Dragonlance?

This was the part of the show that they all hated. Making your way onto the stage in the dark before show time to give the audience the illusion of you magically appearing on stage. Navigating around complicated and expensive equipment, dreading the possibility of a mike falling over or someone tripping over an amp. But thankfully hours of rehearsal time usually gave you a clear mental image of the stage lay out and allowed for a safe transition from point A to point B, or back stage to front stage in other words.

"Alright is every one ready?" came Tanis's voice in the dark, holding one hand over his mike so as not to be over heard by the audience.

"Ready" replied Laurana from directly beside him.

"Raistlin?"

"Ready Tanis" replied the white haired guitarist sharply as he swung his black flying V guitar over his shoulder and then turned to check with one of the tech crew that his red Fender Strat, white Gibson Les Paul, and Martin were ready to go if they were needed, off stage.

"Caramon?"

"Ready and waiting Tanis" said the big man as he situated himself into the stool behind his deep blue Pearl drum set with practiced ease.

"Sturm? Tas?"

"Yes I'm ready," said Sturm, shouldering his white Fender Bass.

"Me too" said Tas brightly as he swung up into his piano bench. Goldmoon's voice came from off stage.

"Are you all set?"

"Yes, tell Flint to go a head and announce us," replied Tanis as he did some last minuet adjustments on his mike.

"Right" a few excitement charged moments passed before their manager's voice sounded through the crowded stadium.

"Ladies and Gentleman welcome to the newly constructed Dragon Orb stadium. We have a great show in store for you tonight. So give it up, for the first time at such an enormous venue, for Dragonlance!" The stadium erupted with cheers as the mechanical dragon set up behind the band shot out a gout of flames.

Raistlin took his que and executed a shattering power cord, the others followed suit with equally loud and powerful sounds. This was the start of their newest song, Death Game. Three of the spotlights came on, two on Tanis and Laurana; both dressed similarly in black and silver, and one on Raistlin as he struck the beginning riff. Tanis and Laurana's voiced converged beautifully and the result was unbelievable.

I can read you like a book

I know the next move you have to make

The chance you have to take

So take it

(Chorus)

You cannot escape me

Your eyes betray your every thought

This is Death Game

And if you lose

Well I don't think I have to tell you

I can see your mind

Look at me

Don't try to fight it

On this your life depends

(Chorus)

There is no place to hide now

You cannot run anymore

You have to face me

Now I strike you down

(Chorus)

So here is the end

Make your last move

And I'll make mine

Your fate is sealed

(Chorus)

All lights focused on Raistlin as he executed his solo, feeding on the energy of the crowd. The last part of the chorus was repeated and the song ended as it began.

"Thank you! Thank you all; you can't imagine how thrilling this is for us being here tonight. Remember you are forever more under the power of the Hourglass!" Raistlin started up again…

* * *

"That was a fantastic show all of you, just fantastic," said their diminutive and salt and pepper bearded manager Flint Fireforge, who now stood facing them wearing a specially tailored black suit.

"But I'm sorry to say that we don't have time to rest. We have a television interview to get to and…oh for bloody hell where is Caramon?" exclaimed Flint once he noticed that the big drummer wasn't in his usual place. Raistlin sighed exasperatedly.

"Don't worry your self Flint, I think I know where he is. The rest of you go to the car I'll get him" before anyone could question, Raistlin was away down the hall.

"Right then you heard him lets get going" the short man turned his back and started walking in the opposite direction, lifting his cell phone to his ear as he did so to confirm security measures with Riverwind.

* * *

Raistlin walked to the nearest back stage door and sure enough there was Caramon in the midst of three teenaged groupies, completely heedless of the two-security personal. Raistlin marched up to them and as he did so Caramon flushed.

"Oh hey Raist"

"Don't you hey Raist me brother" he turned to security guards. "You call this doing your job? I'll see to it that you're both fired!"

"Oh please don't! Its my fault I talked Caramon into calling them off" Raistlin turned about to see a buxom red haired woman in a long pleated skirt, shoulder less white silk top, and high leather boots.

"Tika, I should have known. How many times must I tell you that we are all very busy, too busy to be bothered by the likes of you. Couldn't get to Tanis so now your going after Caramon well I wont have it. I warn you stop following us or else! Come along brother the others are waiting for us" Raistlin gave his brother a shove and the two started walking.

* * *

"What did you have to do that for Raist?" asked Caramon once they were well on their way to the studio where their interview would be.

"What did I do what for?" inquired the guitarist lazily as he gazed into the glass of champagne in his hand.

"You know back there with those girls" Raistlin sniffed.

"Girls indeed. More like hormonal, blood sucking, mindless bitches that care nothing about you save for your money and the limelight you generate and that Tika is the worst of them. She is there at every turn and I once even spotted her spying outside of one of our hotel rooms. I swear the next time I see her hanging around I'm calling the police. And your no help to matters at all my brother"

"Me? What did I do?"

