The Echoes of Checkers' Song

Fred spoke to his charming companion. "My lady, if only you could speak! What tales you would have to tell! There seems to be so much that you would want to tell me, but cannot convey by the means of a diptytch and stylus."

"Believe me, I want to." Astra thought. She tried not to concentrate on Belboz. She could see that Fred was not only chivalrous, but had picked her as 'his lady.' He might be better disposed to hear the truth from her, if only she could convey it. "Besides," she thought wryly, "Lord Fred now has some incentive to get me out of this cursèd armour."

Fred stopped and held his hand to his ear. Astra did so as well, and it was almost as if there were a singing coming from the tunnel. Astra's heart skipped a beat -- she suddenly comprehended that the Glider was alone with Belboz! "May she be preserved!" thought Astra.

Something changed. There was neither light, nor smell, nor sound to indicate a change, but Astra felt different. She then found out that

1. her voice had returned. The silence that Belboz imposed had been lifted.
2. the black armour had changed to a sober black broadcloth blouse and skirt. It was no longer skin-tight.
3. the spell that had paralyzed her normal body functions was broken. She was sweating again.

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