Destination Unknown
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 14894
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"I concur," said Frederigo earnestly, shifting his weight from foot to
foot. "The Lady Astra should be allowed to depart now, and return home." "Home?" Astra sneered derisively. "Ha! I doubt that. Now that I'm my own woman again, I'll be setting foot back towards the lair of the Dragon of the Northern," she emphasized the word, glaring at Fred, "Caves, to slay the beast in the name of the protection of the citizens of the lands Aquilaria." "Very well," said Fred slowly, "but how will you defeat the creature without us to abet you in your endeavor? Do not forget, it is also my quest to destroy the dragon, in the name of the Kingdom of Allaria. Splitgrave has already informed us that he is in possession of the magicks we require-" "Fred," interrupted Astra, "if I may be blunt, I think I will be able to defeat the dragon without the help of these 'magicks'. It's what I came here to do. So you stay here and rid the world of this pestilent sorcerer, I'll strike out and destroy the dragon on my own. Perhaps I'll even find our friend Velus, whom you don't even seem to have noticed missing. Then we can go our separate ways. You can take credit for the dragon's defeat back in Allaria, if you like. Fair enough?" She smiled viciously. Fred frowned. "I think I liked you better before..." "Oh?" she asked sweetly. "You mean when I was your slave?" "I grow impatient with your bickering," interjected Splitgrave suddenly. "Astra, like it or not, you are in debt to both me and Frederigo D'Honaire. No doubt you are both tired, and will feel much more enthused about the matter in the morning...so you will now rest." Both began to protest, but Splitgrave raised his hands and spat an incantation at them. "Sleep," he commanded, and they both collapsed on the dirt floor of the cavern, deep in magic-induced slumber. Sir Frederigo D'Honaire awoke. He couldn't tell how much time had passed, as his surroundings were much the same as ever. He got slowly to his feet, rubbing his neck, stiff from sleeping on the rocks and in his armor to boot. His sword was still in its scabbard. In fact, he seemed fine, apart from his neck. "Sleep well?" Fred whirled. Splitgrave stood there, watching him carefully. Astra sat behind him at Splitgrave's desk, glaring at him while she polished her sword. "I suppose you must have, under the influence of my spell. Therefore I can but assume that you are ready to embark upon your mission to end my life." "And where do we begin?" asked Fred. "I was getting to that. Before my abilities could drain any further, I wove an enchantment to show its new resting place... What it showed me was this." Splitgrave pointed to the large mirror leaning against the rock wall. As they looked on, the surface rippled and took the shimmering image of a lake of seething lava pouring across the bottom of a huge dome-shaped cavern. The stench of brimstone permeated the cavern, and Fred could feel an intense, oppressive heat. At the center of the image was a huge rock column, extending from the roof of the cavern down into the lava. Squinting, fred realized that the sides of the column were apparently masonry, and not a natural rock formation as he'd previously thought. "New Babylon, it was called," said Splitgrave, "and the Tower thereof. An order of fanatical priests built the tower, to free their dark god, who was in all probability a fiend from the infernal realms. I had heard of it, and of course dismissed it as legend. How to build such a structure? But this religion, cult, somehow managed it, perhaps through divine providence, or demonic intervention, I suppose. But it was supposedly never completed, according to my texts. But that is where my soul has fled, and that is where you must go. I know not how, but you have dug your own graves, so to speak." The lich watched Fred, guaging his reaction. "Any questions?" he added finally.
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The Inquisitor
1/6/2001 12:29:59 AM
Extending Enabled
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