A Meal and Then A Road...

Artizza

"So....you were not only a human," Synizn begins, a bit wide eyed. "But you, in this seeming, are what the little demifox female looked like, before?"

"Probably," Dragoness Astra answers, glancing over at me (since I happen to be carrying the crystal "block" our demifox sister changed into here). "I say that since it seems to be fate of sort."

By now, we'd told him at least about the how certain people (like him) had duplicates (even if we fail to mention things like parallel worlds). We'd let off, instead, just mentioning that we'd be returning back to a far away land.

He appears to be adjusting to this business, but . . . . goodness he's awkward about it. Well, guess allowances will have to be made during this trip. I sense he means well, but expect gaffs and misunderstandings along the way. Things like getting used to the idea of non-dragons being friends with dragons..... Maybe even him getting used to the idea of "friends".

Somehow, I get a feeling he's definitely out of his depth on certain things. Definitely different than the other dragons I've met so far back on Terra Prime...

In the meantime, we enjoy a . . . Well, nothing against our host, but while he has a vast stock on alcoholic drinks (most VERY strong), his stock of regular foods is on the sparse side. Kind of "bare basic" ingredients for "bare basic" meals. It appears that while he was able to function enough still to hire guards (muscle), I rather doubt his lycanthropy allowed him to be able to retain servants that would cook decent meals for him. Getting decent help nowadays might be so very hard (even in this world), but I rather doubt it helped matters when "the boss" was in the habit of flying into violent rages at even the smallest things (as lycanthropes are in the habit of doing).

Still, it's nice to be able to at least get a bite to eat and get to know our guide better over dinner. That and decide on just what to do next.

First, after the meal we need to do something about any possible search parties that might be coming after the native Fred and Astra. Over the meal my sister, Astra 9 mentioned that by now there is a real possibility that the Queen of Aqualaria has sent out rangers looking for her wayward daughter. While it is unlikely that anyone recognized demifox Astra when she entered Wallants (go figure), there might be a danger that our Astras might be mistaken for her, somehow. Somehow, despite a quick change of hair color that Jarlath did with cantrip before even entering the city (which wasn't mentioned until now, sorry) the rangers might get lucky and find a "fine citizen" that would recognize a face (as well as height) by description.

"Lord knows we had enough fun last time," she mutters, "especially when the rangers mistook Joan for their quarry because of her hairstyle...."

....

Well, the short of it is that more substantial magical disguises will be used during this Quest (even while on the roadways). That and aliases will be used while outside. That goes for not only the more human looking sisters I have, but myself (and my love).

Why us Dark Elves (or proto-Dark Elves, to be technical)? Oh, but do I have to spell out how much ATTENTION we, as we are right now, would attract on an ordinary road? In Wallants, we're tolerated and few to no questions asked here. Back on Terra Prime things have gotten so changed that we're tolerated (and accepted more and more as news of us being Champions spreads), but we're here and not there. And soon we'll be needing to go out and about, you know? We're way too conspicuous as we are now (especially with me being a RED haired Dark Elf, rare indeed). Regular elves with red hair are not unknown (and are common, I find out much to my surprise, on this world), but not red haired Dark Elves....

So my sisters, Dragoness Astra and Astra 9, will appear to be both something less tall (more in line with regular woman of the region). That and for the duration the dragoness shall be blonde while my human sister will be a brunette.

For us elves, something a little less radical will take place. Originally Astra 9 had jokingly suggested that we get magically disguised as dwarves....

....

No. While I'm happy (and rather surprised) to hear that female dwarves (who rarely are seen) do NOT have beards (unlike some worlds called Krynn, wherever that is), I don't wish to appear as one, thanks.

....

Well, fair is fair, dwarves don't want to look like elves either. Not actually bad folks, dwarves, but . . . . let us just say our ideas of what the ideal look differ. Nothing wrong with that, right? Indeed, after all, there was this one male dwarf named Tarin Gazin back on Terra Prime I rather...liked as a comrade. Perfect gentleman, actually...

Would like to know why he shaved his beard, but we didn't have enough time to politely ask him. Later, I and my husband will find out, but that's later....

Well, after a good laugh we all settled for our inky black eyes to appear more "normal". Again, I now have blue eyes while my husband has brown. That and a few other comestic changes to the face (a little less angular, more rounded like what normal elves have instead of Dark Elves) to throw off suspicion (and witnesses, if need be). Both of us have silvery hair (also normal elfin fair) to round things up.

That settled we need to get travel supplies and horses.

Synizn probably needs to do something for his hired help (like pay them to keep watch over his house) while we're away.

And whatever the case, we must be VERY careful while on the road! ON the road we'll go instead of flying because that's, according to both Synizns, what the dragoness Moreau would expect of a newly cured dragon! Lord knows that the female would expect that of Synizn if he managed to cure himself. No doubt soon she'll come out of her island retreat (with all the half animal "toys" Minestus sent over to her to enjoy whilst they slowly lost their humanity as the transformation, failed experiments all....)

....

We'll need to look out for any dark mages who've caught wind of great power being up for grabs (hints dropped by the Demons, no doubt)...

We'll have to look out for DEMIFOXES, for crying out loud! The native Fred and Astra had been their "guests" not too long ago until Synizn grabbed them...

We need to worry about roving bands of Aqualarian rangers for reasons already stated.

Maybe also look out for anyone searching for the native Fred. I'd say it's too early for the Allarians to worry yet, but....

Yes, 'tis going to be an interesting trip....

Meanwhile.....

1. Speaking of demifoxes and their hedge mage ally.....

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree