Astra Accepts the Help

Astra wished that she could speak! She would then be able to say the words that would thank the leaders of the tribe for their generous gesture, and then subtly pursuade them that this might not be a good idea. For she feared that the very things that made the Dunchovians excellent neighbours would render them ineffective against the dangers that they faced. The Dunchovians were excellent horsemen, and would probably be brave if forced to fight, but they avoided war. They might stand a chance against an enemy in open country, but she thought that they would run into trouble against creatures of the dark and confined caves, and against the subtle and treacherous magic. So why were they behaving so boldly? She sensed that they were overconfident because her wonderous form - a sign of special times ahead, that would allow them to anything. They were setting forth in the confident expectation of a miracle.

To turn down the help, however, would send a message that she thought little of them. They might take it as a bad omen, and become discouraged, or even somehow associate her with Aqualaria> Then the tribe might feel that it was her homeland that let them down. That would not do.

But Astra had an idea. She knew that the Dunchovians could probably reach the foothills within a day if she were not with them. Aqualarian cavalry would be at least as fast. If she could make sure that someone rode to inform the Queen that she was still alive, and also inform them that the Dunchovians were going to try to storm the caves, the Aqualarians would send someone out after her. She hoped that anyone that was sent out could track the Dunchovians, and perhaps include someone wise in the ways of magic. Because she could only walk back to the caves, whoever the Aqualarians sent would close with the Dunchovians - and she hoped that they would overtake them before they reached the cave entrance. With seasoned Aqualarian warriors along with the Dunchovians, they would have the best chance of breaking any lingering magic or malicious creatures, and Fred, Thomas, and the others would be rescued. The caves would then be secured against future evil.

Now came the difficult part. Conveying all this to the Dunchovians.

Radagaisic was dismounted, and looking for a sign from Astra. She slowly walked toward him, with open arms. She draped her arms around him, and gave him a gentle hug, which he returned. The men and women of the tribe clapped.

They needed to know that she needed light to stay awake, and that she froze solid when it was dark. Then she would give them the vision of them entering the caves, and overcoming the rough men and seedy elves of the cavern.

So now she took Radagaisic's hand, and gave the vision of herself as a stone statue just before dawn. In the vision, she was rock-still in the dark, and then the sun rose. As the dawn broke, Astra started to move.

Radagaisic described this vision accurately, and asked Viani, "What does it mean?"

Viani responded,

1. Viani is literal-minded. "She is just trying to tell you that she is stone still when it is dark. As if she were asleep."
2. Viani takes it allegorically. "She is just letting us know that her appearance brings the beginning of a new age."
3. Viani is honest. "I do not know what she means. But when the time comes, I am sure that this vision will be useful."

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