Malachi

All seemed lost. There seemed to be no way of avoiding my transformation into a dragon. Astra could only think of two solutions. Cutting off my arm seemed too drastic, and it may very well not work. Going to the court magician, on the other hand, would take too long, and the transformation would probably be complete by then. But I had an idea...

"Wait a minute," I said. "Doesn't our route to Aquilaria pass near the Caves of Vantoris in the Shrekken Mountains?

"Yes, it does," said Astra. "Why?"

"Well, when the dragon's minions became free of his influence, and decided to form a nation of their own, some said that they should go there. It has been said that a rogue dragon lives there, a dragoness named Malachi who is benevolent, rather than malevolant the way most Dragons are. Perhaps she could help transform me back. And even if she can't, she was somehow able to transcend her Dragon nature, and she could help me do so. Even if I have to become a Dragon, I do not want to become a monster."

"That's a great idea!" said Astra. "Malachi it is then. We shall seek out her aid when we reach the Caves of Vantoris."

Astra seemed pleased that I had found another solution. I realized that she admired me as a noble knight, and was grateful to me for rescuing her sisters. She even seemed to be starting to care for me as a friend. She wasn't madly in love with me yet, but it was a start.

1. So we set out for the Caves of Vantoris...