Tas opens the door to the Inn and the group enters. The Inn is busy and bustling with people. Tas looks around and then yells out and points across the Inn.

FLINT
(straining to see)
Who is it?

TANIS
Caramon.

FLINT
(coldly)
Then Raistlin'll be here too.

Tas rushes off into the sea of people, heading across the Inn to the firepit where CARAMON is seated. Flint and Tanis follow. Caramon is seated at the table Fizban moved in front of the firepit in Scene 1. There is a roar of joy and Caramon lifts Tas into the air in a bear hug.

FLINT
(grumbling commenting on the hug)
Caramon better look to his purse. Or count his teeth.

Finally Flint and Tanis break through the crowd of people. Caramon sees them.

CARAMON
My friend!

Caramon lifts Tanis in a bear hug as well. He is obviously very pleased to see his friends, and his eyes are watering with joy. Caramon puts Tanis down.

TANIS
Where's Raistlin?

CARAMON
There.
(nods towards the end of the table, which is covered in shadow.)
He's changed.

RAISTLIN is seated at the end of the table, in darkness. We see he is wearing a red robe, with the hood cast over his face. Caramon lifts Flint into the air in a bear hug in the background as Tanis moves towards Raistlin. The focus of the scene shifts to the end of the table.

TANIS
(apprehensively)
Raistlin?

RAISTLIN
(looking up, voice barely a whisper)
Tanis?

Raistlin removes his hood and we see his face. Raistlin's skin is a golden color, with a faintly metallic quality. Raistlin is rail thin, and this thinness shows on his face. His eyes are also golden, but his pupils are shaped like hourglasses. Tanis is visibly startled.

RAISTLIN
(whispering, with a faint smile)
I see my appearance startles you.

Tanis sits down across from Raistlin and swallows before speaking.

TANIS
In the name of the true gods, Raistlin --

Flint interrupts as he arrives. Flint sits next to Tanis.

FLINT
I've been hoisted into the air more times today than --
(notices Raistlin's appearance)
Reorx!
(eyes widen in shock)
What evil's at work here? Are you cursed?

Caramon sits next to Raistlin and picks up his mug of ale.

CARAMON
(glancing at Raistlin in a low voice)
Will you tell them, Raist?

RAISTLIN
(hissing)
Yes.
(crosses his hands, which are also a golden color, before him)
Do you remember when we parted five years ago? My brother and I planned a journey so secret I could not even tell you,
(with sarcasm)
my dear friends,
(back to whisper)
where we were going.
(beat)
I had been selected by Par-Salian, the head of my order, to take the Test.

TANIS
(stunned)
The test! But you were too young. What, twenty? The Test is given only to mages who have studied years and years --

RAISTLIN
(coldly)
You can imagine my pride. My brother and I traveled to the secret place, the fabled Towers of High Sorcery. And there I passed the Test.
(voice sinks)
And there I nearly died!

CARAMON
(emotionally)
It was awful.
(voice shakes)
I found him in that horrible place, blood flowing from his mouth, dying! I picked him up and --

RAISTLIN
(very curtly)
Enough brother!

Caramon flinches and then downs the rest of his ale. There is obvious tension between the two brothers.

RAISTLIN
(deep breath)
When I awoke, my skin had turned this color -- a mark of my suffering. My body and my health are irretrievably shattered. And my eyes! I see through hourglass pupils and therefore I see time, as it affects all things.
(looks to Tanis)
Even as I look at you now, Tanis. I see you dying, slowly, by inches. And so I see every living thing.

Raistlin grips Tanis's arm and holds him. Tanis attempts to pull away, weakly, but Raistlin holds him. Raistlin leans forward.

RAISTLIN
But I have power now! Par-Salian told me the day would come when my strength would shape the world! I have power and
(gestures to the wall near him)
the Staff of Magius.

Camera stays on the Staff of Magius for a moment, indicating Tanis's POV.

TANIS
(quietly)
Was it worth it?

Raistlin smiles thinly and takes his hand off Tanis's arm and folds his arms into the folds of his robe.

RAISTLIN
(hissing)
Of course! Power is what I have long sought -- and still seek.

Raistlin leans back into the shadows.

