Ending was just horrendous..where do we go from here? Worse than Frodo being captured at the end of book 2

Very well said! I agree with all of these points, but your articulated them way better than I could have

​@@CANDROU1Sturm wasn't really in the book so much

It was Tas's idea to use the orb, as he had found it in the tower

​@@JoeChrisMorris Incorrect. Tas didn't want them to use the orb. He wanted to destroy it. Laurana had to talk him into not destroying the orb. "No, you mustn't break it," said Laurana. "But Fizban said-" "I know what he said," Laurana replied impatiently. "It isn't evil, it isn't good, it's not anything, it's everything. That"- she muttered- "is so like Fizban!' She and Tas stood in front of the dragon orb. -Dragons of Winter Night, Book III, Chapter 12 And it was also Laurana that insisted they had to risk using the orb. "And you think you can read the orb?" "I can try," Tas hedged, "but, Laurana, Sturm said there probably wouldn't be any dragons. Why should we risk even bothering with the orb? Fizban said only the most powerful magic-users dared use it." "Listen to me, Tasslehoff Burrfoot," Laurana said softly, kneeling down beside the kender and staring him straight in the eye. "If they bring even one dragon here, we're finished. That's why they gave us time to surrender instead of just storming the place. They're using the extra time to bring in dragons. We must take this chance!" A dark path and a light path. Tasslehoff remembered Fizban's words and hung his head. Death of those you love, but you have the courage. Slowly, Tas reached into the pocket of his fleecy vest, pulled out the glasses, and fit the wire frames over his pointed ears. -Dragons of Winter Night, Book III, Chapter 12 And even when the dragons were attacking the tower, Tas still didn't want them to use the orb and repeatedly tried to talk Laurana out of using it. "Who'll use the orb?" Sturm asked slowly. "I will," Laurana replied. "But, Laurana," Tasslehoff cried, "Fizban said-" "Tas, shut up!" Laurana said through clenched teeth. "Please, Sturm!" she urged. "It's our only hope. We have the dragonlances- and the dragon orb!" The knight looked at her, then toward the dragons speeding out of the ever-brightening east. "Very well," he said finally. "Flint, you and Tas go down and gather the men together in the center courtyard. Hurry!" Tasslehoff, giving Laurana a last, troubled glance, jumped down from the rock where he and the dwarf had been standing. -Dragons of Winter Night Book III, Chapter 13 "What do I do?" Laurana gasped, out of breath. "Laurana," Tas begged, "don't do this! I've read- if you fail to control the essence of the dragons within the orb, the dragons will come, Laurana, and take control of you!" "Tell me what I need to do!" Laurana said firmly. "Put your hands on the orb," Tas faltered, "and- no, wait, Laurana!" It was too late. Laurana had already placed both slender hands upon the chill crystal globe. There was a flash of color from inside the orb, so bright Tas had to avert his eyes. "Laurana!" he cried in his shrill voice. "Listen! You must concentrate, clear your mind of everything except bending the orb to your will! Laurana. . ." If she heard him, she made no response, and Tas realized she was already caught up in the battle for control of the orb. -Dragons of Winter Night, Book III, Chapter 14 Thus it definitely was not Tas's idea to use the orb. He may have found the orb, but it was Laurana that came up with the plan to use it and had the strength and heart to successfully control the orb.