"I've told you time and again not to encourage her and you never listen. I suppose you think all stalkers are middle-aged overweight men who still live with their parents. There are female ones too and they are no less dangerous"

"But"

"I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree with Raistlin on this one Caramon" said Tanis, setting his glass down and putting his arm back around Laurana.

"And me as well. Its best to just stay away from her, from all of them" said Sturm, Raistlin nodded in agreement and Caramon slouched sullenly back against his seat.

* * *

Jenna sat in her dressing room, waiting for her stylist to finish applying her makeup. Her show was Rock Magic. It was new to the network and needed to gain ratings fast if it were to continue. And what better way to get ratings then interviewing a hot new rock group that had just hit the seen and was rocketing strait to number one, and had a sold out stadium show under their belt. Tonight would be just what the show needed. A knock came to her door.

"Who is it?"

"Its me Jenna open the door" came a mans voice. Jenna sighed and nodded to her stylist, who went hurriedly to the door and opened it. There stood Par Salain, the studio's network manager, dressed in a white tuxedo. His beard trimmed into a respectable goatee and his hair combed back in a very businessman like fashion. He strode into the room carrying a clipboard that he handed to Jenna.

"What's this?"

"The names of all the band members, their instruments, and appropriate questions to be asked"

"Is this really necessary? I have conducted an interview before"

"Not like this you haven't" he came up close behind her and placed a hand upon her shoulder. He looked at her reflected image in the mirror.

"My partners and I have put a great deal of money into this show because we believe it can work, and it will work as long as you do what I tell you. Do you understand?" Jenna nodded. "Good, you have ten minuets" he patted her shoulder and departed, leaving behind the smell of his aftershave.

* * *

"Alright we're here. Now this is how it goes. We'll be back stage while they run through a brief intro of the band. When we are called up sit in the order in which you appear on stage. Do not look directly at any of the cameras and give direct answers to the questions you are asked. Are we clear?" Flint had been saying all of this while walking at a rather brisk pace from the limo and by the time he was finished they had reached the back stage of the studio.

"Crystal clear Flint, you can count on us," said Tanis, speaking on behalf of the others. Flint nodded.

"Right then have a seat, wait for your que, I have some final business details to discus with the network manager" with this Flint departed. Goldmoon and Riverwind set up the clip on mikes for all the band mates. A small monitor allowed them to see and hear what was happening on stage.

They walked on set to tremendous applause and sat the way Flint had instructed them.

"So Tanis you're the leader of the band right?" asked Jenna, crossing and then uncrossing her legs as she turned to look at Tanis. The bearded singer shifted slightly and drummed his fingers on the arm of the couch.

"I wouldn't say that exactly but I did kind of start the ball rolling in the beginning after that's its really been a group effort"

"I see, and were did all of you meet? What I mean is how did you get together?"

"Well I've known Lauana since grade school. We met up with the brothers and Tas in junior high and we all met Strum when he transferred to our High school in grade ten"

"And were you all playing together at that time?"

"Yes but when Sturm joined us we were still playing in the brothers garage and doing school concerts once in a while"

"And how did you find your manager?" Tanis smiled.

"We didn't, he found us. You see I run into Flint over the summer when I went up north to visit with relatives. He was taking a vacation by himself and his jeep had run out of fuel, on top of that his cell phone was dead. So I gave him a ride to the nearest gas station. On the way we started talking about the band and I invited him to come to our first paying gig in a local bar, The Last Home. I didn't really expect him to show up and when he did I got the shock of my life when he told me he was a manager in a recording company that was interested in signing us to his label. The rest is history"

"Indeed, what are the odds am I right?" this last remark was aimed at the audience who responded with applause and cheers. When the din went down Jenna turned to Laurana.

"This next question is one I think every one wants an answer to. Are you and Tanis an item Laurana?" the female singer blushed and fought the urge to fiddle with her necklace.

"Well, its…we're um" Tanis took hold of her hand.

"It's a little complicated but we are good with the way things are for now. Right?" he smiled at Laurana and she smiled back.

"Right"

"Alright fair enough" Jenna smiled and looked to Caramon. "Now Caramon you and your bother are twins, correct?"

"Yeah that's right"

"And you two were playing together long before you met Tanis and Laurana, correct?"

"Yeah we used to play at small local festivals and parties, things like that"

"And how long have you been drumming?"

"Since I was five, used to bang away at my mothers pots and pans when she wasn't using them. Got my first real drum set when I was eight"

"I see and how about you Raistlin how long have you been playing guitar?" Raistlin shrugged.

"About as long as my brother but I didn't pick up a proper guitar until I was about ten"

"And did you have any lessons?" the guitarist shook his head.

