A Welcome Relief

Experimentally, Astra let her thoughts turn to Belboz, but there was no reaction from her clothes. Her smile broadened. She might still be mute, almost absurdly buxom, and without the ability to excrete, but the biggest curse of all had been lifted. Perhaps Belboz/Minestus wasn't as all- powerful as she had begun to fear.

She was free to think ill of him now, but she still could not communicate her thoughts to Fred. Even if she had had Checkers' diptych and stylus available, it would have taken too long.

And thinking about Checkers, she realised that the singing - which she was sure had been that of the Glider - had just ceased. Why had she been singing? Was it intended as some sort of warning? And did its cessation mean that something bad had happened to her?

She gestured at the tunnel above them, trying to indicate to Fred that one of them - or better yet both of them if some way could be found to get them both up there - ought to go and investigate.

Meanwhile, back in the Arsenal:

1. Minestus was aware that Checkers' singing had interfered with his magic.
2. Minestus was aware that something had interfered with his magic, but he didn't know what.
3. Minestus was unaware that his magic had been interfered with.

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