Going Over It Again

"I don't doubt your word, Xyllis, and I greatly doubt that one of them is a princess," she said, indicating the giggling girls, each amorously clinging to the arms of a very dismayed Vincent, "But something is obviously amiss here, and I would like very much to understand it before we do anything hasty. I want you to examine them again, and my daughter as well. And I want this mage to observe."

"Whatever for?"

"Either you are right and he is wrong, or he is right and we have been somehow deceived. Either way, the two of you will check each other, and hopefully, settle this matter once and for all."

"But - my queen, what if he is the cause of all this?"

"I will have guards posted inside and outside this chamber, keeping an eye on him - and them - at all times." Xyllis was still obviously unhappy with this, but Queen Helia was not to be dissuaded. "I realize that this is frustrating to you, my sorceress, but I wil take no chances where either the matriarchy or my daughter are concerned - and if you were matriarch, you would do no less."

Xyllis was still less than pleased, but she did as Helia asked. Vincent bade Astra and Freda to return to the examination circles, which they did reluctantly. And Queen Helia sent for Princess Astra to return at once.

1. The tests were run again - and to Vincent's surprise, it showed just what Xyllis said.
2. The tests were run again - and to Xyllis's surprise, it showed just what Vincent said.
3. The tests were run again - and to everyone's surprise, the results were entirely inconclusive.
4. But Princess Astra refused to return.
5. But before the tests could be run again, Pronklezilch arrived, claiming the two girls were his servants.

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