"No, I was mostly self taught"

"Really? That's amazing because you know there are some who compare your talent to that of Jimmy Page and Keith Richards" Raistlin smiled faintly.

"What can I say? I'm a fast study and determined to excel in all that I do" next to Raistlin, Sturm sniffed but no one seemed to notice. Jenna turned to the bass player.

"I have heard that you attended a military academy for a while Sturm. Is that true?"

"Yes, you see my father was in the army and when he died my mother wanted a fresh start. So I transferred out of the academy to attend the high school that was closest to our new home and that is where I met everyone here, as Tanis previously mentioned"

"And when did you first start playing bass?"

"I started when I was sixteen. It was a way for me to relax before tests and exams"

"Do you have any plans to return to the military?" Sturm shook his head.

"No, well at least not in the near future"

"I see well I'm sure your fans will agree with me when I say I hope that your departure isn't for a few years yet. Now Tas" she turned to find the minuscule keyboard player fiddling with a little blue ball that he had been keeping in the pocket of his jeans. Feeling Jenna's eyes upon him and no doubt hearing the subdued laughter of the audience, Tas placed the ball hurriedly back in his pocket.

"Sorry did you ask me something?" Jenna smiled.

"Not yet but I am. I was going to ask you if it's true that, even though you're the youngest member of the band, you're the one with the most performance experience" Tas nodded.

"Yeah that's true see I used to be a busker. You know a street performer, I played at Time Square on my free time"

"And how much money would you usually pull in?"

"Oh about one hundred on a good day and a quarter of that on a bad one. But I didn't do it so much for the money as I did for just the fun of it. I love performing and the band gave me more opportunities to do it, and for bigger audiences" Jenna smiled.

"Well I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that I'm glad you're doing what you love the most. Now my last question is for all of you. What message do you have for all the other bands out there?" All six-band mates turned to look at the head camera and said as one,

"Watch your backs because we are coming for you!"

* * *

"Dear god am I glad that's over," sighed Raistlin expansively after entering the bands enormous suit at the Hilton.

"Your not singing solo Raistlin," said Tanis as he collapsed into a near by armchair. The others followed Tanis's example, taking advantage of the nearest empty space to lie or sit down.

"Dibs on the first shower, I have to get this damn stage makeup off," said Raistlin as he pulled off his black silk shirt and made for the bathroom.

"Anyone need a drink? I'll call and order some up," asked Caramon as he pushed him self up from the bed. All nodded and the big drummer picked up the phone.

"Yeah hi this is Caramon, the drummer for Dragonlance, up in room ten twenty-three. Oh really? Glad to hear it, listen could I have twelve beers and, hold on a sec, what do you want Laurana?"

"Brandy Alexandria please"

"And one Brandy Alexandria please. Few minuets? Alright thanks" he hung up the phone and lay back down. A little while latter Raistlin came out of the shower wearing a white housecoat. With out the golden stage makeup on he was quite pale and with out the contacts his eyes were a pale shade of blue.

"I ordered some drinks for everyone Raist"

"Good idea my brother" replied Raistlin as he settled into the last remaining chair and began rubbing his eyes furiously.

"Something wrong Raistlin?" asked Sturm.

"Like you really fucking care. It's those god accursed contacts. I wish I didn't have to wear the damn things"

"But what about your image?"

"Oh fuck my image. Their a god damn nightmare"

"Well perhaps you should try eye drops. That's what an aunt of mine did," said Tas, who was fiddling with the small blue ball from his pocket again. The guitarist stopped rubbing his eyes and relaxed back in the chair.

"I'll consider it" a knock came to the door then.

"I'll get it," said Tanis who got up and went to the door. The man in the hall wore a black tuxedo and was pushing a trolley with a large silver tub full of ice. In the top of it was a single glass, a shaker, a bottle of brandy, milk, and chocolate liquor needed for the Brady Alexandria.

"Your drinks sir"

"Thanks, just put them right over there please" the man nodded and wheeled the trolley roughly into the center of the group. He handed a beer to each of the men before mixing Laurana's drink.

"What do we owe you?" asked Tanis as he took out his wallet.

"Fifty dollars in total sir"

"Here's sixty keep the change" the man bowed and left quietly. Tanis returned to his seat, opened his beer, and passed the opener around.

"A toast my friends to us"

"To us" echoed the other five band mates before taking a drink. A Painted Black ring tone sounded from Raistlins pants pocket. The guitarist sighed and stood to fetch his cell phone. Upon reading the caller ID he nearly dropped it but managed to steady himself with another drink of his beer. He turned to address his band mates.

"Would you all excuse me? I have to take this call" without waiting for an answer he walked out onto the balcony and flipped open his phone.

"Hey Kit fancy hearing from you all of a sudden, its been a long time"