Tight and Uptight
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 23346
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Fred spoke up. "Belboz, once you get up there, what can you do? If your magic cannot move me or Astra, how can you help Checkers move the boulder, or light the room?" "Fred, I am magician, not a god," Belboz replied good- naturedly. He then turned more serious. "I have a knowledge of the hidden facts of material things that I can put to good use. Many a time I have to seen or touched things like a rock, a coin, or a rope, and found out secrets not noticed by the wise." "Which would imply that you are not amongst the wise, strictly speaking, you arrogant gasbag," thought the princess. The princess started to feel slightly uncomfortable. It was as if there were a slight pressure all over her body. She thought about it for a few seconds, and then that evil voice came into her head. "Ah, yes, Princess, your protective armour. Proof against slings, arrows, and sarcasm. I gave you that armour in part to protect you from yourself. Your outlook on life is entirely too negative, my dear. Whenever you think badly of someone, especially me, the armour will shrink. It is only by thinking pleasant thoughts, again, especially about me, that the shrinkage will be reversed. So unless you start treating me nicely, be prepared to be quite literally crushed." Fred and Checkers quickly turned toward Astra, as she whimpered wordlessly, suddenly doubled over in great pain. Belboz quickly walked over to Astra. "What is wrong, my lady? Where does it hurt?" Astra moved her arms up and down with difficulty, trying to convey the sense of "Everywhere!" while not thinking about Belboz. Her angry reaction to Belboz's trick had caused the armour to tighten to the point where it was difficult to breathe. Belboz asked Checkers and Fred to stand back. He commanded the struggling Astra to lie down. She appeared pale, and her breathing laboured. Belboz uttered an incantation, and then laid his hands upon Astra's forehead. He sat in a trance. Astra's colour returned to her cheeks, and she started grasping for breath. After a few minutes, she was breathing normally, and gave Belboz an apparently appreciate hug."The princess was having a seizure, a side effect triggered by thoughts about the dragon," explained Belboz, with more truth than either Checkers or Fred knew. "I have invoked a spell of tranquillity that should ease her tormented mind. However, I think that someone needs to be with her at all times, to assure and calm her down when the episodes occur. That is what she most needs. Fred, while Checkers and I explore the elevated tunnel, you should keep an eye on Astra." "Most assuredly," replied Fred. "But what do I do if her seizures happen again?" "Just talk to her, and try to focus her attention on more pleasant thoughts." Belboz then projected one last thought to Astra: "You cannot say that I have not done my part to make the world a more cheerful place!" Belboz then continued, "Fred and Astra, are you ready? Each of you cradle your arms under one of my thighs, while I hold on to your shoulders. When I say 'three', lift me up." Belboz was easily boosted up into the elevated tunnel. "Now, Checkers, let us go toward that Arsenal and see if I cannot shed any light upon this obscure subject." "It would be wise for me to carry a spear, I think. I think that there may be an animal around here." "I do not sense one, but it pays to be careful." Belboz called on Fred to hand him the spear. Fred lifted it to the elevated tunnel, and Belboz was able to grasp it and pull it in easily, as it was light. The mage handed the spear to Checkers. Checkers lit her lantern, its feeble light casting weird shadows on the wall of the tunnel. Checkers, wishing to make conversation with Belboz during the short walk to the Arsenal, asks about
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1/16/2003 7:16:36 PM
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