Synizn is Unusually Talkative

Synizn turned to face her. Not for the first time, Astra noted just how powerfully built he was. It was easy to believe that he was a werebear. And she herself was so small and weak compared to what she had once been. No, she definitely didn't want to anger him.

"Not that I care, but your friend hates me," Synizn said. He waited for a moment, as if he expected her to deny it, but it was so obviously true that she saw no point. When she remained silent, he went on: "He hates dragons. In fact he hates everything that's outside his own limited experience or that's in any way different. And now that he's no longer human he even hates himself. What a pathetic, narrow-minded individual. Typical of his former species, though."

Astra wondered why Synizn had brought up this topic. Did he feel slightly guilty about how he had treated them, and was trying to justify it to himself, or did he have some other motive? Perhaps he was just interested in seeing what her reaction would be. She rather doubted whether Synizn's mind was any more open than Fred's, but it didn't seem like a good idea to point this out.

"He's been through a lot," she replied, feeling that she had to defend her companion even if it risked angering her captor. "Can you blame him for how he feels at the moment? I'd have thought that you might even have some fellow feeling for him. After all, if what we've heard is true, you have also been the victim of an unwilling transformation, and know what it feels like to be trapped in a form that is not of your choosing."

"Fellow feeling!" Synizn snorted. "Don't make me laugh! And you too were a dragon slayer, were you not?"

"I was intending to slay the dragon of the Southern Caves, yes. He had been ravaging my land. In Aqualaria, though, we judge people as individuals, and I see no reason to view dragons - or any other creatures - differently." Astra wasn't sure whether she was truly quite as open-minded as her answer suggested, but it seemed to be the response that self-preservation required.

"Hmm... But enough of that. I want to find out just what you are, and in particular why you are seemingly not infectious. I'm sure that Malachi was right that that was Minestus's intention. And you seemingly did infect the man. Maybe the infection is not present in your blood but in other bodily fluids. I also want to check for myself that you really are pregnant."

An idea occurred to Astra, but she kept it to herself. Was it possible that, for some reason, all the time she was pregnant she was no longer infectious? It was she who had bitten Ringroot, and it was she who had had a blood sample taken for use on some poor wretch. Perhaps Fred's blood would have had a different result?

Synizn went on: "Assuming that Minestus used the Crystallic to make you what you are, which seems a fairly safe assumption, then my examination will serve a second purpose. For the more I learn about you, the more I will learn about the power of the artifact that made you what you are. And therefore the nearer I will come to the point where I can safely use it myself. So you should co-operate, since it will be in your best interest as well as mine."

1. Before beginning his examination, Synizn asked Astra some questions.
2. "You mean you will help us?" Astra asked.

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