The First Envoys

Astra needed to be away from camp, and needed time to sort this vision this out. She thought about exploring inland, but the sound of the surf crashing against the beach appealed to her more. She was now in dragon form, which was much less stressful to her, and she waded slowly into the water. She did not know if dragons could swim, but that was not what she wanted to do, anyway. All she wanted to do was stand in the surf, with the waves washing over her, and let the low roar of the ocean block out the world.

After a few minutes, she thought about her dream again. Taking too grim a view of her situation would get her nowhere. In order to guide her new people to peace, prosperity, and a good life, she needed a vision and then get them to believe in it. The neighbours of the League were not going to go away. She had to understand what was happening. She resolved to go to Westmark. She would introduce herself, although not as the new protector of the League, but as someone of good will who wished to learn about Westmark's citizens. Her appearance as the princess of Aqualaria would be best, as that fair form would be not be threaten those men. Fred would be needed as well. As a man and a warrior, this Stan of Westmark might more readily accept him as a peer. Sartoma would good to bring as well, as she might be able to dazzle them with magic. Astra felt good about their possibilities of success in keeping a truce on the human side.

She would need to send different envoys to the Glider homeland. Checkers was obviously essential here, but it was unfair and risky to rely on her alone. She thought that she might be able to get away with sending Solbert in support. The sheer size and bulk of humans, much less dragons, would intimidate the Gliders, but the shorter gnome should prove less threatening. She had hoped that she could possibly transform into a Glider and accompany them, but she was not counting on it. Apparently she had to drink the marrow of a dog to become a hellhound. If harming a Glider were required to be able to transform into one, she would just have to work without being able to make that particular transformation.

Astra thought to herself, "So I drop off Solbert and Checkers near the Glider homeland, and they scout out and prepare the way. I then double back to Westmark, and find out about what plans this Stan of Westmark has, and then try to be helpful. Then I meet Checkers and Solbert somewhere. Hopefully they will have prepared the Gliders for the shock of my arrival, and can counsel me on how and when to make my appearance."

Astra was now in a hopeful mood. She had her work cut out for her, but she had a broad idea of what she wanted to do. The details could wait another day. She lounged in the shallows for an hour while the tide rolled out, and told herself that she would like to come back to this pleasant and remote island one day. She walked back to camp, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

1. The next morning ...

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