FLINT
(clearing his throat to change the subject)
Ale.
(licks his lips)
Where is that kender? I suppose he stole the barmaid --

Tas arrives with a cheerful cry.

TAS
Here we are.

Behind Tas is Tika, carrying a tray of mugs. Caramon grins.

CARAMON
Now, Tanis, guess who this is. You, too, Flint. If you win, I'll buy this round.

Tanis examines Tika's face for a moment.

TANIS
I give up. But then, to elves humans seem to change so rapidly that we lose track. I am one hundred and two, yet seem no more than thirty to you. And to me those hundred years seem as thirty. This young woman must have been a child when we left.

TIKA
(laughs and puts the tray down on the table)
I was fourteen. And Caramon used to say I was so ugly my father would have to pay someone to marry me.

FLINT
(slams his fist on the table)
Tika! You're buying, you great oaf!
(points to Caramon)

CARAMON
(laughing)
No fair! She gave you a clue.

TANIS
(smiling to Tika)
Well, the years have proved him wrong. I've traveled many roads and you're one of the prettiest girls I've seen on Krynn.

Tika blushes. Then her face goes serious.

TIKA
By the way, Tanis
(reaches into her pocket and brings out a cylindrical object)
this arrived for you today. Under strange circumstances.

Tanis takes the object, which is a scroll case. He unrolls the scroll and reads it.

TANIS
(strained)
It's from Kitiara. She's not coming.

Silence.

FLINT
That's done it. The circle is broken, the oath denied. Bad luck.
(shakes his head)
Bad luck.

Raistlin and Caramon exchange glances. Raistlin leans forward.

RAISTLIN
Kitiara would not break her oath unless another, stronger oath bound her.

CARAMON
What does she say?

TANIS
(hesitantly)
Her duties with her new lord keep her busy. She sends her regards and best wishes to all of us and her love --
(gets choked up and coughs)
Her love to her brothers
(Tanis looks at Caramon and Raistlin, establishing to the audience Kitiara is related to them)
and to --
(he pauses, then rolls the parchment back up)
That's all.

TAS
Love to who?
(there is a sound from under the table)
Ouch!
(glares at Flint who obviously has kicked him in the leg to quiet him)

Tanis flushes.

TAS
(feeling stupid)
Oh.

TANIS
(asking Raistlin and Caramon)
Do you know who she means? What new lord does she talk about?

RAISTLIN
Who knows with Kitiara?
(shrugs)
The last time we saw her was here, in the Inn, five years ago. She was going north with Sturm. We have not heard from her since. As for the new lord, I'd say we now know why she broke her oath to us: she has sworn allegiance to another. She is, after all, a mercenary.

TANIS
Yes.
(puts the scroll back in its case and looks to Tika)
You say this arrived under strange circumstances? Tell me.

TIKA
A man brought it in, late this morning. At least I think it was a man.
(shivers)
He was wrapped head to foot in clothing of every description. I couldn't even see his face. His voice was hissinglike and he spoke with a strange accent. 'Deliver this to one Tanis Half-Elven,' he said. I told him you weren't here and hadn't been here for several years. 'He will be,' the man said. Then he left.
(shrugs)
That's all I can tell you. The old man over there saw him.
(gestures to Fizban who is seated in a chair in front of the fireplace talking to a child)
You might ask him if he noticed anything else.

Tanis looks at Fizban. Flint touches his arm.

FLINT
Here comes one who can tell you more.

Tanis looks to the door of the Inn and sees STURM standing in the doorway.

TANIS
Sturm!

Everyone in the group turns to face Sturm except Raistlin, who leans back into the shadows. Sturm holds the door open and GOLDMOON and RIVERWIND enter the Inn. The camera angle is from across the Inn so the audience does not hear them speak, but Goldmoon obviously says something to Sturm in thanks, and Sturm bows.

CARAMON
Look at that.
(shakes his head)
The gallant knight helps the lady fair. I wonder where he dragged up those two?

Tas has gotten up on his chair and is letting Sturm know where they are seated.

TAS
They're barbarians from the Plains. That's the dress of the Que-shu tribe.

From across the Inn, the audience sees Sturm invite Goldmoon and Riverwind to the table, but they decline. Sturm bows and approaches the friends. Tanis gets up and Sturm approaches him first and hugs him. They stand back and look at each other for a moment.

STURM
(with amusement)
You have a beard.

Sturm turns and greets Caramon and Flint. Tas dashes off.

RAISTLIN
(whispering from his corner)
Greetings, Knight.

Sturm solemnly turns to face Raistlin.

STURM
Raistlin.

Raistlin pulls back his hood, revealing his face to Sturm. Sturm shows mild surprise, but keeps most of it hidden.

TANIS
(breaking the moment asking Raistlin)
Can I get you something, Raistlin?

RAISTLIN
No, thank you.

Raistlin goes back into the shadows.

CARAMON
(worried)
He eats practically nothing. I think he lives on air.

Tas arrives with a mug of ale which he puts in front of Sturm.

TAS
Some plants live on air. I've seen them. They hover up off the ground. Their roots suck food and water out of the atmosphere.

CARAMON
(wide eyed)
Really?

FLINT
(disgusted)
I don't know who's the greater idiot.
(turns to the group)
Well, we're all here. What news?

STURM
All?
(looks to Tanis)
Kitiara?

TANIS
Not coming. We were hoping perhaps you could tell us something.

STURM
(frowning)
Not I. We traveled north together and parted soon after crossing the Sea Narrows into Old Solamnia. She was going to look up relatives of her father, she said. That was the last I saw of her.

TANIS
Well, I suppose that's that.
(sighs)
What of your relatives, Sturm? Did you find your father?

STURM
I heard rumors. Some say my father is dead. Some say he's alive.
(slightly sad)
But no one knows where he is.

CARAMON
Your inheritance?

STURM
(smiling sadly)
I wear it. My armor and my weapon.

Tanis looks down to see Sturm has a large sword on his belt. Caramon leans over the table to look as well.

CARAMON
That's a beauty. They don't make them like that these days. My sword broke in a fight with an ogre. Theros Ironfeld put a new blade on it today, but it cost me dearly. So you're a knight now?

STURM
(ignoring the question and with a serious tone)
According to the legend, this sword will break only if I do. It was all that was left of my father's --

TAS
(interrupting with a whisper)
Who are those people?

Goldmoon and Riverwind pass their table and go to sit in two chairs by the fireplace.

STURM
I found them wandering around on the road outside of town. The woman appeared near exhaustion, the man just as bad. I brought them here, told them they could get food and rest for the night. They are proud people and would have refused my help, I think, but they were lost and tired and
(lowers voice)
there are things on the road these days that it is better not to face in the dark.

TANIS
As we entered Solace, some guards asked us about a staff.

STURM
A guard questioned me about a staff outside as well. Blue crystal, wasn't it?

Caramon nods and puts a hand on Raistlin's arm.

CARAMON
One of the slimy guards stopped us. They were going to impound Raist's staff, if you'll believe that -- 'for further investigation,' they said. I rattled my sword at them and they thought better of the notion.

Raistlin moves his arm away from his brother, and smiles scornfully.

TANIS
(to Raistlin)
What would have happened if they had taken your staff?

RAISTLIN
They would have died horribly. And
(with emphasis)
not by my brother's sword!

TANIS
(slightly chilled)
I wonder what is so important about a blue crystal staff that goblins would kill to get it?

STURM
There are rumors of worse to come. Armies are gathering in the north. Armies of strange creatures, not human. There is talk of war.

TANIS
But what? Who? I've heard the same.

CARAMON
And so have I. In fact, I heard --

Conversation fades into the background as scene focuses on Tas. Tas yawns and notices Goldmoon and Riverwind have seated near Fizban, who is still telling stories. Goldmoon should be seen as being very beautiful, her hood is thrown back and her long golden hair around her shoulders. Camera, which is Tas's POV, should focus on a man seated at a table near Fizban, with many empty mugs of ale in front of him. Tika enters Tas's view.

TIKA
(whispering)
That's Hederick. The High Theocrat.

HEDERICK calls out for Tika.

Scene focuses on Fizban and the boy.

BOY
Are all your stories of the ancient gods true, Old One?

Hederick frowns. Tas touches Tanis's arm, calling his attention to what is occuring near the fireplace. All the friends turn.

FIZBAN
(loud so whole room hears)
Indeed, my stories are true, child.
(looks at Goldmoon and Riverwind)
Ask these two. They carry such stories in their hearts.

