Questioned at the Border

She hoped that none of the guards would have been amongst the escort for King Emry on his state visit to Aqualaria some two years before, as the last thing she wanted was to be recognised. She had better not give her real name if she should be asked for it. "Astra" was an unusual name and someone might put two and two together.

As they rode up to the great doorway in the wall, the captain of the guard detail came forward to meet them. "Good day," he said. "I must ask you to dismount and to tell me your names and your business, as the gates will not be opened until you comply. You will have to lead your horses through; you can remount once you are on the other side."

They dismounted. Then Fred told the captain: "I am Lord Frederigo D'Honaire of Suffex. You may have heard of me. I am escorting Ambaric here" - he indicated the mage - "to his home in the Western Kingdoms, as he fears that he could be attacked by brigands once we have left Allaria."

Ordinarily that would have been enough to satisfy the captain. He had of course heard of Lord Frederigo, though he had never met him, and this man certainly had the demeanour to suggest that he was who he claimed to be. But the woman was so strangely dressed that he felt that he had to find out what her business was too. "And the..." He hesitated a moment, not sure which word to use to describe her. He had never seen an outfit anything like the figure-hugging one that she wore, nor indeed anything like the black. shiny material from which it was made. His first thought had been that she must be a harlot to be attired so brazenly, but she carried herself as though she was a noblewoman.

He realised that he had paused for a good ten seconds, and that he had to finish his sentence, whether with "lady", "woman" or "whore". But seeing his hesitation, the woman spoke. "You would like to know my name and business too, no doubt. My name is Stara. As for my business..." It was the woman's turn to hesitate, before she went on: "I am visiting my sick mother, and have joined up with these gentlemen for safety of travel."

1. "But may I make so bold as to ask why you are dressed so oddly?"
2. The captain decided that it wasn't worth the trouble of enquiring any further. He wasn't sure that he believed her story, but once she was over the border it wouldn't be his problem.
3. Unfortunately, Astra's illusion chose that moment to flicker a bit before disappearing completely.
4. Before the captain could reply, one of his men said: "Sir, I recognise her. That's Princess Astra of Aqualaria!"

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