Return to the Dragon's Caves
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 17251
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The Champions watch rather nervously as Fred, Thessamar and Velus stir.
They know from
past conversations with various Astras how horrible they had found
being
kept as a dragon-mage's
prisoner for a period of days or weeks. But Fred and Thessamar had been
kept
as captives and playthings for decades, possibly even centuries. (It isn't
yet clear
to the Champions precisely how long has elapsed.) It could be argued that
the dragon had been merciful in blocking their memories of that, even if
mercy
had not been his intention.
How would Fred and Thessamar react now that their memories had been restored? If they were like their analogues, then they would have exceptional strength of character, but even so there must be a substantial risk that they would be broken or even driven insane by memories of their experiences. The Champions hope that their love for each other will help to pull them through. Velus is less of a worry. He had only been the dragon's prisoner for a few days, taken to be used as a tool in the dragon's latest game with the other two. When Thessamar's eyes first open there is a look of horror in them, coupled with a certain deadness. Fred's eyes are the same. But when they see each other, that is replaced by a look of love. They fall into each other's arms, breaking down in sobs as they do so. The Champions look the other way for a long while. They are rather embarrassed, feeling that they are intruding on a reunion (in a sense) that ought ideally to have been very private. They try not to overhear what the lovers are whispering to each other. Eventually Thessamar turns her face to them. It is tear-stained but grim. "We have a dragon to kill," is all she says.
The Champions, Fred and Thessamar rematerialise in the dragon's caves. Velus has been left behind. He is only a simple peasant boy and is too frightened to want to return. In any case he would have been more of a liability than an asset. The Champions have promised him that once the dragon is dead they will come back for him. Though the dragon's surveillance spell on Thessamar has not been detected and is still in place, Synizn's precaution of magic necklaces for her and Fred prevent the dragon from receiving details of what she sees and hears. Nevertheless, the dragon can detect the necklaces, knows that Fred and Thessamar must be back and that he is dealing with some powerful magic.
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JH
9/16/2001 7:02:48 AM
Extending Enabled
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