Velus

"Well, we're back," said Fred offhandedly.

Offhandedly? "What does he do, find naked princesses every other day?" thought Astra. But it didn't matter. She remembered she was trying to be nice.

"Um... Lord Fred?"

"Yes?"

"Who might your... accompaniment be? I don't believe we have been introduced."

"Oh, right. That was stupid, wasn't it?"

"Yes," said Astra, without thinking.

"This is Velus."

"Velus?" echoed Astra.

"Yup. Velus the dog. Or former dog, given that his curse has been lifted."

"What?" said Astra, confused.

"You see, Velus was originally a human from a nearby farm, and he was cursed by the dragon into being a dog. The Wizard of Kamiro kindly lifted the curse for us. Velus, why don't you say something?"

Velus struggled. It was clear the awkwardness of the situation had him at a loss for words. Finally he said simply, "Hello."

"Hello, Velus."

"It's nice to be able to see your face from above."

"Er... are you calling me short?"

"Uh, no! No! Not at all! I think you're a great woman with really comfortable feet. Wait, I didn't mean it like that!"

Astra suppressed a laugh at his attempted compliments. "It's okay Velus. I'm glad your curse has been lifted."

"Er... thank you?"

"Oh, and Fred, what happened with the Wizard of Kamiro? Did he stop at turning Velus back?"

"Uh, why?" asked Fred.

"I'd assumed he'd come with you."

"Actually, he said we didn't need him"

"Oh really?"

"Uh-huh. He did, however, do something to my sword."

"An unbibiment," said Velus, trying to be helpful.

"You mean an imbibement?" said Astra.

"Uh, yeah, that."

"What did he imbibe it with?"

"I don't know," they both said, simultaneously. "But it cost me a bundle," added Fred.

"Oh, well. That explains why you didn't buy me clothes."

"Clothes?" repeated Fred.

"Yeah. I mean, I'm naked. I would've thought you were the least bit sensib... I mean, it would've been nice if I could cover myself with something one you get me out of these chains."

"Actually I didn't thi..." but Fred was unable to finish the sentence, for Velus gave him a nudge.

Astra suppressed another laugh.
"So, shall we try this again?" she said, pulling her arm out of harm's way for Fred to hit the chain with his sword again.

"Uh, sure," said Fred. "Scootch over, dog."

"You know," said Velus, "I can answer back now, and I will not think twice to do it."

"You better do as he says, Velus. You don't want to be hit by the sword on the follow-through."

"But..."

"Just between us," she mouthed, "he'd probably cut off your hands, head, and have you generally sliced up before even noticing he's hitting you at all." Fred was too busy getting into position to notice Astra's 'hidden' message, but Velus nodded.

Velus walked towards the opposite wall, spun three times, and sat against it. Then he did a facepalm; he'd just done a "dog thing" again.

The sword came down on the chains... hard!

1. The chains disolved! The spell on the sword had worked!
2. The spell on the sword produced... complications

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