Trying to Thaw Winter

"Kill you?" Astra said in astonishment. "What are you talking about? I'm not going to kill you. All I wanted was to see if I might borrow a horse and get some provisions, and also to find out if by any chance there's a mage or witch in these parts."

"Not g-going to k-kill me? Then you're g-going to take me as your slave?" Once he'd heard that the Amazon wasn't going to kill him, Winter hadn't paid much attention to the rest of what she had said. Besides, her accent was so strange to the ears of a man of Erl that he had considerable difficulty in understanding her.

"By the gods!" Astra exclaimed. "Of course not. What would I want with a slave?"

"You are an Amazon, aren't you?" Winter asked, seized by a sudden doubt. She certainly looked like an Amazon, even though she only stood an inch or two over six foot, but she wasn't acting like one, seeming to show little sign of wanting to rape or pillage.

"I'm an Aqualarian, yes. I believe we are sometimes called Amazons by Allarians, but it's not a term we use ourselves. My name is Astra." (Since her appearance was so distinctive, Astra had decided that it was pointless to use an alias. If the dragon's men were to come here after she had gone, they could not help but discover that she had been here.) She went on: "And you would be...?"

"Er, I'm Winter, your ladyship. I'm honoured to meet you." Winter bowed. He had decided that it would be wise to be very polite with the Amazon. Perhaps then she would remain as friendly as she appeared to be at the moment.

"So, about the horse and provisions," Astra gently prompted. "And is there a mage or witch anywhere nearby?"

But before Winter could answer, they were interrupted by the sound of shouting. A couple of dozen men and boys were advancing towards them, armed with pitchforks and other improvised weapons. "It's all right," Winter called to them. "She says she's not going to harm us."

1. The mob listened to Winter.
2. They took no notice. Their belief in the old tales was too strong.
3. Even as Astra had to deal with an angry mob, Andrea was dealing with something far more sinister...

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