On the Shores of the Midnight Sea

Audrey the fairy looked Fred over and then said, "You're not from around here, are you?"

Fred shrugged, "Where exactly is 'here'?"

Audrey pointed at the wide sea that lapped the edges of the sandy beach Fred had found himself on. "Do you know what that is?"

Fred shook his head, "No. Is it the Aryn Ocean by any chance?"

Audrey laughed, the sound reminding Fred of tinkling bells. "Oh no, not the Aryn. That is the Midnight Sea."

"WHAT?!" Fred yelped. He couldn't believe what the fairy had just said. The Midnight Sea wasn't anywhere near the Southern Caves. It wasn't even anywhere near Allaria, his home. Whatever magic ran through that strange underground river he had sunk into was most powerful indeed to have taken him to this far off place. Fred thought for a moment of the lessons he'd had as a youth; he knew that the Midnight Sea, or the Arden as his own people called it, lay far to the west of Allaria, beyond the Carpathia Mountains. So he new his home lay to the east. But beyond that he had no idea where he was.

Fred turned back to Audrey. She obviously knew where she was so he might as well ask her. "If that is the Midnight Sea than this (Fred waved his hand at the long, sandy beach) could be the Arabi Desert. Is that where I am, my friend? Or have I been sent even further west than that?" Fred hoped that it was indeed the Arabi that he had been sent into. He was not very familiar with the place but he knew that people lived there and that there were cities and kingdoms to be found in the desert hills. Kingdoms like Ithiopa and Kerudar. Savage kingdoms to be sure, but filled with splendor and wonder as well. If not for his Quest Fred would have been quite happy about his unexpected change in locale. Seeking out adventure was a part of his nature and what could be more adventurous than traveling among the strange desert peoples of the Arabi?

But alas, Fred did have a Quest to take care of, and it took precedence over everything else.

Audrey smiled at the knight and answered, "Promise to come with me and aid me in my cause and I will tell you exactly where you are."

1. Fred refuses
2. Fred has no other choice but to agree

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