Back with Belboz

Belboz raised an eyebrow when he saw the three. "Sir knight," he said, "I told you to return when you had gathered a strong party of warriors wielding some of the powerful artifacts to be found in these caves. [399] Instead you have come back with two apparently unarmed and rather underdressed young women."

"My priority is no longer to find the dragon but to rescue these two ladies," Fred replied. "They are Princess Exotica of Allaria, whom the dragon has only just abducted, and Princess Astra of Aqualaria, who has been imprisoned in a giant jewel for fifty years."

"I remember Astra coming to the caves," Belboz said, "though we never met. So you're going to rescue them, are you?"

"That's right. I managed also to free two enchantresses, one of whom claims to be your daughter Adele. They, a lad whom I freed as well, and Sigin, whom I suppose you must know of, have been delaying Minestus, so that we could get away. I am curious to know why you let Adele spend 800 years trapped in a jewel rather than try to rescue her."

1. From the pallid complexion that one might expect from a necromancer more than 800 years old, Belboz abruptly turned bright red in the face. "Why you insolent young pup!" Fred was afraid he'd zap him with a lightning bolt any second.
2. To Fred's astonishment, Belboz burst out laughing. "Is that really what she told you?" he chortled.
3. Ignoring Fred's last remark, Belboz said: "I'm afraid that I can't let you three escape. Powerful as I am, the dragon is much more so, and I only remain here on his sufferance. I dare not antagonise him. I never expected you to be able to free anyone."
4. Belboz explained.

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