The Dragon Quest Comes to an End

But then he found himself, and Astra with him, banished to the wastes of the Calamari Desert. Within the Tower of Doctor Vincent he found hospitality, albeit bizarre and unexpected. The respite was short-lived though, for Astra was taken away by the malign power of the Dragon Minestus. She and Fred, now wandering in the shadow of the Goth Mountains, were twisted into unclean shapes of beastly foxes. They were confronted by the Rogue Dragon, Malachi. Malachi and Minestus did battle with each other and were slain. The ancient wizard-stone, the Crystallic, fell into the hands of Fred and Astra and they were charged to find the mysterious Synizn and to give it over to him. But they fell instead into the clutches of Master Rift of Walants, and though they regained their human forms their tribulations were not yet over. They became ensnared in the intrigues of corrupt men and inscrutable dwarves.

Beneath Minestus' Peak there was battle between Dwarf and Orc. Fred survived only to be told that Astra had perished. With heavy heart he turned his face toward home, never suspecting that Astra still lived.

With dwarven warriors escorting him northward, Fred faced ghostly horrors and demonic attacks. He fought the evils and won through, but at a cost. His very soul shaken to the core, Fred believed he had come under a curse.

Leaving behind the southlands of Ryngaerd, Fred was reunited with his sister, Rowena. Together they crossed over Tumbar's Road, hiding their names in their haste to return home. But dark omens and a hellish Green Flame marred their journey and filled Fred with dread. It was the doing of his curse, or so Fred thought, and great fear gnawed at his heart.

Entering the northlands of Havnheim, they were met by the Guard D'Honaire. But Fred was not welcomed with open arms. With suspicion and ungentle hands the Guard took hold of Fred. All within the Great Kingdom thought him dead, perished within the destruction of the Southern Caves along with the evil of the Dragon. They feared that this Fred they held was an unclean spirit or a darksome changeling. For Fred this was yet more proof of the power of the curse that hung over him.

Finally reaching his home, the Duchy of Suffex, Fred was brought before the Order of the White Hand, archmages of much wisdom and power. Through their tests and arcane magicks he was found clean of any darkness and proclaimed the true son of Duke Dredrik. And no taint of unearthly curse could be found upon him.

And so Fred finally came before the King and was granted his reward and there was much celebration. The Dragon was dead, the Dragon-Slayer was triumphant. And so the Quest came to an end.

But as for Lord Fred, still filled with doubts and fear, his tale was only just beginning...

-- From the Chronicle of the Enchanter, Bertrand of Giles

1. And this is what happened next...

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