.slehoff $urrfoot;'said the kender politely, extending his hand. The gnome took Tas's hand, peered at it intently, thenfinding nothing of interest-shook it limply. ”And this-” Tas started to introduce Fizban, but stropped when the gnome reached out and calmly took hold of the kender's hoopak.
”Ah . . :” the gnome said, his eyes s.h.i.+ning as he grasped the weapon.
”Sendforamemberofthe WeaponsGuild-”
The guard at the ground-level entrance to the great mountain did not wait far the gnome to finish. Reaching up, he pulled a lever and a shriek sounded.
Certain that a dragon had landed behind him, Tas whirled around, ready to defend himself.
”Whistle;' said Fizban. ”Better get used to it!”
”Whistle?” repeated Tas, intrigued. ”I never heard one like that before. Smoke comes out of it! How does it war-Hey! Comeback! Bring back my hoopak!” he cried as his staff gent speeding down the corridor, carried by three eager gnomes.
”Examinationroom;'said the gnome, ”uponSkimbosh-”
”What?”
”Examination Room;” Fizban translated. ”I missed the rest. You really must speak slower,” I-ie said, shaking his staff at the dome.
The gnome nodded, but his bright eyes were fixed an Fizban's staff. Then, seeing it was just plain, slightly battered wood, the gnome returned his attention to the mage and kender. ”Outsiders,” he said. ”rIltryand'member . . . I will try and remember, so do not worry because'-he nova spoke slowly and distinctly-”your weapon will not be harmed since we are merely going to render a drawing-”
”Really.” interrupted Tas, rather flattered. ”I could give yarn a demcnstration of how it works, if you like.”
The gnome's ewes brightened. ”'Thatwou;vdbeznuch-”
'And now:' interrupted the kender again, feeling pleased chat he was learning to communicate, ”what is your name?*'
THE DRAGONS OF WINTER NIGHT.
Fizban made a quick gesture, but too late.
”Gnoshoshallamarianininillisyylphanitdisdisslishxdie-”
He paused to draw a breath.
”Is that your name?” Tas asked, astounded.
The gnome let his breath out. ”Yes;” he snapped, a bit disconcerted. ”It's my first name, and now if you'll let me proceed-”
”Wait!” cried Fizban. ”What do your friends call you?”
The gnome sucked in a breath again. ”Gnoshoshallamarioninillis-”
”What do the knights call you?”
”Oh”-the gnome seemed downcast-”Gnash, if you-”
”Thank you,” snapped Fizban. ”Now, Gnash, we're in rather a hurry. War going on and all that. As Lord Gunthar staked in his communique, we must see this dragon orb:'
Gnosh's small, dark eyes glittered. His hands twisted nervously. ”Of course, you may see the dragon orb since Lord Gunthar has requested it, but-if l might ask- what is your interest in the orb besides normal curi-?”
”I am a magic-user=” Fizban began.
”Magicuser!” the gnome stated, forgetting, in his excitement, to speak slowly.
”Comethiswayimmediatelytothe Examination room sincethedragonorbwasrnadebymagicuser Both Tas and Fizban blinked uncomprehendingly, ”Ol,., just come-” the gnome said impatiently.
Before they quite knew what was. happening; the gnome talking-hustled them through the mountain's entrance, setting off an inordinate number of bells and whistles.
”Examination Room:?” Tas said in an under-tone to Fizban as the}* hurried after Gnash. ”What does that mean? They wouldn't have hurt it, would they?”
”I don't think so” Fizban muttered, his bushy white eye brows coming together in an ominous V -shape over his nose. ”Gunthar sent knights to guard it, remember:'
”Then what are you worried about?” Tas asked.
”The dragon orbs are strange things. Very powerful. _'Ay fear;” said Fizban more to himself than to Tas, ”is that they may try to use it!”
”But the book I read in Tarsis said the orb could control dragons!” Tas whispered. ”Isn't that good? I mean, the orbs aren't evil, are they?”
”I don't suppose;” Fizban asked in a hopeless tone, ”that the Examination Room would be on the ground level?”
Gnosh shook his head. ”Examination Room on level fifteen-”
The old mage heaved a heart-rending sigh.
Suddenly there was a horrible grinding sound that set Tas's teeth on edge.
”Ah, they're ready for us. Come along-” Gnosh said.
Tas leaped after him gleefully as they approached a giant catapult. A gnome gestured at them irritably, painting to a long line of gnomes waiting their turn. Tas jumped into the seat of the huge sling catapult, staring eagerly up into the shaft, Above him, he could see gnomes peering down at him from various balconies, all of them surrounded by great machines, whistles, rapes, and huge, shapeless things hanging from the sides of the wall like bats. Gnosh stood beside him, scolding.
”Elders first, young man, so get outoftherethis instantandlet”-he dragged Ta.s.slehoff out of the seat with remarkable strength=”the magicusergofirst=”
'Uh that's quite all right.” Fizban protested, stumbling backwards into a pile of rape. ”I-I seem to recall a spell of mine that will take me right to the tap.
Levitate. How did that g-go? v Just give me a moment:”
”You were the one in a hung-” Gnosh said severely, glaring at Fizban. The gnomes standing in line began to shoat rudely, pus.h.i.+ng and shoving and jask:iing.
”t7h, vep,r well;' the old mage snarled, and file climbed into'; the seat, with Gnosh's help. The gnome operating the lever that' launched the catapult yelled something a': Gnosh which sounded like ”whalevel?”
Gnoshpainted up, yelling, back. ”SiFimbos5~'