Identity Crisis

"I see." the Dragoness said. "I guess Leonora finally bit off more than she could chew. Poor little maggot."

"So there's no way you could..."

The Dragoness shook her head. "No, I can't raise the dead."

"Well then." Fred said. "Sorry for wasting your time like that, ma'am. I guess I'll be going."

He turned and tried to walk away as casually as he could with two big sacks of gold, when a rumbling cough froze him in his tracks.

"I'm afraid not." the Dragoness said. "You see, I am currently short one servant. I don't mind you killing my mate - he was no more use to me anyway - but I think I'd like to keep Leonora around."

"But I'm not Leonora." Fred said.

"Not yet. After I erase your memories and implant a set of new ones, you will serve as a perfect substitute. And you should eventually learn how to use all of Leonora's powers."

Fred sighed and hung his head. There seemed to be no chance of talking his way out of this one.

Velus kept a watchful eye on his soldiers as he walked. There had been no other path except by the Dragon's hoard, and they seemed much happier now. Pockets bulged visibly, and every rucksack had been cleared out to make room for gold.

"Yee-haw!" Chang yelled with glee. "I'm gonna use this shiny yellow stuff to buy lots and lots of gold! Then I'll be rich!"

"Ugh! But its so heavy." Ailsen groaned. "Can't we take a break?"

"Seriously, Commander, what are we still doing in these caves?" Daggart asked. "We can go home and buy our own mansions now."

"We have our mission." Velus said grimly. "If any man tries to desert, I'll kill him myself.

The cave passage began to turn. Velus' heart skipped a beat. This was where he last saw the Dragonslayer. Suddenly a loud rumbling coughing sound jarred his senses. Waving his men to a halt, he drew his sword and ran to peer around the bend.

What he saw made his flesh crawl. There was the witch that had killed Lord Fred - standing in front of a Dragon almost twice as big as the first one! How could there be two Dragons? Velus supressed an urge to attack head-on. There was no way he could kill a Dragon on his own, and his men wouldn't be much help... except maybe as bait? He glanced at Ailsen, Chang and Daggart - to see them running as fast as they could the other way. Velus almost yelled in frustration, but stopped himself in time.

1. Sneak after the witch and the Dragon to wait for an opportunity to strike.
2. Attack head-on anyway.
3. Chase down his troops and give them a savage thrashing.

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