BOY
(to Goldmoon)
Do you? Can you tell me a story?

Goldmoon shrinks back, frightened at the attention from the room, and the companions at the table. Riverwind gets up and goes near her protectively.

CARAMON
Nervous bastard.

STURM
I can understand why. Guarding such a treasure. He is her bodyguard, by the way. I gathered from their conversation that she's some kind of royal person in their tribe. Though I imagine from the looks they exchanged that their relationship goes a bit deeper than that.

GOLDMOON
(to Fizban in a low voice)
I'm sorry. I am not a teller of tales. I have not the art.

Fizban smiles at Goldmoon.

BOY
I want another story.

FIZBAN
(turning to the boy)
Once upon a time, the great god, Paladine --

BOY
(interrupting)
Paladine? I've never heard of a god named Paladine.

The High Theocrat, who is listening, snorts.

FIZBAN
(ignoring Hederick)
Paladine is one of the ancient gods, child. No one has worshipped him for a long time.
Men left him after the dark days of the Cataclysm. They blamed the destruction of the world on the gods, instead of on themselves, as they should have done. Have you ever heard the 'Canticle of the Dragon?'

BOY
(eagerly)
Oh, yes. I love stories about dragons, though papa says dragons never existed. I believe in them, though. I hope to see one someday!

FIZBAN
(sad)
Be careful what you wish, my child.

BOY
The story --

FIZBAN
Oh, yes. Well, once upon a time Paladine heard the prayer of a very great knight, Huma -

BOY
Huma from the Canticle?

FIZBAN
Yes, that's the one. Huma became lost in the forest. He wandered and wandered until he despaired because he thought he would never see his homeland again. He prayed to Paladine for help, and there suddenly appeared before him a white stag.

BOY
Did he shoot it?

FIZBAN
He started to, but his heart failed him. He could not shoot an animal so magnificent. The stag bounded away. Then it stopped and looked back at him, as if waiting. Huma began to follow it. Day and night, he followed the stag until it led him to his homeland. He offered thanks to the god, Paladine.

HEDERICK
(has heard enough and with a loud snarl gets up quickly)
Blashphemy!

Tanis puts his mug of ale down on the table.

HEDERICK
Blashphemy! Heretic! Corrupting our youth! I'll bring you before the counshel, old man!
(staggers around, drunk)
Call the guardsh!
(big gesture)
Have them arresht thish man and thish woman. She is obviously a witch! I'll confishcate thish staff!
(stumbles across the room, going for Goldmoon's staff)

GOLDMOON
(coldly)
No. That is mine. You cannot take it.

HEDERICK
Witch! I am the High Theocrat! I take what I want!
(reaches for the staff)

RIVERWIND
(getting up, warning in his voice)
The Chieftain's Daughter says you will not take it.
(pushes Hederick)

Hederick falls backwards, tries to catch himself, stumbles around and falls into the fireplace. He comes out quickly, but he is on fire. Tas moves to help Hederick. Hederick is flailing around, and Tas cannot get close. Fizban grabs Goldmoon's staff and hands it to Tas.

FIZBAN
Here! Knock him down. Then we can smother the fire.

Tas hits Hederick in the chest. At the point of impact, there is a visual effect of a large flash of light. The fire goes out instantly, and Hederick falls to the floor. Camera focuses on Hederick on the ground. The fire is out, his robes are undamaged, and his face and skin are clear of any burns.

FIZBAN
(loudly)
It healed him! The staff! Look at the staff!

Tas looks at the staff and sees it is now made of blue crystal and is glowing with a visual effect of a blue light.

FIZBAN
(shouting now)
Call the guards! Arrest the kender! Arrest the barbarians! Arrest their friends! I saw them come in with this knight!
(points to Sturm)

TANIS
(leaping to his feet)
What? Are you crazy, old man?

INN PATRON
Call the guards! Did you see? The blue crystal staff? We've found it. Now they'll leave us alone. Call the guards!

Hederick gets to his feet and faces Goldmoon and Riverwind.

HEDERICK
(full of rage)
Foul witch! You have cured me with evil! Even as I burn to purify my flesh, you will burn to purify your soul!

Hederick sticks his hand into the fireplace and yells in pain. He pulls out his charred and blackened hand and staggers off. Tika approaches the companions.

