The Red Collar

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 23361

Astra feared that the black armour would squeeze the life out of her, as she could not think of Belboz without brooding on his hypocrisy, injustice, and lechery. She had to do something. Impulsively, she concentrated on an emotion that would overcome the wave of resentment against Belboz that she knew would kill her. She felt a great need to display some form of affection. She shocked Fred by using her great strength to pull him in toward her and sweep him off his feet. She planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek, embracing him firmly. Fred did not resist, but gently returned the embrace, and softly kissed Astra in return

While Astra might have also have kissed Peter the Swineherd as a desparate act to avoid getting crushed by the enchanted armour, Astra actually did feel a surge of affection for Fred, and for a number of reasons put more passion into the kiss than she might otherwise have. Astra did notice that Fred seemed concerned about her 'seizures', and had tried to ease the pain. The Allarian nobility was considered somewhat rude and rustic by Aqualarian standards, but the straightforward and honest manner of Fred was a welcome relief to that of the devious and manipulative Belboz. It was nice not to have someone trying to dominate her for a change. Even though the respite from Belboz was temporary, it was welcome, and she hoped that Fred and his odd companion could find a way to free her. Although she still was mute and was plagued by the enchanted armour, the touch of humanity that Fred's embrace showed made her feel as if she had been released from a prison.


The sudden forceful embrace of the princess and her passionate kiss shocked Fred. He had no idea that the Aqualarian women were so forward in their declarations of love, and could make these decisions so suddenly! Fred was not comfortable with this - in Suffex, the maidens were more coy and demure. Besides, the lady was delusional, and prudence dictated that he should keep his distance. On the other hand, Fred, adhering to his chivalric code, could not push away Astra and possibly break her spirit. He would do his duty and comfort the afflicted princess. Of course, he thought to himself, this did not really feel like 'duty.' The princess was not only strong, but beautiful, and it was easy to return her affection. Fred gently stroked her silky, long, auburn hair, and, ending his kiss, stared deeply into her blue eyes. He sensed an odd amalgam of strength, pride, and fear, as well as affection. He decided that he would offer to act as her champion.

"My lady," declared Fred. "I sense that you have been greatly wronged by the dragon. I came to these caves seeking to win renown as the dragonslayer. After seeing you, I shall rededicate my efforts to bringing the corrupt beast to justice. And I swear an oath - I shall not return to Camelyn, or to Suffex, or any of the lands of Allaria, until I shall hear your voice. Please allow me to act as your champion, and grant me an object showing me your favour."


"Good Lord, the Allarians are corny," thought Astra. "But I would rather listen to a sincere if windy knight of Suffex rather than ... best not to think about him. I would gladly give him a cut of cloth from this armour, but I cannot get it off. There is one object that I can give him."

Astra pinched a lock of her long, red hair, and held it forward, offering it to Fred as a token of her affection. Fred cut it with his sharp sword. Astra braided it, and formed it into a thin collar that Fred could wear. Fred smiled, and placed the collar around his neck. His blood quickened as he felt a heightened importance of his mission - he was now fighting a champion for his lady in addition to his duty to Allaria.


Belboz and Checkers leaned out over the murky room where the Arsenal should be. Belboz brought out two stones from the folds of his pocket, and placed them in the cup of his right palm. He clapped his hands repeatedly, in a steady pattern. Checkers saw a faint light, but as Belboz continued to clap, the light grew stronger and stronger, until she could not look at it directly. Shapes in the chamber below slowly became better defined. The cavern appeared to be part warehouse, and part workshop. Checkers was a bit disappointed that she did not see the remnants of swords, or staves, or horses, or other items that one might associate with an arsenal. Lining the wall to the right, (toward the keystone entrance?) were great wooden casks. Perhaps they contained boiling oil? She had heard of such things in reading the old romances. In the centre of the far wall was a great hearth, choked with what appeared to be ashes. She also saw some half-burned logs nearby. It appeared that this was perhaps a gigantic furnace. The little ridges in the wall now appeared to be metal beams that had pegs in them at regular intervals, although she did not know why. She thought that she could spy some mechanical devices whose purpose she could not fathom. Toward the left there appeared to be a couple of exits.

"Do you know what that is, Checkers?", asked Belboz, holding the great source of light without appearing to have any difficulty with doing so.

"I have no idea, sir."

"Checkers, do you know what alchemy is?"

"No, sir."

"Your race is fairly conservative. They don't practice magic, do they?"

"We do not recognize it as such. No offense, sir. Things do happen that we cannot explain - yet. However, that is all that 'magic' means. And of course a Glider would never claim to be a magician - if a worthy Glider discovered a 'magic' power, he would let the city elders or Burgesses know about his discovery. So magic in the sense that you are talking about - no, it is discouraged."

"That is an interesting way of looking at it. Checkers, there is going to be a lot of magic here, as well as some hidden lore. These caves have a history that goes back many centuries, back before you and I were born. I have felt an excitement that I have not felt for a long time, but also a concern. We have to be careful. That being said, I feel that we should investigate those mechanical devices, and what is in those barrels."

"The rope ladder does not quite stretch to the ground. How do we get down, and then how do we get back up?"

  1. "I have an idea," Belboz replied.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree


Anableps

1/18/2003 6:27:44 PM

Extending Enabled

The Never Ending Quest Home

Extend-A-Story Home

21384654 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.

Do not click me.