Not Wanted on Voyage

"I could just have disposed of your sword," Arkon-Vaal continued, "but I thought that I should make my point rather more forcefully, in the hope of penetrating your walls of prejudice. Can't you see that I could as easily have killed you, if I meant you harm? You are welcome to leave if you wish, just not to try to take these ladies with you. You are not here by my doing, and you have no part in my plan."

"I'm not here by your doing either, so presumably I am also not part of your plan," Glenda said. "In that case, why can't I have clothes?"

"In fact you are here by my doing, though I was able to arrange it rather more subtly than was possible with the princess. It was not by chance that the strength of the outflow from the pool that you were bathing in suddenly increased and carried you into the caves. That is why, when you and Fred tried to escape, you had to be forced back into the caves. I'm sorry if that frightened you."

"But I might easily have drowned, if I had not been such a strong swimmer!" Glenda protested.

"That would have been unfortunate. I'm afraid that I sometimes tend to overlook how frail the human form is in comparison with that of a dragon."

1. Arkon-Vaal went on: "Now, if you and the lady Astra would care to accompany me, I will introduce you to my other recruits. The knight can come with us or not, as he chooses, but I will not tolerate any furher attempt at interference."
2. Fred had been so stunned by losing his clothes and sword that he had not attempted to intervene during the course of the discussion, but now...
3. Arkon-Vaal's son had been quiet all this time, but now he spoke. "You're being very coy about your plan, father. Is it that you think that they won't like it?"
4. "Do all your 'recruits' have to remain naked?" Astra wondered. "And they wouldn't all be attractive young women, by any chance?" Glenda asked, with something of an edge to her voice.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree