A Desperate Move

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 18316

Fred was astonished as well as appalled. How could a powerful necromancer, obviously a very intelligent man, be so morally blind as to ask such a question? "If you would only do what is right, I could both save the princess and destroy the dragon," he pointed out heatedly. "It wouldn't need to be a case of either/or. But as it stands, my answer to your question must be: yes."

"But consider that she will be gaining eternal life, and a life free of illness or physical pain. And once she has adjusted, she will be forever free of any mental pain as well, for she will do her master's bidding without ever having any moral qualms. Many might say that it was not such a bad exchange."

"Well, I'm not one of them, and Astra isn't either."

"Have you ever asked her?"

"Well, er no, not in so many words. Astra, please feel that you can answer me freely. Would you rather remain a djinn or return to how you were?"

"Master, I may not express an opinion on my own status. Only what my master desires matters."

Fred was fairly sure from Astra's sad expression just how she felt about the matter. Arguably she had given as strong a hint as she could, when she had said that what he desired was what mattered, given that she knew he wanted her to be restored to normal.

However Belboz said: "You see. You have no reason to think that she is not perfectly content to be a djinn."

Realising that Belboz was not going to budge, Fred decided that there was nothing else for it. Though he had hoped to save his second wish, and though trying to use it against such a powerful magic user might be very risky, he seemed to have no alternative.

  1. "I wish that Belboz wanted to help us," he said. "Of course I'll help you. What can I have been thinking of?" Belboz responded.
  2. "I wish that Belboz wanted to help us," he said. "That was a waste of a wish. Worse than that, though, you have angered me."
  3. "I wish..." But he got no further, for Belboz gestured at him and he found himself unable to speak.

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1/20/2002 1:56:40 PM

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