Forced into Falsehoods
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 42351
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Astra decided that it would not be wise to admit that she was an
Aqualarian. Relations between Aqualaria and Hespan were bad enough [21692]
that her people were not free to travel about Hespan openly. Thus if she
told the satrap her true country of origin he was likely to assume that
she was a spy, especially since she was sure to be disbelieved if she told
how she had arrived in Hespan. [14610] But pretending to be from Califie
had not worked very well last time, since Califs seemed to be regarded
with almost as much distrust as Aqualarians. [18732] And even the not over-
bright Gilder had been suspicious of her claim to be from that land, since
apparently she did not look at all like a typical Calif.
She wished now that she had paid more attention during her lessons on geography and politics. On the basis that, the further a country was from Hespan, the less likely that the two countries would be on bad terms, and also the less likely that the Satrap would know much about it and thus be able to catch her out, she said: "I come from Gana, sir. I am currently travelling from Corona [17389] to Caemlyn. From Caemlyn, I shall travel onwards to my homeland." Astra had been heading west. [41834] Since Corona was the capital of the southermost province of Hespan, Caemlyn - capital of Allaria - seemed like a plausible destination for her to give, as it lay in the right direction. Of course, once she had left Hespan safely behind, she intended to turn south and make for Aqualaria by the most direct route. "Then you are a very long way from home, Astra Khanom, especially for a woman travelling alone," the Satrap said, fixing her with his uncomfortably shrewd eyes. "It is true that within Hespan the risk of your running into trouble is comparatively small, but once you cross the border into the Eastern Kingdoms the land is but sparsely populated and often wild, and you would be a tempting target for brigands. At least, you would be if you had any money, but presumably that was stolen along with your clothes. Which raises the question of how you can manage to pay for food and overnight shelter on your journey, now that you are penniless. Your only asset is your horse, and you cannot afford to sell that, for the journey is far too long to be made on foot. Perhaps whoever you were visiting in Corona can help you, and you should return there? That is a comparatively short and safe journey. I would be happy to provide you with enough provisions for that, along with something for you to wear, of course. Gorbeh can escort you as far as the border of my satrapy, which will take you almost halfway back to Corona." Though it was good news that the Satrap did not seem to suspect her, that she be escorted out of Polabi was a most unwelcome suggestion. Astra did not wish to have to go a considerable distance back in the direction of greater danger. It would also mean that she would have no chance to collect her sword.
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JH (for the geography, see the map on WolfRun's site)
5/26/2004 10:23:53 AM
Extending Enabled
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