Asleep on the Galley

"Astra, it is time to release you from the bracelet. There should be enough space in our ship for you to stretch out comfortably, as a dragon."

Astra did not ask why Sudukis and Esau were doing that. It seemed a dangerous course for the two men, but she was willing. Now that she knew that she would shortly reform as a dragon, she now felt a little like she did when she had taken part in a military exercise for a week. While she was busy, she felt reasonably fit, but on that last day, as the prospect of sleep in the comfort of home beckoned, she felt more and more tired. With the prospect of changing back to dragon form at hand, she now felt in her bones how tired she had become. As Sudukis unlocked the bracelet and removed it from her ankle, she rolled out across the deck of the ship, with her legs splayed. Her head craned to look up and around. Although weary, she also felt a sense of relief. Sudukis said, in her language, "Feel free to get some rest, girl. You have earned it."

Astra lowered her head to the deck, and just listened. There were splashing sounds, and the sound of winds, but she mostly listened to the two men talk in the incomprehensible language. There was a kind of sing- song to it, and it sounded something like this to Astra:

Da- dee- da- dee- da- doo- da- dee- da.

Daw- dee- daw- dee- da- da- dee- daw.

Soon she was asleep.

But Sudukis and Esau were talking. Translated into Astra's language, their conversation went as follows:

Sudukis: So far, so good. Do you think that she will be hearing from him?

Esau: Yes. But for every day we have her, that is a day that men such as he do not.

Sudukis:Do you think that she will turn on us? And why do you think that she has come here?

Esau:She does not have the strength to turn on us and live, not now. And there is something different about her. It may be the fact that this dragon is female. But I think that there may be something more than that.

Sudukis:And as to why she came here?

Esau:I am sure that she had killed Minestus, and whatever drove him may be driving her.

Sudukis:Minestus is dead! That would be a revolution. The good thing about Minestus is that he seldom came here, although I know he had an understanding with the so-called Lords of the Sea. Hard times could be ahead.

Esau:Maybe. Maybe not. It would stand to reason that a new dragon would want to plunder the much richer ports of Blacksand, Archangel, and the colonies, than to attack the interior. Not only are the riches farther, but there are fewer of them and they would be harder to find. We need to find her motives.

Sudukis:I can help you translate for three days, if you wish. I would gladly stay for the duration, but I have not reached the point where I am independently wealthy.

Esau:You have been of great help. I have asked John the Traveler to ride to Biscuit Creek. He knows the dialects of the mariner's language well, and will be able to help with the translation. He also has a philosophical bent, as you do, but is now unencumbered by the pressures of business.

Sudukis:After my next journey I shall make it a point to stop in Biscuit Creek.

Esau:If I am still around, I look forward to your visit.

Sudukis excused himself, as he needed to talk to some of the sailors of the galley. Esau felt a gust blowing against his face. It was a favourable wind. They would be in Biscuit Creek soon. If the man from Colonia Gallia were to try to talk silently to Astra, he would know.

1. In a short time, Sudukis told him that they were approaching Biscuit Creek.
2. After a short time, Esau thought to himself, "He is moving boldly, and trying to talk to Astra. I cannot understand his words,but I can understand the gist of what he is trying to say."

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