The Silent Voice

Astra heard the voice of Sartoma, as if she were speaking to her, but her lips were not moving.

"Yes, Astra, it is possible to speak in this way without others overhearing. Fred cannot hear this."

"You have just done it, Astra! Now we have to work on you starting the conversation. I think we need Fred's help for that."

"Fred," said Sartoma. "Astra needs some practice talking silently, so that she does not give everyone around her a headache when she speaks. Would you be able to help us?"

"Yes, my lady. What do you need me to do?"

"Just listen, and respond to simple instructions. You may feel a bit tired, or a bit of a headache, but it will not last long."

"Just a little headache? That should be nothing. Please go ahead."

Sartoma then addressed Astra, "I want you to talk to me silently. Fred will be to your right, and I will be in front of you. I want you to say a series of numbers to me, silently. Do not make them easy to guess. Fred, you will repeat them if you can hear them. Do not worry about what Fred does, Astra. Just keep saying numbers."

"I understand. Here it goes. Five."

"Five," Fred said.

"Two."

"Two."

"Eight."

"Eight."

After a few minutes, Fred was wondering if Astra would ever get the hang of it. Then he noticed that the slight fatigue that he was feeling was subsiding, and that Astra had stopped. He looked at her wide- eyed.

Sartoma then said, "Eleven, four, five, and one. I heard you clearly. Fred, would you stand by me?"

Fred stood to Sartoma's left. Astra started calling out numbers again. Fred could hear them at first, but they were quieter. Finally the voice inside his head was stilled.

Sartoma said, "You should have no problem communicating with me at all. With little practice, you should be able to start a silent talk with Fred, although he can never start one as he is not a mage. Talking silently and directly to Solbert and Checkers will be a tougher trick to manage."

"Why would that be?" asked Astra.

"There are differences in the mind of every creature. You know the human mind well, Astra, so it is more than second nature to you. Properly speaking, it is first nature. Gnomes and Gliders have natural differences, as would most other creatures."

"Would you mind if I asked questions?" asked Fred.

"Not at all, Fred."

1. "Why is it that dragons always seem to prefer to kidnap noble damsals? Why not just peasants and artisans?"
2. "Is it true that dragons can read minds? Would I know about it?"

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