Dictating Terms

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 23322

The mage makes a warding gesture, hoping to dispel the strange apparition (demifoxes aren't known on this world). "Don't bother," Synizn says. "You're wasting your time. I'm speaking on behalf of Prince Aaron and Princess Illura. I and some friends of mine have been helping them. Now, I have some news for you. Samuel's expedition into Zendara has been - um - neutralised might be the best way of putting it. Samuel himself is dead, having been defeated and slain fairly by our champion in single combat following his capture. We know that he has been holding Eric, the rightful king of Daria, in a remote castle dungeon: the dungeon of Hentzau Castle, to be precise. Now you're going to arrange for his release, and to see that he's escorted back to the capital and put back on the throne."

"Me?" the mage squeaks, sounding alarmed at the idea.

"Yes, you, if you know what's good for you. Once you make it known that Samuel is dead, it shouldn't be too difficult. He wasn't exactly popular, was he? You and your fellow mages - for I'm sure that you can't be acting alone - will be the only people within Daria able to communicate quickly with one another. I'm sure that you must have a colleague not too far from where Eric is being held. Get on to him at once, and start making the arrangements. And pass on the word that, should anyone contemplate treachery, we have more magic power here than you have ever dreamt of, and we won't hesitate to use it against you."

Synizn is exaggerating somewhat for effect, of course. He is sure that the local mages won't be able to disprove his claim, and will have to assume that he is being truthful. Besides, he doubts whether most of them will have cared much for Samuel anyway.

"What about these strange magical disturbances that we've detected recently?" the mage asks. "Were they your doing?"

Synizn does not want to answer that. He would rather keep the mage guessing, and wondering if it is a weapon that might be used against him if he doesn't co-operate. Pretending that he hasn't heard the question, he breaks the contact.

  1. "There," he says. "I think that should do it."

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JH

1/12/2003 11:19:14 AM

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