Telling It Like It Is

If it was just me, and I had to remain in this form forever, I would not hesitate to attack, Astrid thought. But I cannot allow Astra to forfeit her humanity, even at the cost of failing my king!

Her decision made, Astrid stepped forward.

"You are correct, Dragon - my aura is changed. Though I look exactly like her. I am not Princess Astra. Currently, I go by the name "Astrid", but my real name is Frederigo, Lord D'Honaire of Allaria."

"I see," the dragon rumbled. "And is this djinn, also wearing the Princess's form, responsible for this?"

"No," Astrid said. "In fact, this djinn wears Astra's form because - because she is Astra, Princess of Aquilaria. And we are here," she went on briskly, "in order to request your aid."

"Hmmm," the dragon said, "This should be interesting. Please, Lord Astrid, tell me what this is all about."

And Astrid did, leaving nothing out (sensing that dissembling with the dragon would not help their case), from her own arrival in the caves as Fred, the discovery of Astra, how she was transformed into a djinn, the meeting with Belboz, how Fred was transformed into Astrid, Velus, Henreid, the strange portal, and finally how they had arrived here in his lair.

For a while, the dragon simply sat there, not saying anything. Then he turned to face Astra. "So you are now a djinn, eh Princess? Tell me, is everything the beautiful Astrid here just told me the truth?"

Astra turned to Astrid. "Have I permission to converse with this creature, Mistress?"

"Yes, of course."

"Mistress honors this humble one," Astra said with a bow. Turning to the dragon, "My mistress has spoken honestly, Dragon."

"Do you so swear?"

Suddenly Astra drew herself up, becoming about a foot taller. Her red eyes glowed like hot coals and her skin tinged green. In the deep, echoing voice she used when granting wishes, she proclaimed "Upon the throne of the Grand Djinn, and upon the Honor of All Djinn, of whom I am now one, everything my Mistress, Astrid, has just stated is true and beyond reproach! So swear I, Astra, Djinn of the Lamp of Zolar!!"

This said, Astra shrank and reverted to her previous form, although her eyes were still red - and, Astrid noted uncomfortably, her ears now ended in small but very definite points.

"Quite interesting," the dragon said. "It appears I have no choice but to believe you. So, the two of you came here to slay me, but now instead need my help, eh?"

1. "I will be more than happy to assist you. I am not, you see, the creature of evil you've been led to think of me as."
2. "I can help you - but in return, the two of you must do something for me."
3. "I'm afraid someone has mislead or misguided you - I don't have that sort of power."
4. "I can't help you - but I am the only one who can tell you where to find the one who can."
5. "I can return you to normal, Lord Astrid, but there's every chance the Djinn Princess here may be too far gone for me to save."
6. Without saying another word, the dragon exhaled a cloud of noxious gas. Astrid blacked out to the sound of Astra's dire threats against the dragon.
7. "I don't believe I have any interest in assisting either of you. Now leave, before my good mood evaporates!"

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