A Visit to Xyllis
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 48220
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Helia looked at the two newcomers suspiciously. "I'm inclined to
disbelieve you two. Still, you did know the secret passwords known
only to members of the council." After a moment, she motioned two burly
female guards over. "Take these two to Xyllis, the court sorceress," Helia
said. "They shall be examined by her in order to discover their true
nature and purpose." She turned to the other Astra. "Accompany them." The second Astra raised an eyebrow. "Mother, surely you don't think..." Helia shook her head. "What I think is less important than finding the truth. So long as there is any doubt, we must make certain where the Matriarchy stands. Is that clear?" After a brief hesitation, the second Astra nodded. "Perfectly. You two, whoever you are, let's go!" Fred and Astra exchanged a look, but otherwise had no chance to communicate on the trip to see Xyllis. Xyllis was a woman of about 50, plump and matronly, but for all that, not someone to trifle with. After sending the guards out the door, she bid them all to stay silent. Then, after looking them over thoroughly, she had Fred stand in one etched circle, Astra in another, and the "other" Astra stand in yet a third, while she cast all sort of charms and glamours, and occasionally stopped to make notes. All the while, the two Astras kept glancing at each other with varying degrees of curiosity and annoyance. Finally, Queen Helia herself appeared at the door. She started to speak, but a single raised hand from Xyllis was enough to silence even the Matriarch herself. For several more minutes, there was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Finally, though, Xyllis turned and smiled pleasantly at the Queen. "You are waiting for my findings, Your Majesty?" "You know that I am," Helia said impatiently. "What have you found?"
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Bill L.
1/6/2005 9:49:57 PM
Extending Enabled
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