The Bed's Occupant

The head of a young woman lay on the pillow, the rest of her being covered by the bedclothes. She had a beautiful face framed by a mass of hair that was almost as red as the sheets and pillow. Rather oddly, something towards the foot of the bed was tenting up the blankets, as if some large object was hidden under them.

Fred thought that he had been noiseless, but he must have somehow disturbed the sleeping woman, for her eyes opened. "Hello," she said. "I wasn't expecting any visitors."

"I am Lord Frederigo De Honaire, from the Duchy of Suffex in Allaria. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"I am Princess Astra of Aqualaria, a prisoner of the dragon and a victim of his magic. Look!"

She threw back the bedclothes, and Fred gulped. She was naked. From the waist upwards, her body was as beautiful as her face. But below her waist instead of a human lower half there was the coiled tail of a great serpent, some ten feet in length. Actually, that too was beautiful in its way, being covered in silvery scales that reflected the light.

"Oh my God!" Fred gasped. "I'm so sorry. But you say that you are the dragon's captive, yet there seems to be nothing preventing you from leaving this room."

"There is no need for a lock on the door to keep me here. For if I try to leave this room, then I will transform further and become fully a naga. So at least the dragon has told me, and I believe him. Only here can I remain at least half human."

"I have come to the caves to kill 'your' dragon, Princess."

"Please call me 'Astra'. If you can kill him all his magic will be undone, and I shall become fully human again."

"Can you tell me where to find him, Astra?"

"No, but he comes here frequently to gloat, so I suggest that you wait for him here."

"I will do that."

1. Fred doesn't have long to wait.
2. Whilst he is waiting, Fred asks Astra about the suits of armour, which seem unlikely decorations for a bedroom, especially one being occupied by a damsel.

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