DISCLAIMER: Renetari is my creation. Although I may wish I had a zippy black Ferrari, I don’t have a driver’s license, so it wouldn’t do me any good anyway. Shakespeare owns Shakespeare, unless he actually didn’t write it, and Weiss/Hickman own Dragonlance.

---

To be, or not to be, that is the question;
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrow of outrageous fortune,
Or, to take up arms against a sea of troubles,
And, in opposing, end them.

---

It’s becoming harder and harder to take joy in Earth, even in chemistry class. I have coughing fits, I shiver uncontrollably, and I can’t engage in any sort of long-term activity without feeling dreadfully weak… I found a white hair last week, and more today. It isn’t like I’m vain or anything- it’s just that I know, deep down, that it’s a bad sign.

Raistlin gave me some of his herbal powder. It tastes like soymilk and nutmeg- sweet and spicy, but bitter and chalky at the same time. Margaret Weiss was right, though- it does ease my cough almost immediately. If I ever get a chance to visit Solinari, I’ll have to remember to thank Par-Salian.

Of course, I have to live long enough to visit Solinari first.

---

To die, to sleep, no more-
And by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to.
‘tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.

---

“Ren, are you alright?”

“No, I’m not.” I cough. I’m on a bench outside the school, on a sunny day, bundled up in all the sweaters I could find.

“Sick? I’m sure my mom has something-“

“Adrian, I’m slowly dying. I feel my life force leaving my body with each breath I take. If she has something for that, go ahead and ask.”

He stops. “Maybe you should breathe less?” He tries to joke.

“I don’t think that will help.”

“Ren, look at that car! Isn’t it beautiful?” He’s trying to distract me, but I courteously look up.

If I was earthbound, I would agree that it is beautiful. The crest on the front indicates that it is a Ferrari. It has sleek lines, and it is this perfect glossy black…

It slows to a stop at the curb in front of us, and the window rolled down a crack.

“Excuse me.” I must be hallucinating. The man’s voice sounds so tantalizingly familiar… “I’m looking for someone, and I was wondering if you could help me.”

Adrian speaks before I can muster my voice. “I’d feel a lot better about it if you’d roll

that window down.”

“If you insist.” The window goes smoothly down, and my heart leaps.

“Dalamar!”

“Renetari.” He nods. “I won’t be here for long. Come with me.”

“Dalamar the Dark…” Adrian says, awed. “You’re my favorite character!”

“I’m glad to know that. Shalafi gets most of the attention.” He replies. “It’s too bad you don’t live on Krynn. I’d like you for an apprentice.”

“I’m… I’m… honored…” he says. It’s clear that he’s shocked.

“Come, Renetari. No more time for goodbyes.”

“Thanks, Adrian. You know… for everything.” I open the passenger-side door and get into the car.

“Bye, Ren. I’ll see you-“

“In your dreams.”

---

To die, to sleep- To sleep, perchance to dream-
Aye, there’s the rub.
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
Must give us pause.

---

“Do not be afraid, Renetari.” Dalamar shifts the car into high gear. We’re going 10, 20, 50, 100, 200… “You are coming home.”

“REN!”

A crashing noise.

I don’t scream as the flames engulf my body.