Back Home - But Still With Plenty of Problems

The Council was currently in session, with Astra's mother - Queen Helia - sitting at the head of a long table, and her counsellors - all women, of course - arrayed on either side. The Queen rose, as she did so drawing her sword, for if two unknown people suddenly materialised in the Council Chamber then it was only natural to fear the worst, even though the intruders were unarmed and looked harmless enough.

"Who are you?" Helia asked. "How did you get in? What is your business here? Unless you have a very good explanation, you will be spending some time in the palace dungeons."

"This may be hard for you to believe," Astra replied, wishing that she could make her voice sound graver and not quite so girlish. "But I am your daughter, Astra. I have been through many adventures since I saw you last and, as you can see, have been transformed by a mage. So has my companion and dear friend, who is rightly Lord Frederigo D'Honaire from the Duchy of Suffex in Allaria. As proof, here are the secret passwords that only Council members know: plugh and xyzzy."

A voice came from behind them: "I don't know how you learnt the passwords, but you cannot be Princess Astra. For, you see, I am."

Turning, Fred and Astra saw that a very familiar figure had just entered the chamber. Tall, red-haired, athletic-looking yet very beautiful, there was no doubt that the new arrival had Astra's body as it had formerly been.

Was this some imposter, disguised or transformed by the use of powerful magic? Or could Vincent's teleportation spell somehow have sent them back in time, to before Astra had left on her quest? Or could they have arrived in some alternative reality, where Astra had never left home?

1. "This may seem like a strange question," Fred said. "But what's today's date?"
2. "They shall be examined by the court sorceress," Helia said, "in order to discover their true nature and purpose."
3. "Guards!" Helia said. "Take these two to the dungeons. They shall stay there till they are ready to tell the truth."
4. Just then, Dr Vincent materialised, looking harrassed.

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