A Narrow Escape

The figure reached the corner, and as if guided by some sixth sense it turned towards him. Fred clutched his crucifix with his left hand, whilst with his right he swung his sword. It passed through the figure with no more resistance than if it had cut through a column of smoke. Then a familiar voice spoke: "Hello, Master." "Astra! I'm so sorry! I had no idea it was you. Are you all right?" "I'm fine, Master. Better now than before, in fact, for I felt uncomfortable all the time that we were apart. Whilst I am a djinn I am immune to physical harm except by magical means, so long as I return to the lamp for at least six hours a day." [13972] "Thank God for that! And also that you didn't drink the potion before coming to find me, or I might have cut you in half."

Changing the subject, he went on: "I think I'm lost, and it's too dark here to examine the chart that Splitgrave gave me. Can you lead me to a less dark part of the vaults?" "Another advantage of this form is that I can see in the dark. Please follow me, Master."

As they walked, Fred said: "Not long before we met, I nearly used my third wish accidentally, but just caught myself in time." "Nothing would have happened, Master, since neither I nor the lamp was with you. In fact I ought to give you back the lamp. You forgot to bring it with you, but I have it here." "Please would you look after it for now, Astra. With my sword in one hand, I may need the other hand to pull out the plan of the vaults or even to bring out the crucifix again."

Fred suddenly remembered something. "When we were back in the marketplace," he said, "you said that you could not leave my side." "I was wrong, Master. I did not then know so much about my powers and limitations as I have subsequently learnt. But, as I said just now, I felt uncomfortable - almost unwell - while we were apart. I suspect that the longer we were apart, the worse I would have felt, but fortunately our separation was only for an hour or two."

Meanwhile Splitgrave had returned to the cavern that had long been his home. That was where his books of lore, his spellbooks, and all his other magical paraphenalia, were, so it was the best place for him to find out why his spirit had not vanished on being released from the orb. He knew it must still be on this plane of existence somewhere, or he would not still be in his undead state.

He saw that Astra had gone, as he had expected, and that the potion he had prepared for her was untouched. He supposed that she had gone to find Fred. No doubt the two of them would eventually make their way back here. That might be to the good, as he might yet need their further help. First, though, it was time for him to do some research in his books.

Meanwhile:

1. Fred and Astra exit the vaults by the way in that Astra had used.
2. Fred and Astra search for something to use against the dragon

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