Astra vs Jarlath

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 46804

"Well," said Astra C sardonically, remembering Artizza's battle with Annafrid. "It seems that great minds think alike." Jarlath chuckled, feeling slightly guilty and glad that his other wife was out gathering mushrooms, although he knew that she respected the new Champion who'd been able to defeat her honorably. "So, shall we?"

"I don't know," said Jarlath hesitantly. "After all this time of being married, I think we know each others' strengths and weaknesses very well. You're much better at strategy and other such things than I am."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," said Astra C. "I'm certainly not going to pretend to any false modesty about my strategic gifts and training, but sometimes I do become so caught up in the moment that I lose track of the overall problems. For instance, in my previous battle I attacked Tarin by kicking him in an unseemly place, which undermined our positions somewhat. Whereas your handling of your battle with Checkers was perfect." She smiled that incredibly beautiful smile that Astras have throughout the multiverse, and for a moment Jarlath forgot all his troubles. "Did you know that at least in my universe and in Terra no one has ever thought to do that before you in all the history of the Challenge? And yet it fit the Challenge's spirit perfectly. No doubt your name will be legendary in my land after this."

"Mmm-hmm," said Jarlath. While certainly pleased with that statement, he found it a little overwrought. In general, although everyone recognized its importance, it seemed that Astra C was taking the competition rather more seriously than the others. She seemed to find it almost sacred. He felt a momentary regret that there was very little that mattered to him in that way, as well as slight resentment that there was something that was so integral to Astra C and her culture that he'd known nothing about until today. But then again, perhaps this was not surprising considering the things that she would never know or understand about him.

"There's something else that's troubling you, isn't there," said Astra firmly. Jarlath felt his heart freeze.

He wanted to say something about the dream and let everything loose, but he dared not. What he had had in the last ten years of his life had been truly beautiful, though now he wondered if he hadn't always suspected that despite the promises of the Rules and Agents it would not last. He was afraid that if he spoke a word, it would all be over and he would wake up alone, mad, and blind once more. Perhaps he would have been able to say something if both his wives had been present, but he also feared speaking only to one and not the other. "Not really," he lied. "It's just that there's something that is breaking my hold on magic. When I try to cast a spell, I feel like a blind man stumbling in a ditch. I'm worried I may be more of a disadvantage to us than an advantage as I am now." As he said these words, he was aware of the terrible fittingness of his choice of words, but it also gave him a faint hope. Perhaps whatever had disrupted his power was also disrupting his vision. Perhaps his dream had lied to him and nothing would be lost. But he knew this was a lie as soon as he'd thought it. Since he'd been scorched by the mystic fire all those years agoo, he no longer had the luxury of clinging to illusions. At least he really was able to say that what had happened to his power made him afraid too. Even though his power was beginning to weigh him down once more, he still felt he was nothing without it.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," said Astra. "It has always been taught among my people that a brave heart will always be of use in a battle even if not accompanied by a strong body. Although in your case, your strength is not one of body. And besides, perhaps whatever was affecting your magic is no longer the case."

Jarlath pondered. As he began to turn his mind to thoughts of the task at hand, his fears weakened, though he knew that they would never entirely leave. "Perhaps. Nonetheless, perhaps we could have another competition like the last one I participated. I know that it would be good to ascertain whether or not magic will work for me at this point, but I do not want to put you at risk in the process."

"Very well then," said Astra C. They walked into the circle, side by side, and took their places at the opposite end. Astra C looked her husband in the eye. She was angry that something was troubling her husband so deeply but she could not pin down what, though she had terrible suspicions. He was fooling himself if he thought she didn't know. They were Eternal Champions, and love among Champions was more deply bound into their being than with those who had never been given this calling. She knew his heart, and she knew it was troubled. Nonetheless, now that the challenge was at hand she could put all worries of anything else firmly out of her mind. It felt wrong to her to approach the Challenge this way, even though she knew in her mind that it fit the spirit of the Challenge. She was not sure how well she would perform in a contest of riddles. Still, an important part of the Challenge was ascertaining how the warrior would face unexpected challenges. She would handle it to the best of her ability.

Jarlath, meanwhile, found himself evading the gaze of Astra C. He knew that his wife was no idiot, and was clever and thoughtful enough to handle a moderately difficult riddle. He knew his wife's capabilites after all their time together. He would have to think of one that was challenging but would also fair.

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11/23/2004 6:09:56 PM

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