The Relationship Between Fred and Yaivaine Sours Further

"I did, but Gregor wouldn't do it. He said that it was a bad idea to try to teach magic to someone with whom one was emotionally involved. He wouldn't say why it was a bad idea, though. I think that it was just an excuse. When he comes round - if he does - you must tell him that we managed to carry him here, so that he doesn't know what I can do."

"Given that you've now admitted to him that you had an affair with Belboz, surely your having learnt magic from him as well is a minor thing in comparison? But I ought to have realised by now that you will never tell the truth if a convenient lie is available."

The moment he had said that, Fred regretted it. How powerful a magic user had Yaivaine become? What if she retaliated by casting some unpleasant spell on him?

But Yaivaine did no more than scowl. Then she said: "So now we're trapped here with Gregor. If only you had agreed to flee with me, we wouldn't be in this fix."

"Now that I know that Belboz is the dragon, fleeing is out of the question. I am here on a quest to kill him. I can't avoid my duty."

"Isn't it part of your duty to protect me, since I'm the daughter of your monarch? And you can best do that by getting me out of here."

"I don't think that it's part of my duty any longer. If the King knew all that you've done, he would surely disown you. Besides, I'm not convinced that you need my protection. You seem to have managed pretty well up to now. But once Gregor has recovered and no longer needs nursing, and I've also killed Belboz, I'll take you back to Caemlyn with me, if that's what you wish. But I warn you that I'm going to tell your father the truth - or as much of it as I know, at least."

"You fool! You could have married me and been made a prince. Now Belboz will kill you. You have no chance against him."

"He must have some weaknesses. It occurs to me that you are probably better placed than anyone to know what they are."

1. "Do you think that I would tell you now?!"
2. "He has one serious weakness, that even Gregor doesn't know about. I will tell you about it, but only if you will swear that, after killing Belboz, you will take me back to Caemlyn and tell Daddy the story that I want you to tell him."
3. "He has no weaknesses that I know of." Was that the truth, or yet another lie?
4. They were interrupted by a groan from Gregor. By now they had managed to get him into his bed.

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