Repeat Performance

"I understand," Astra said. "Please proceed."

So Belboz repeated the series of arcane gestures that he had used with Astra. As he had expected, the result was the same. Fred remained made of stone, but a creaking as he shifted his position indicated that he had regained consciousness and a measure of mobility.

"Fred," Astra said. "How do you feel?"

Fred managed to turn his head in the direction of the strange-sounding voice. "Astra! What happened to you?!" His voice sounded much the same as hers.

"The same as happened to you, I'm afraid. Belboz, please explain. You can talk faster and more clearly than I can."

So Belboz repeated his explanation. When he had finished, and Fred was done with cursing the name of Pronklezilch, Astra said: "We have some important matters to discuss. Belboz, is there any hope that a way can be found to return us to flesh and blood? Meanwhile, should we stay here at the palace, or would we send everyone into a panic? If we go somewhere else, then where should it be?"

Yarna was eager to get the pair a long way away as quickly as possible. Astra might have renounced any claim to the throne, but Yarna was under no illusions about her own unpopularity. A living, even though stone, Astra could become a focus for dissent, even if she didn't intend it. So she said: "I think that it would be unwise for you to stay here, for the reason you suggest. But you obviously can't ride horses, and walking is clearly out of the question. However I could put a sturdy wagon at your disposal."

Belboz held up his hand for silence. "I think that I can help," he said, "but I'm afraid that I shall require a little something in return...

1. "I could transport Astra and her friend to my own home, where I would work on developing a spell to complete their conversion back to flesh and blood." Yarna wasn't sure that that was a good idea. A flesh and blood Astra could be trouble.
2. "I could talk to Pronklezilch. I haven't seen him in years, but we used to be quite friendly at one time."
3. "What I propose is this..."
4. But before he could continue, the court mage entered the throne room, having detected Belboz's spell-casting.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree