Close up of a staff being jammed into the dirt ground. Pull back to reveal it is Raistlin planting his staff in the ground as the companions are all around him.

RAISTLIN
Shirak.

Visual effect of the crystal ball on top of his staff flaring to light. Raistlin holds his hands up to the light and rubs them together, indicating to the audience the staff gives off heat as well as light.

TANIS
(to Goldmoon)
The blue crystal staff. It healed that man. How?

GOLDMOON
(faltering)
I do not know. I -- I haven't had it very long.

TANIS
(with awe)
True healing.
(to Raistlin)
What do you think?

RAISTLIN
If she's a charlatan, she's a good one.

RIVERWIND
Worm! You dare to call the Chieftain's Daughter charlatan!

Riverwind moves to Raistlin. Caramon makes a rumbling noise in his throat and moves towards Riverwind. There is a brief moment of tension between the two as they stare each other down.

GOLDMOON
Riverwind...
(puts her hand on his arm)
Please. He meant no harm. It is right that they do not trust us. They do not know us.

RIVERWIND
(growling)
And we do not know them.

RAISTLIN
(ignoring the tension he nods to the staff)
If I might examine it?

Goldmoon hands the staff to Raistlin. As Raistlin touches it there is a visual effect of a bright flash of blue light and a crackling sound. Raistlin pulls his hand back, crying out in pain and shock. Caramon moves towards his brother.

RAISTLIN
(hoarse whisper while wringing the injured hand)
No, Caramon. The lady had nothing to do with that.

TANIS
(exasperated)
What is it then? A staff that heals and injures at the same time?

RAISTLIN
It merely knows its own. Watch.
(turns to Caramon)
Caramon, take the staff.

CARAMON
(frightened)
Not me!

RAISTLIN
(ordering)
Take the staff!

Reluctantly Caramon touches the staff. He keeps his eyes closed, anticipating pain. When he touches it, nothing happens. With surprise he opens his eyes and picks up the staff.

RAISTLIN
See there.
(sarcasm)
Only those of simple goodness, pure in heart may touch the staff. It is truly a sacred staff of healing, blessed by some god. It is not magic. No magic objects that I have ever heard about have healing powers.

FLINT
(irritably)
Where are we going? We can't just lie low for a few days, we've killed some of the Theocrat's guards.

TANIS
(to Riverwind)
Where were you headed?

RIVERWIND
We were traveling to Haven.

GOLDMOON
There are wise men there. We hoped they could tell us about this staff. It saved our lives...

TAS
Wherever we're going, we'll need food.

Tas holds up some food he's stuffed into his pockets.

FLINT
Where did you get that?

TAS
(with an innocent grin)
I borrowed it from the Inn. Tika and Otik won't mind.

STURM
Well? Now what? Where are we going?

TANIS
We will travel north. We will escort these two until we come to the crossroads, then we can decide what to do from there. They can go on southwest to Haven, if they wish. I plan to travel farther north and see if the rumors about armies gathering are true.

RAISTLIN
(slyly)
And perhaps run into Kitiara.

TANIS
(blushes slightly)
Is that plan all right?
(looks around)

STURM
Though not the eldest among us, Tanis, you are the wisest. We follow you -- as always.

TANIS
(to Raistlin)
Raistlin, put out that light.

RAISTLIN
Dumak.
(visual effect of the crystal ball's glow going out)

As the group prepares to move out, Goldmoon touches Tanis on the arm.

GOLDMOON
(slowly, not used to expressing thanks)
We are grateful. You risk your lives for us, and we are strangers.

TANIS
(smiling)
I am Tanis. The brothers are Caramon and Raistlin Majere. The knight is Sturm Brightblade. Flint Fireforge carries the wine and Tasslehoff Burrfoot is our clever locksmith. You are Goldmoon and he is Riverwind. There -- we are strangers no longer.

Goldmoon smiles and joins the companions who are walking down a path. Riverwind is still not trusting of Tanis and his friends and gives Tanis a good long look as he leaves. Tanis is left alone in the field.

TANIS
(to no one)
Well, some of us are no longer strangers.

Tanis begins the journey as well.