Astra is Put to the Test
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 53834
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The man in the ermine collar had a further question for Astra, again via
the intermediary of the lieutenant: "What were you before you were a
dragon? A woman, obviously, but what was your station in life?"
"Believe it or not, sir, but I was a princess of the nation of Aqualaria." "Really? You will understand that I am sceptical of your story. I can detect that there is a magical ward on the anklet that you wear, which would inhibit your ability to transform, so that at least the artifact appears to be genuine. But even though you cannot transform for me, there is still one test that I can try. There is something that very few other than mages and dragons can do, and that is to consciously talk to others using 'mind-speech' - as the mages here call it - and to listen to their thoughts. I am going to say something to you using my mind, in the mariners' language. It will have to be something simple, since I do not speak that tongue well. If you can tell me what I have said, then that will make it almost certain that you are what you claim to be. If not, then you are a fraud. I will wait for the lieutenant to finish translating what I have told you, and I will then attempt to 'speak' to you mind to mind." In her mind, Astra clearly heard: Your hair is very red. She hesitated for a moment. Would it be in her best interests to pretend not to be a dragon, and that the story that the potential buyers had been told was a lie? But that would anger the crew of the Stony Brook, who knew her true nature, and that would not be wise. Besides, if she could not be sold as a dragon, then they would probably get whatever small profit they could from her by selling her as a common slave, which would no doubt be even less pleasant than being sold as a dragon. "You said: 'Your hair is very red'." "No, that's not right." Astra could not prevent her surprise from showing in her face. What was he playing at? Then she realised. He doesn't want the man at the back to think that I'm a dragon. He doesn't want to get involved in an auction. He'll wait till the other has left, and then try to buy me cheaply. The lieutenant's expression was a mixture of consternation and anger. Would he blame her for her apparent "failure", she wondered, perhaps thinking that it had been deliberate. She knew that he was a lot less sympathetic towards her than his captain had been.
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JH
11/27/2005 11:20:54 AM
Extending Enabled
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