Fred Parries a Taunt

There was a silence. Was the man with the smooth voice angry? Confused? Since he could not see him, Fred could not tell.

The voice then answered, "No. That cannot be done at this moment."

Fred replied, "Look. You keep saying that I could be useful for information. As long as you are not the dragon itself, or in league with the dragon, I want to cooperate - now. But you are not being candid. I do not know what you are looking for."

The smooth-talking voice replied, "Lord Fred, you do not have the knowledge to understand what is going on. I will tell you this, as it may help. Our world has gotten more hazardous within the last day as a result of what has taken place here."

"I don't understand."

"There are certain hazards that matter more than others. The dragon burned your fields and killed your countrymen. I understand why you wished to slay him. It is your duty. Now that he is dead, your countrymen can fight each other, or fight other nations, for the lands that are now open. The fighting goes on - the names of the fighters change, but nothing else really changes."

"What are you saying? That the lives of my people don't matter?"

"To you, they should. You are the son of an Allarian duke, and your duty is to protect those lives. At least, protect them as well as you can, with tools like fists and swords, and speeches and laws. But there are other hazards that are more our concern. I think that you would call them matters of magic, and wizards. That is a very crude way to describe it, but for your purposes that is enough."

"So have you killed Astra?"

"I understand your concern now. You are trying to adhere to the moral code of chivalry. You feel obligated to protect the princess. There is a duty left to be discharged. Am I correct?"

Lord Fred replied, "Yes."

"Of course, it easier to shoulder the burden of the chivalric code when the woman is beautiful and powerful. Tell me, Fred, deep down, was your aim to bed her, or to be rewarded with gold?"

Lord Fred looked up, and smirked. "My aim was to see her home, safely. I am not as cold and cynical as you suggest. Honestly, you have told me more about yourself in that taunt than you had up to that point in this interview."

The smooth talking voice replied, "Every knight and soldier that I have ever met uses chivalry to cloak baser motives. But you are young, and may actually believe in it. Be prepared to be disillusioned. To answer concerns - There is no need for you to escort the princess home."

"Did you kill her?"

"No. She could not move - much like you could not move when you wrestled with the thief, but she was completely frozen into place. She is still alive. That will be enough for you now."

1. Fred paused, and then blurted out, without thinking about it, "The red magic - that is the hazard isn't it?"
2. Fred replied, "Just to show you how wrong you are about the honour of knights, I need to know about the fate of Checkers. She is not human, nor does she look rich - but I owe her a debt of gratitude. Do you know what happened to her?"

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