The Thrill of Agony

Jastina, though, would not be dissuaded. "Think about it," she said. "They have their own Belboz to draw on - one who must know the same things about the prophecies as our own. Knowing what he knows - and knowing that his other self has managed to create you - what do you suppose he would..."

"Agony!" Belboz exclaimed.

"What?" Joan asked. "No!" Ecstasy wailed.

"Of course - it makes sense now!" Belboz resumed his pacing, thinking out loud. "It vanished many decades ago, but - yes, in a pinch, he'd know how to get his hands on it, I'll wager! By heavens, I'm more devious than I gave myself credit for! He must have..."

"Wizard!" the king growled. "Stand still and explain yourself!"

"Hm? Oh, of course. You see, when the Spirit of Ecstasy was forged, a companion piece was also created - it was entitled 'the Thrill of Agony'. The statue looks just like Ecstasy here, only it was cast of bronze rather than silver. Just as Ecstasy represented pure and innocent joy, Agony was the embodiment of dark, painful sorrow."

"They took it away years and years ago!" Ecstasy added with a shudder. "I'd always hoped they melted it down into something else!"

"And you think Arthema and your other self have somehow gotten their hands on Agony," Joan stated rather than asked.

"I wouldn't put it past me," Belboz said seriously. "And if they has, they can use her as a template to create a warrior every bit as powerful as you - and all the more dangerous, since she would be loyal to Arthema, and not at all constrained about using her powers."

The entire room looked grim at this thought. Finally, with a sigh, Belboz said, "We must find out - and there is only one way to do it:"

1. "I must attempt to find Agony myself."
2. "I must briefly merge with my other self."
3. "Joan and Ecstasy must immediately go to Arthema's camp."
4. Belboz suddenly waved his hand - and everyone in the room was transported elsewhere.

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