Aftermath

Astra did not fully understand the poisonous hold of Minestus until it had been removed by his death. She felt as if she had been given a second life. There was no tap, no snide voice -- none of that! She was free, and for a time the future was intoxicating. Her clothes hung loosely on her and she was sweating; the last spell of Minestus had been broken. Fred would be back in a few days. She would see her family and friends again. The northern lands would be safe to hunt in, and her subjects would not be harassed. A future that she dared not ever dream about was at hand.

For Checkers, the rest of the journey would be an anti-climax. She had accomplished her quest. Getting back to the Dolomite League would be a daunting task. She had resigned herself to never seeing home again. Perhaps she could visit some of these exotic places like Suffex and Aqualaria in these Eveninglands before turning home, and maybe write an account that would astound the other Gliders. She doubted many would believe half of what she saw, but they would have to believe the dragon skin. If the powers-that-be permitted, and she could ever get back home, though, she could live her life quietly in the dull, safe, obscure RDL, protected by the virtue and unity of the republic and the vigilence of the burgesses and the elders. Or so she thought. The possible implications of the medallion [30658] and her apparent aptitude for magic [35561] did not even cross her thought at this crowded moment.

Astra's practical side soon asserted itself. "Checkers, you need a wash in the spring, and I need a weapon. We still have to be wary. There may be other creatures [42794] in the caves, such as that goblin."

Checkers sighed, but nodded her head. "I would hate to come all that way just to be eaten by a wallhugger, although my task is done. I have an idea. If we can find a knife, we could take some of the dragon's hide, get someone to tan it, and make coats out of it. I know that is not something that we need to do just now, but I really need some sort of proof that I killed the dragon. And I think that I would rather have a coat that I could wear rather than to have to carry something bulky like an eyeball."

1. Astra and Checkers look for a light and weapon.
2. Fred and Alric are in transit.
3. Somewhere in the Red Dolomite Range, far to the east, a Glider discovers something unsettling.

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