The Cell Bathed in Green Light

Even if the place she was in were pleasant, Checkers would have been unnerved by the sudden change in surroundings. This place was unpleasant. Checkers was in a cell with stone walls on three sides, and iron bars reaching from the ceiling to the floor on the fourth. The furnishings consisted of a filthy bucket, a glass pitcher of water, and a bed composed of wooden slats. There was no light in the cell - the only illumination came from a strong green light from outside, a light that would appear red to her captors.

"Am I having a nightmare?"Checkers thought. She hated confined spaces. Even though she was smaller than the prisoners that these cells were designed for, she hated being confined. The stone floor and the stale air were all too real.

"The spell should never have worked. It was never intended to work. It was never supposed to be a real spell,"Checkers thought. She had asked Astra to perform the barrel roll as a ruse, hoping to catch her in a lie if she was the dragon, or have her fail harmlessly if she was not. And changing Astra into a dragon was not her intent either! But she could not deny that she had helped trigger both events. And someone had noticed.

A tall, agile figure was silhouetted against the green light. Checkers trembled, hoping somewhat irrationally that the figure did not know she was there.

"Checkers", said a low, silky, voice, like that of an wise Glider schoolmaster. "Do not be afraid. If you are cooperative, this is only temporary. We know that you will be useful to us. In what form and how pleasant the experience will be for you is up to you."

"How can I help you? I am just a little Glider, who may be able hunt and scout for you." Checkers suggested.

"We were rather thinking of bigger things. The late Belboz was a fool. He should have seen the potential power that you and perhaps your people have. We will not make the mistake of underestimating you."

1. "Who are you?" asked Checkers.

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