The Seventh Match

Belboz approached the circle. It was time to prepare. First he would have a word with Astra. Astra shut her eyes and grimaced as Belboz had talked to her, using the silent speech.

Belboz said, I expect you to hold back a little. It will go much better if you let me get to the rope first.

Astra replied, I fully agree. This evening gown is uncomfortable for combat, and the idea of close physical combat does not appeal to me any more than it does for you. The strangers might think a little less of my ability, but that really is not important.

Astra now breathed a little easier as Belboz stopped trying to read her mind. Belboz knew how to marshall his power for a time so that, even though his form would not change, his strength would be greatly increased, and that he would be as steadfast as an oak. He had used to time outside to prepare, and he should be easily able to summon that strength whenever he needed it during the Challenge.

As he breathed deeply, waxing in strength, he noted Astra's preparation. She was motioning to her twin for a long piece of rope. Whatever for? Tarin happened to have a piece in his gear, and he gave it to the referee, who then declared that Astra could not use it as a weapon. Astra T. nodded to confirm that she had understood. She raised the hem of her skirt to her belly, and tied the rope around her waist, holding the skirt securely in place. Belboz smiled. You can now move more easily. You would not be showing those fine legs for my benefit, would you? he thought to himself. Astra T. then dropped into a sort of sprinter's stance, with her right hand on the ground. Her left knee was bent at a right angle, close to the ground, and her right leg was fully extended to the back. Everyone in the audience expected her to run for the rope and grab it before Belboz could do anything.

Belboz appeared to be thinking deeply. He motioned to the referee, Astra's twin, asking for more time. The referee quickly glanced at Astra T., who nodded her head to indicate that she had no objection. He appeared to be sizing up his opponent, concentrating on the collar of her evening gown, which was now drooping slightly toward the ground.

Astra now felt another dull headache.

Astra, I have had quite enough of the arrogance of these strangers. I would rather that you put up a bit of a fight. I will still win, of course, but I want your effort to look better than that your twin, should I meet her. You may take the rope. Leave the rest to me.

Astra nodded slightly, to emphasize that she understood.

Belboz nodded to the referee, and she dropped the rope.

Astra ran to the middle of the ring and grabbed the rope with her right hand. She stood up, and raised both hands to her neck to tie the rope, as Belboz had planned. He had slipped in behind her, and flung his right arm over hers and grabbed her left wrist. Both of her hands were now pinned.

His left hand was feeling along the top of his right arm for the rope, moving from Astra's left to her right. Astra was trying to wrench her hands free. Astra bent her knees, pushing into Belboz and hoping the she could either lift him off the ground or unsettle him to the point where she could move. But the spell that gave Belboz his strength allowed him to stand fast. Astra wanted to drop the rope, but with her hands pressed against her body, the rope was trapped against her chest.

Belboz tried to find the rope. Astra was a little taller than he was, so even when he craned his neck to look over her shoulder, he still could not quite see it. His left hand was now on top of Astra's right hand, which lay flat on his chest. He then found something, just at her fingertips. He grabbed it in the middle, and gave it a yank.

Belboz could feel Astra shudder, and if he had not put the spell of silence on her, she would have screamed. He had not grabbed the rope at all. He had grabbed the strap of her shift, and had cut into the skin under her armpit. He understood his mistake, and pulled the strap of the shift straight down over her right shoulder, and past her elbow.

Still not quite sure of where the rope was, Belboz began a thorough exploration of the Amazon. He gently rubbed the area just under his right hand, and slowly worked his way across Astra's chest toward his right elbow. The referee, looking uncomfortable, was about to say something, but Astra looked into her eyes and gave a slight shake of the head. Astra C. shrugged her shoulders and observed, ready to break up this unequal combat if her twin thought that was needed.

Belboz finally found the rope, pinned under his arm and Astra's right wrist. He somewhat regretted that this combat was about to end, as he had enjoyed the search. He loosened his grip on Astra and grabbed the end of the rope. Astra turned, and placed her left hand behind Belboz's head, trying to block him from tying the rope off. She is playing her role very well. Resisting to the last. thought Belboz. She started to stroke the back of his head, running her fingers gently through his hair. Belboz chuckled a little. If the referee was not going to stop this, he was not going to, either. He would give in and delay his victory a little. He still had control of the rope.

Astra placed her right hand against Belboz's chest, and returned the earlier favour by gently running her hand across it. She then stopped, put her left arm down to her side, and looked him straight in the eye. Belboz puckered his lips and kissed her, while using his hands to work Astra's gown and shift off her left shoulder. Success! He scanned Astra's mind. He could tell that she was greatly excited about something that was about to happen, but worried that something would happen to break it up. Probably the referee calling the match, thought Belboz to himself, although there is no sign of that happening. Now she felt a headache, and her excitement was dissipating. Very good. Carry on, said Belboz silently, and he stopped his evesdropping. Astra smiled at him as her headache went away, and then resumed stroking the back of his hair with her left hand, while using the right to rub in gentle circles just under his collarbone. Belboz's hands were now working on Tarin's rope, which held the gown and shift in place around her waist. She had tied it very securely. Everything else in this combat had yielded to him; surely this would, too, shortly. This was one of the joys that one could experience in human form that one never felt as a dragon. The shot of excitement, the quickening pulse, the sense of euphoria, the shortness of breath.... Astra now had both hands around his neck, while still kissing him. Let go, Astra. he called. Her grip tightened, and he was starting to black out. LET GO, ASTRA. he projected, with as much power as he could. To his horror, he now understood that she had no intention of letting go.

1. Belboz desparately tries to transform into the dragon.
2. Astra manages to choke Belboz.

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