The War Of The Lance Read Online Free PDF Page A

has ever returned.”
    “Death's Keep!” breathed the kender, misty-eyed with rapture. “What a wonderful-sounding
     place!”
    "A true Knight of Solamnia may enter and return. According to His Lordship, it takes a
     true knight to lift the curse. I plan to go there and, with the help of Paladine,
    perform this deed.“ ”I'll come wi - " Earwig was offering magnanimously,
    when Caramon yanked the kender's feet out from underneath him, sending the green-clad
     figure sprawling face-first on the floor.
    “His Lordship has promised to reward me well,” concluded Gawain, ignoring the crash and
     the kender's protest.
    “Uh, huh,” sneered the proprietor, “And who's going to pay your family's bill if you don't
     return, Sir True Knight? You're not the first of your kind to go up there, and I've never
     seen a one come back!”
    Nods and low voices in the crowd affirmed this.
    “His Lordship has promised to provide for them if I fall,” answered Gawain in a calm and
     steady voice.
    “His Lordship? Oh, that's quite all right then,” said the proprietor, happy once more.
     “And my best wishes to you, Sir Knight. I'll personally escort the lady and your boy - a
     fine child, if I may say so - to their room.”
    “Wait just a minute,” said the barmaid, ducking beneath the proprietor's elbow and coming
     to stand in front of the knight. “Where's the mage who'll be going with you to Death's
     Keep?”
    “No mage accompanies me,” answered Gawain, frowning. “Now, if there is nothing further you
     want of me, I must leave.” He looked down at his sleeping wife and, with a gentle hand,
     started to reach out to touch her hair. Fearing it would waken her, however, he drew back.
     “Good-bye, Aileen. I hope you can understand.” Turning swiftly, he started to leave, but
     the proprietor grabbed his elbow.
    “No mage! But didn't His Lordship tell you? It takes a knight AND a mage to lift the
     Maiden's Curse! For it was because of a knight and a mage that the curse was placed on the
     keep.”
    “And a kender!” Earwig shouted, scrambling to his feet. "I'm positive I heard that it
     takes a knight and a mage and a kender!
    “His Lordship mentioned some legend about a knight and a mage,” said Gawain scornfully.
     “But a true knight with faith in his god needs the help of no other being on Krynn.”
    Freeing himself of the proprietor's plucking hand, the
    knight started toward the door. "Are you truly so eager to throw away your life, Sir
    Knight?“ The sibilant whisper cut through the hubbub in the inn, bringing with it a
     deathlike silence. ”Do you truly believe that your wife and son will be better off when
     you are dead?"
    The knight stopped. His shoulders stiffened, his body trembled. He did not turn, but
     glanced back at the mage over his shoulder. “His Lordship promised. They will have food
     and a roof over their heads. I can buy them that, at least.”
    “And so, with a cry of 'My Honor is My Life' you rush off to certain defeat when, by
     bending that proud neck and allowing me to accompany you, you have a chance to achieve
     victory. How typical of you all,” said Raistlin with an unpleasant smile. “No wonder your
     Order has fallen into ruin.”
    Gawain's face flushed in anger at this insult. His hand went to his sword. Caramon,
     growling, reached for his own sword.
    “Put away your weapons,” snapped Raistlin. “You are a young man, Sir Knight. Fortune has
     not been kind to you. It is obvious that you value your life, but, being desperate, you
     know no other way to escape your misfortune with honor.” His lip twisted as he said the
     last word. “I have offered to help. Will you kill me for that?”
    Gawain's hand tightened around the sword's hilt.
    “Is it true that a knight and a mage are needed to lift the curse?” he asked of those in
     the inn. (“And a kender!” piped up a shrill voice indignantly.)
    “Oh, yes. Truly,” averred