Read Dragonlance 09 - Dragons of the Hourglass Mage for Free Online

the forces of Light, including the Knights of Solamnia.”
    “This calls for something special.” Par-Salian poured wine for them both. “My last bottle of Silvanesti wine. Alas, there will be no more elven wine from that sad land for a long time, I fear.”
    He resumed his seat. “And so they have chosen the daughter of the elf king of Qualinesti to be Golden General. The choice is a wise one.”
    “A politic one,” said Justarius wryly. “The Knights could not settle on a leader of their own. The defeat of the dragonarmies at the High Clerist’s Tower was due in large part to Laurana’s courage and valor and quick thinking. She has the power to inspire men with both words and deeds. The knights who fought at the Tower admire and trust her. In addition, she will bring the elves into the battle.”
    The two wizards lifted their glasses and drank to the success of the Golden General and to the good dragons, as they were popularly known. Justarius replaced the silver goblet on a nearby table and rubbed his eyes. His face was haggard. He settled back into his chair with a sigh.
    “Are you well?” Par-Salian asked with concern.
    “I have not slept in many nights,” Justarius replied. “And I traveled the corridors of magic to come here. Such a journey is always wearing.”
    “Did the Lord of Palanthas ask for your help in defending the city?” Par-Salian was astonished.
    “No, of course not,” said Justarius with some bitterness. “I was prepared to do my part, however. I have my home, my family to protect, as well as my city, which I love.”
    He lifted his goblet again, but he did not drink. He stared morosely into the dark, plum-colored wine.
    “Come, out with it,” said Par-Salian grimly. “I hope your bad news does not offset the good.”
    Justarius gave a heavy sigh. “You and I have often wondered why the good dragons refused to heed our pleas for help. Why they did not enter the war when Takhisis sent her evil dragons to burn cities and slaughter innocents. Now I know the answer. And it is a terrible one.”
    He was silent again. Par-Salian took a drink of his wine, as though to brace himself.
    “A silver dragon who calls herself Silvara made the horrible discovery,” Justarius said. “It seems that years ago, sometime around 287 AC, Takhisis ordered the evil dragons to secretly creep into the lairs of the good dragons as they slept the Long Sleep and steal their eggs.
    “Once their young were in her possession, Takhisis awakened the good dragons to tell them that she intended to launch a war upon the world. If the good dragons intervened, Takhisis threatened to destroy their eggs. Afraid for their young, the good dragons took an oath, promising that they would not fight her.”
    “And that oath is now broken,” said Par-Salian.
    “The good dragons discovered that Takhisis had broken
her
oath first,” Justarius replied. “The wise have speculated as to the origin of the so-called lizardmen, the draconians …”
    Par-Salian stared at his friend in horror. “You don’t mean to tell me …” He clenched his fist. “That is not possible!”
    “It is, I am afraid. Silvara and a friend, an elf warrior named Gilthanas, discovered the terrible truth. Through the use of dark and unholy magic, the eggs of the metallic dragons were perverted,changed from dragons into the creatures we know as draconians. Silvara and Gilthanas attest to this. They witnessed the ceremony. They barely escaped with their lives.”
    Par-Salian was stricken. “A terrible loss. A tragic loss. Beauty and wisdom and nobility transformed into hideous monstrosities.”
    He fell silent. Both men knew the question that must be asked next. Both knew the answer. Neither wanted to speak it aloud. Par-Salian was Master of the Conclave, however. The discovery of the truth, however unpleasant, was his responsibility.
    “I notice you said that the eggs were perverted through the use of unholy magic and dark magic. Are you saying