Fred Gets Lucky

"Ah, you're conscious," she said. "You're lucky that we were here to save you from bleeding to death, and that I happened to know a spell of healing. Why did you stab yourself?"

"I was suddenly seized by tremendous depression over something that was really rather trivial, and decided to end it all. I don't know what came over me."

"There's a lot of magic in these caves. You were probably unlucky enough to run into some stray nasty spell. But we should introduce ourselves. I am Princess Astra of Aqualaria, an escaped prisoner of the dragon. These" - she indicated her breasts - "are his doing. At that I got off lightly compared to Velus here." For the first time Fred noticed the small dog at her side, his gaze having previously been fixed on higher things. She went on: "He's a transformed peasant boy. But at least he can still talk."

"Pleased to meet you, sir knight," Velus said.

"And I'm pleased to meet both of you. I am Lord Frederigo D'Honaire of Allaria, but please call me Fred."

"Well met, Fred," Astra said. "But why did you ignore me earlier?" [15772]

"That was you? I'm sorry, Princess, but I couldn't see you at all clearly in the shadows. I thought that it must be an illusion and probably some sort of trap."

"Just call me Astra, please. I'm not exactly dressed for formality. Yes, that was me. Now, to business. You are here to slay the dragon, I presume. Velus and I can aid you."

1. "Thank you."
2. "I cannot accept your help if that would mean putting you in danger."
3. "I'm supposed to be here to slay the dragon, but it now seems to me that it would be better to loot as much as I can and then get out while the going's good."

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