Astrid Keeps the Lamp

"Certainly," Astrid replied, thinking fast. "If we are attacked by someone - or something - then I will have greater need of the sword at first. You, not being a fighter, will find the shield more useful than the sword."

"I - I see, I guess," Velus said, hefting the sturdy bronze shield. "But I still don't understand why you're carrying that lamp around. Were it me, I'd toss it as far away as possible and never look back."

"Uhm - Fred and I have determined that the lamp might be of some use as we continue on into theses caves - it might even be helpful against the dragon."

"Really?!" Velus said breathlessly. "How?"

"Well - uh - Fred could probably explain it better than I could, but suffice it to say that I was asked to hold on to it - so I shall."

Velus looked at her for a moment, with an expression that could have meant anything. "Well, I'm sure the two of you know best, Princess Astra. So do we keep on exploring this corridor?"

"Absolutely," Astrid said with a nod. "Let's be on our way."

As they coninued down the tunnel, Astrid considered Velus's behavior so far. He was doing exactly what she'd expect of him if he was an evil force out to kill her and/or seize the lamp with the real Astra in it. Unfortunately, he was also doing what she'd expect if he were just an innocent kid trying to help. There must be some way to figure this out without revealing myself or wasting one of our valuable wishes or both! she thought in irritation.

"We're almost to the spot where it happened, Princess Astra," Velus said. "It was just around this bend up here."

"All right," Astrid said quietly, "We're going to go around the corner slowly, so stay close to me. Understand?" Velus swallowed nervously and nodded.

Cautiously, the two of them made their way up to the curve and slowly peeked around it, where they found...

1. A shimmering doorway of light in the middle of the corridor.
2. That the tunnel seemed to extend on for quite a long ways.
3. That the passageway was blocked by a landslide.
4. A small underground lake.
5. A small dog, chained to the wall.
6. Belboz, smiling nastily.
7. Sir Fred!

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