The Exposition of Paula and Berenice

Paula and Berenice (who still felt somewhat isolated from the others after the incident with the dragon) set about gathering some ripened berries from a nearby bush, while Frederica got a small fire going. Astra, working barehanded, managed to catch two large fish for supper. Afterwards, settling in for the night, the four fell into talking.

"I still find it hard to believe that Allaria has a princess no one knows about," Astra said.

"It does, and I am she," Frederica said glumly. "And thanks to the curse, even if I were to return home, not only would Gunther not recognize me, but my own parents would likely have me thrown in the dungeon for 'impersonating' royalty. All thanks to that evil Crucius!"

"Crucius!!" Paula exclaimed, spitting on the ground and uttering a most un-ladylike oath.

"If I never see him again, it will be much too soon," Berenice added with a shudder.

"Well, how did you fall into his clutches?" Frederica asked curiously. "When I first saw you both, he'd already turned you into skeletons."

Paula sighed. "Crucius came to the home of my father, who was the Baron of Cargeen in Hespan. He offered him a deal to make him ruler of all Hespan. Father took him up on it, but Crucius betrayed him. My father was arrested as a traitor, and Crucius made off with all his treasure - including me!" A single tear trailed down her face. "The - the last I saw of my father, the King's men were hauling him off in chains, and I couldn't even say goodbye becuase that wicked man already had me paralyzed with his spell!"

"When I met him," Berenice added softly, "He had you (I assume it was you, at least) accompanying him as a sort of servent - you'd fetch water, cook, clean, or do whatever he commanded you. I was easy prey for him - he said he would help me, but he wound up ensnaring me, too."

"Helping you do what?" Astra asked suspiciously, still not entirely trusting Berenice.

Berenice hung her head. "My mother - the countess - banished me from the family lands for - well, having an affair with my sister's husband. It was stupid, I know, but I thought he really loved me! But once we were caught, he said I was the one who seduced him! He convinced Pamela and mother both of it, and she disowned me on the spot! I had no protection, no money, and was quite desperate to get back in mother's good graces. And Crucius said he'd fix it where I'd never have to worry about it again!"

"I'd say he nearly succeeded," Frederica added grimly.

There seemed to be little to say after that, and they decided to get what sleep they could, placing the chest in their midst for safekeeping.

1. The next morning, they continued on their way.
2. The next morning, they awoke to find themselves dwarven girls again.
3. The next morning, they awoke to discover the chest had vanished!
4. During the night, they found an intruder in their camp.
5. During the night, they awoke to the smell of smoke nearby.

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