Astra in a Hurry
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 65320
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The mayor's mention of a dragon's lair gave Astra pause. Though she was
not familiar with the detailed geography of the Allarian side of the
Shreken range, there could be little doubt that this must be the shape-
changing dragon that Lord Fred had killed [224-1]. She knew that dragons
were highly territorial, and there could hardly have been two within the
Shreken Mountains. The dragon was no longer a threat, of course, but what
about its master? All that she knew of him was that he must be a mage of
enormous power. Would he perhaps become aware of her if she took the
exposed Trail of the Caves, which perhaps bordered on or crossed within
his own domain? She was not eager to renew their acquaintance.
That the trail ended at Malboncton was less of a concern. She knew that the criminals there (as everywhere) preferred easy pickings, and usually preyed on the weak. One look at her should tell them that she did not fall into that category. From what the mayor had told her, taking the Tangential Trail would add at least a week to her journey, and would also mean at least two extra days spent within Allaria compared to the more direct route. She was anxious to spend as little further time in Allaria as possible. Who could say what an additional two nights exposed to that perverted moon might do to her? So, not without misgivings, she took the Trail of the Caves, riding one horse and with the other (attached by a long tether) following behind. The way was as easy as the mayor had assured her that it would be, and she made excellent time. By late afternoon she was approaching the highest point of the trail, Hershey Saddle. In one wall of the pass, she saw two caves set close together. It must be from these that the Trail of the Caves took its name. Within one or other of the caves, the dragon had had its lair, she presumed. She wondered whether Fred had come this way on his dragon-slaying mission, not all that long ago.
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JH
1/21/2007 10:34:59 AM
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