Francis of Rinsberg

"Well, stranger," said Fred coolly, unable to completely mask his envy, "Who are you, and how did you manage to so conveniently arrive here?"

The armoured man responded, "It was not convenient, my good man. Beating those dry bones was a tedious task, and I would rather not do it again. Could we please leave, and I shall explain? Velus knows some of my story."

"Velus?!" asked Fred and Astra, in unison.

Velus barked a few times, wagged his tail, and trotted to the armoured man. The man picked him up and patted Velus on the head.

"Aye. Velus and I have spent many days down here, trapped by the curse of the dragon. I have always had a way with animals - I have observed them, and feel that I can almost divine their thoughts at times."

The man whispered to Velus,"Please keep yourself under control, my lively lad. I know that one of our guests is a fine-looking lass, but it is not polite to stare, even if you are a dog." Velus whimpered back, "Sorry. I have never seen such a beautiful woman, even when I was a human in my village."

The armoured man shook his head, wondering whether he had been quite this callow ten years ago, when he was Velus' age. He had to admit that he was, in a cockier way, and thought very briefly of better days, before that dark year in Rinsberg that changed his life forever. In thinking back on himself and his seemingly carefree youth, it seemed that he was thinking about a stranger.

The man spoke up, and replied, careful not to stare too obviously at Astra. "Briefly, my name is Francis, originally of the free city of Rinsberg. I am a smith by trade, and, given the tools, can make any sort of iron or bronze tool, weapon, or repair that you need. I was destined to become a master, but the sack of Rinsberg has forced me to take up a different line of work, that of a warrior. I am here to collect on an overdue debt, so to speak." There was a hint of tension in his voice at the last sentence, but Francis resumed his bouyant manner. "My good man and my gentle lady, I know that there is a hot springs and a stream of lava nearby. I believe that I can gently heat those chains and remove them from the lady's wrists. It would get us out of danger, and then you can introduce yourselves and make common cause, if you are after who I think you are."

1. Fred, Astra, and Velus leave with Francis for the underground hot springs.
2. Fred does not trust the man, and refuses to go with him to the springs.

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