A Bleak Prospect
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 49622
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It quickly became apparent to Astra that the two new arrivals were on
friendly terms with the pirates, and her heart sank. Before long, the mate
came to speak to her again. "We have a long journey ahead of us and we do
not wish to have you aboard for all that length of time," he said. "So we
have talked to the captains of the two other vessels, and they are willing
to put all of you ashore at a port not too many days sailing distant."
"Why does it require two ships?" "Only one of the ships has sufficient cabins for your companions, but her captain is understandably nervous about taking a dragon on board. However the other captain is willing to do so as long as you adopt your human form for the duration of the voyage. So you will travel on one ship and your friends on the other. You can meet up again when you make landfall." Astra did not believe this. She suspected that the pirates guessed that one of the others had somehow managed to hide her hoard, and that putting her on a different ship was a ruse to separate her from it. "I do not wish to be separated from my friends," she said. She had decided it would be better not to specify Fred in particular, as she did not want to alert the pirates to his importance to her. "You do not have a very strong bargaining position," the mate pointed out. "Perhaps if we were to use the cat o' nine tails on one of your friends, it would encourage you to be more co-operative." "There's no need for that." Astra felt at a loss. The only encouraging thought that she had was that somehow she might be able to start a new hoard once on board the other ship. There must be some valuables aboard it, and she was even prepared to steal if that was necessary. She needn't feel too guilty, she decided, since she was sure that its crew were in league with the pirates. "You will transform now, and then be taken aboard one of the ships. Once that ship is clear, your companions will be brought up on deck and transferred to the other vessel." Reluctantly, Astra transformed, remembering to add clothing - just a simple shift dress and sandals, since she did not want to draw any more on her magic than was necessary. You're quite a looker, more so even than the mage, the mate thought. If only the captain had known, he might have negotiated a more profitable deal for us. From a bag he produced a device consisting of two semi-circles made of a silvery metal and hinged together. "This is an anklet," he said. "When it is closed, the two ends will snap together and lock. It will require the key - or a hacksaw - to open it again. You will fasten it around your ankle. Our mage has put a powerful spell on it, and he believes that it will prevent you from readopting your dragon form whilst you are wearing it. You see, we had to find a way of ensuring that you would keep your side of the bargain. The anklet will be removed once the ship reaches port." Astra frowned. She doubted that the mate was telling the truth.
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JH
3/6/2005 9:58:00 AM
Extending Enabled
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