the Threat

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 4036

Weylen Rift turned his back upon the knight from Allaria and walked to his steed.

"Change her back," said Fred a second time.

Rift fumbled with something in his pack, when he turned from the horse there was a gleam in his eye. The Crystallic was no longer in his hand, it was replaced by a small satchel.

"You are in no position to command me, you are in no position at all. Besides, why be angry when you should be grateful! If the BMC found my departure from Walants a wee bit unorthodox and if they by some chance sent any para-legals up this route - all they will find is one lawyer on a camping trip with his trusty assistant, a young apprentice and an exotic lass from far distant lands. You would be able to play the part of my apprentice, no?" Rift smiled at the thought, then he continued. "You wouldn't want to go back to Walants my dear knight. Detention in the interrogation cells would do nothing for your health. It is better that no one recognize you nor Astra. And just look at our beauty queen! Why, if even Astra's parents were to see her in this state they wouldn't recognize her!" He faced Astra as he finished his thought: "Indeed my ebony princess, if you ever wish to claim your Aqualarian birthright you had better behave - and ensure that Fred behave as well."

Astra's eyes widened at this threat even as Fred's contracted to mere slits through which he glared at the man. The knight fumed within at how casually the lawyer had used dragon magic, and he was frustrated that he could do nothing to aid his comrade, nothing but bide his time.

"You know," smirked Rift almost gloatingly. "I was thinking of selling this gem to some mage, but now that I've used it - I intend to keep it."

Tarin frowned at that; perhaps it was at the man's seeming over- confidence, perhaps it was for some other reason. Yet frown he did until a thought came unbidden to his mind and the frown was replaced by a smile. "Master Rift," said the dwarf. "You told me to remind you when our day began to lag, we doddle too long here. We should go."

Rift looked at the dwarf and turned to his horse. "Our meal is over, our disguise complete. Yes, let us go."

The leftovers were packed anew by Tarin while the others mounted their horses. Both Fred and Astra were silent while Rift hummed softly, his mood most gleeful. As their steeds trotted forward Rift came close to Astra and asked her more questions about the lair and its location on the map. When he felt he knew enough, he left her side and led the foursome in a newly energized gallop. Rift led the way, Fred and Astra were in the middle and Tarin-Gazin served as the sweep.

Fred nudged his pony closer to Astra and asked her where they were going. "We're headed up a different route than when you and I came down. We shall continue north up this cart road until we see some local shrine, it is marked by three birch trees. From there Rift wants us to follow the western edge of the Goth."

"But that will take us and keep us within the Salmonshire!" remarked Fred.

"Not only that, but we'll be in the damn 'thorn country' as well. I guess you never thought rescuing a princess would've got you into so much trouble! The gods have been very fickle of late."

  1. The journey continues with unexpected swiftness and they do not stop until dusk.
  2. The scenery changed under galloping hooves, yet the speed with which they traveled only disguised the danger that they were in.

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8/31/1999 7:08:27 PM

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