Two Pairs

His thoughts were interrupted by Checkers: "Belboz, perhaps you wouldn't mind answering a question. What do you know of the dragon?"

"Not all that much, my dear. In fact, probably less than Astra does, though even if she wasn't mute I certainly wouldn't advise asking her. You saw the bad effect that thinking about the dragon can have on her."

"Indeed, and it's very sad. But you have been living in these caves for quite some time, have you not? Surely you must have learned quite a lot about the beast?"

"As I explained, for my own self-preservation I have always made sure that I stay well away from him. I rarely, if ever, venture into those areas where he roams. And fortunately he is a creature of habit, so he does not stray into the part of the cave system where I live."

"So why are you taking the risk of helping us now?"

"As you know, beyond bringing you and Fred together so that you could help one another, originally I had not intended to aid you in your quest. However when I saw what had happened to poor Astra, I felt that it was high time that something was done. So, though I am a man of peace and not a warrior, I decided that I should come with you and give you what aid I could."

"And I'm sure that I speak for all of us when I say that we are very grateful. Ah, here's the end of the tunnel."

Meanwhile Astra, since she could not bring herself to think well of Belboz, was trying to avoid thinking about him at all. This was not easy, and once or twice she lapsed and felt a slight warning constriction of her armour. This latest spell of his was the most devilish yet (not that she dared think of it in those terms, of course). At least before she had been able to think freely when his attention was not focussed on her, which had been for much of the time.

She tried to concentrate on thinking about Fred and Checkers, since it was comparatively easy to think positively about them. Fred seemed brave and kind, and she had to admit that he was rather handsome. Checkers too seemed brave and caring, and she also appeared to be clever and resourceful. Any initial prejudice that she might have felt towards one of what in Aqualarian legends were unflatteringly known as "harpies" had quickly been dispelled.

As Astra thought, Fred had been keeping an eye on her, alert for any sign that she might have another "seizure". She seemed all right at the moment, but perhaps he ought to talk to her to make sure that she did not brood on her terrible experiences. "Isn't Belboz a wonderful man?" he said.

It was something of a rhetorical question, since he knew that Astra could not reply. But he was both surprised and concerned by her reaction. She winced and seemed to grow agitated.

1. Fred recalled that Belboz had said that sometimes Astra thought that he was the dragon, and so he changed the subject and started telling her of his life back in Allaria.
2. To his astonishment, Astra put her hands over her ears.
3. In desperation, Astra came up with a novel method of simultaneously silencing Fred and taking her mind off Belboz. She leant over and kissed him!
4. Meanwhile, we return our attention to Checkers and Belboz.

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