TIKA
(out of breath)
You've got to get out of here! The whole town's been hunting for that staff! Those hooded men told the Theocrat they'd destroy Solace if they caught someone harboring the staff. The townspeople will turn you over to the guards!

TANIS
But it's not our staff!

Tanis looks to Fizban. Fizban settles in his chair with a grin. He winks at Tanis.

TIKA
Do you think they'll believe you? Look!

She points to the inn patrons. They are all up and staring at the companions. Many are reaching for their weapons.

TIKA
The guards are coming!

Five goblin guards enter the Inn and draw their curved blades. Caramon backs up to protect Raistlin. Sturm continues sitting at the table. Flint, Tanis and Tas are on their feet.

FLINT
(angry)
Goblins! In Solace! This new Theocrat has much to answer for!
(swings his battle-axe out of its holder and plants his feet firmly for battle)
(to the goblins)
Very well. Come on.

Tanis throws his cloak over his shoulder and draws his sword.

TANIS
I advise you to retreat. We have no intention of being arrested.

TAS
Or of being killed.

FLINT
There's only one creature I hate worse than a gully dwarf, and that's a goblin!

FIGHT SCENE: Tanis, Tas and Flint fight the goblins. Sturm does not get involved, and Caramon protects Raistlin. Sometime during the fight, Tas throws a dagger into one of the goblins and kills it that way.

After the fight, Tas is looking at the dagger in the goblin's chest.

TANIS
(indicating the dagger)
I'll get it for you.

Tanis moves towards the body.

TAS
No.
(makes a disgusted face)
I don't want it back. You can never get rid of the smell, you know.
(giggling)
Besides, that dagger was Flint's!

Flint looks at Tas with annoyance. Tanis steps in.

TANIS
We'll have to go out through the kitchen.

TIKA
(nodding)
Yes! But hurry. It won't take them long to surround the place.

Caramon, his helmet on, is helping Raistlin to the door. He is holding his sword in his free hand. Raistlin has his staff in his hand. Flint has his battle-axe drawn and is also standing up. Sturm is still seated, and takes a drink from his ale.

TANIS
(urgently)
Sturm! Come on! We've got to get out of here!

STURM
(astonished)
Run? From this rabble?

TANIS
Yes. That man is a religious fanatic, Sturm. He'll probably burn us at the stake! And
(has a sudden thought)
there is a lady to protect.

STURM
The lady, of course.
(stands up at once and approaches Goldmoon)
Madam, your servant.
(bows, not hurrying at all)
It seems we are all in this together. You staff has placed us in considerable danger -- you most of all. We are familiar with the area around here; we grew up here. You, I know, are strangers. We would be honored to accompany you and your gallant friend and guard your lives.

TIKA
(tugging on Tanis's arm)
Come on!

Caramon and Raistlin are at the kitchen door. Goldmoon picks up the blue crystal staff. Riverwind whispers something to her but she shakes her head quickly.

GOLDMOON
(to Sturm)
We will go with you. Thank you for the offer.

TANIS
This way!

Herds them out the swinging kitchen doors. Inn patrons slowly move towards them, but not too quickly. The companions find the exit, which is just a hole in the ground with a long rope leading to the bottom of the tree the Inn of the Last Home is perched on. Tas goes down first.

TIKA
(to Goldmoon)
I'm sorry about this, but it is the only way out of here.

GOLDMOON
I can climb down a rope.
(smiles)
Though I admit it has been many years.

She hands the staff to Riverwind and goes down the rope. She reaches the bottom and Riverwind drops the staff down to her and goes down the rope next.

CARAMON
(to Raistlin, concerned)
How are you going to get down, Raist? I can carry you on my back--

RAISTLIN
(interrupting, with hissing anger)
I can get down myself!

Raistlin drops through the hole. Visual effect of Raistlin floating down to the ground, not using the rope at all. The crystal on top of his staff should be glowing in the darkness.

FLINT
(growling to Tanis)
He shivers my skin!

TANIS
(shoving Flint to the hole)
Hurry!

Flint goes down, followed by Caramon.

STURM
(with sword drawn)
I will go last.

TANIS
Very well.

Tanis goes down the hole followed by Sturm.