Father and Son

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 19939

Charles D'Honaire, having dismissed the guards, listened carefully as his son told his story. When Fred had finished, he said: "You had better tell no-one of what was said to you. 'Lesser of two evils', eh? Whilst in public I would have to say that it is treasonable to describe Allaria's kind offer so, I can tell you strictly between ourselves that I have some sympathy for the mage's view and for Queen Astra's predicament. But regardless of that, I will do my duty of course... So you are slated for greatness, are you?"

"That was what the mage said, Father, so long as I embrace the force of virtue and compassion. But my compassion tells me that Queen Astra should not marry Prince Henri. The mage told me that by my actions I would ensure that they did marry, though. So I'm rather confused."

"You seem to have a very good recall of what he told you."

"It's strange, for I find that I can remember perfectly everything he said, even though at first I thought it was just a dream. Perhaps he ensured with his magic that I would recall everything?"

"I suppose that's possible."

"But one thing he did not tell me is just what these actions are that I've got to carry out to ensure that the Prince weds Queen Astra. If his scrying has shown him that I'll do these things, then are they predestined, so that I can't avoid doing them? But if that's the case, then why did he need to come and see me?"

"I don't know, Son. However I don't think it will help to discuss this any further tonight. We should both go back to bed; you are a young lad and need your sleep, and I am sure to have a taxing day tomorrow. I suspect that the Queen may need a lot of persuading to accept our offer."


Meanwhile, Astra had found sleep elusive. Should she accept Allaria's offer? In the short term it would effectively turn Aqualaria into a vassal state, and once she died it would lead to the disappearance of whatever semblance of independence Aqualaria might still enjoy.

If she married Henri, then she would become a Princess of Allaria and he would become the Prince Consort within Aqualaria. Assuming that the King of Allaria died before Henri did, then Henri would become King of Allaria and she the Queen of Allaria, but their status within Aqualaria would not change as a result of the old king's death. The real evil would come with the next generation. The son which she would bear Henri would become Crown Prince of both countries, heir to both thrones. (She had a feeling that it would be a son and not a daughter.) She would be the last Queen of Aqualaria, to be succeeded by her son as king. Could she bring that son up so that he was more of an Aqualarian than an Allarian? No, the Allarian court would never allow that. In fact they'd probably take him away from her at a young age.

But the alternative would be to fight on alone in a ruinous war that seemed certain to end in a crushing defeat. Many of her people would die, and Aqualaria as a political entity would probably cease to exist.

  1. Astra came to a decision.
  2. Eventually Astra dozed off, still not having decided what to do.
  3. Caldor had more that just Fred to visit that night. Now he appeared in Astra's bedroom.
  4. In desperation, Fred had decided to pay Astra a visit - if he could dodge her guards.

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JH (9398 implied that Henri would become King of Aqualaria, but that wasn't what I had described in 9369)

6/24/2002 11:31:16 AM

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