Playing on Fears

The man then spoke aloud to the First Mate of the Stony Brook, "This was a very interesting demonstration. I would say that it is not proven that she is a dragon, but, unlike my fellow citizen here, I cannot say, based on what I have seen, that it is proven she is not. But, sir, were she a dragon, be careful. She may be more than you can handle."

The First Mate was left with some consolation from being able to bank his share of the proceeds from showing the dragon to the crowd, but inexplicably, there appeared to be no sign of interest in buying from a man whom he felt would be ready to deal. And the last remark of that man in the shadows spoke to something that had been worrying him since his ship had taken on the dragon. The captain of the Stony Brook would not welcome the prospect of sailing with Astra for another week, with the twin risks of losing her due to enfeeblement, or worse, the charm holding her in human form failing. The First Mate gnawed on his lower lip as he escorted Astra back to the ship, while mulling this problem over.

In the meantime, Solbert had been very busy that day. He had to continue to stoke the newly induced enthusiasm of the crew for Atheline Island while preparing them to let the captives go on about their way. The crew of the Elaine were trying to convince dubious wives, fiancees, and others to go on this voyage, and Solbert had agreed to speak at a mass meeting for the women that night. He had already arranged with the quartermaster and other senior officers to devote the profits from this trip to the imminient voyage of colonisation.

Solbert had a problem. He thought that he could get the rest of the company clear of the Elaine, but he was now committed to the colonising expedition. Without his presence doubts would creep in, and he was also one of the few who 'knew the way.' His fellow guardian Sartoma and the others of this time who were to help them bring the Vale of Erebus back to life would be without his help at a bad time.

He went over the facts.

Astra, the key to his hopes, was gone. She could become powerful, but she was inexperienced, and was now on her own, without anyone to guide her. She knew practically nothing about this great eastern continent. He did not know any more about this land than she did, of course, but a couple of the creatures from this time did. And all the the company knew of what had happened to her was only a place name, Colonia Gallia.

Solbert thought about asking Jan to accompany him to Atheline Island, but then thought better of it. Not only would Jan want to get away from the Elaine, but he also knew the local language better than anyone else. Jan had agreed to stay with the group until he reached Coperton, his home. Solbert had found that Colonia Gallia lay between here and Coperton, which was good.

Lord Fred was a warrior, but young and with no experience in this part of the world. His reasons for going east were those of someone seeking glory and adventure. But Fred did have some qualities that might make him valuable as a leader of the group. Unlike himself, Sartoma, Checkers, and Jan, he was not trying to restore Mount Erebus, or get home. As an heir to a duke, there was at least some possibility that his education included instruction on diplomacy. And it appeared that Fred was neither intimidated nor contemptuous of mages, Gliders, or gnomes. This broad-mindedness would be needed in the days ahead. Solbert knew that he would have to make time to talk to Lord Fred.

Checkers, who could at least understand the local language, was also key to helping the company once they entered the land of the Dolomite League. Apparently the last remnant of the Gliders of this time was in a remote mountain range deep in this continent. This was a bit of poetic justice, as the Gliders of Mount Erebus called those on the eastern fringe "wild Gliders", primative Gliders that avoided cities, mages, and humans and the benefits that they could bring. That very wariness probably helped them survive. But it could also make them difficult to deal with. Checkers would be their one chance to pursuade this nation that allowing a dragon into the country was a good thing for them.

Of course, they had to get to the Dolomite League first, before war broke out [45344]. Astra's fate was linked to theirs by the possession of the coins. Fred was now in possession of them, having passed and cleaned them earlier in the day. Solbert had hoped for Astra's sake that the link persisted. It stood to reason, did it not? Dragons were known to leave hoards to scour the countryside for more, or for other purposes. Yet they still retained great power. They were more comfortable on the hoard as they could personally guard it, but did distance from the hoard reduce their power? If so, by how much? Solbert did not have a clear answer. Lady Atheline [36830] had said little about that when he had asked her, but it seemed that there was more than one factor involved. He had to assume the best; if Astra and the League were destroyed, then his best hope of finding powerful allies to guard and restore Mount Erebus was gone.

Sartoma, his fellow guardian of Erebus, had always been bright, cheerful, and impulsive. Solbert would miss her; where he was by nature cautious and analytical, she was bold and brilliant. But now she had suffered one of the worst traumas a mage could suffer, possible corruption of her memory and loss of her skills. It was a terrifying and humilating experience for her. Solbert hoped that there was little or no permanent damage. Sartoma could still start a silent conversation, which was a good sign. He wished he could stay with her for a few weeks while she recovered, giving practical advise as well as lending moral support. The problem of getting Astra back and their captivity on the Elaine would not allow that.

That night, the next move by one of the players in the game of acquiring Astra is taken by

1. the man in the ermine collar.
2. the man in the shadows.
3. the blind Esau [47866, 50193].
4. Astra herself.

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