And Now They Are Seven...

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 90872

Much to their surprise, it was not anyone they recognized. It was a slim, pale, dark-haired girl of about 18, who was dressed in men's clothing. The lack of calluses on her hands clearly marked her as a noblewoman, but she was stained with dirt and sweat.

"Astra?" she said. "What's going--" Then she looked around and saw that they were three of her. Her jaw dropped. "I--how--what's going on? Is this some kind of evil magic?"

"We haven't--" said Astra 1.

"The foggiest," interrupted Astra 2. She was about to say something more, but Astra 1 had opened her mouth at the same time and they both fell silent. Astra 3 spoke instead. "We are from other worlds, worlds like yet unlike your own. It would seem you know of me, though I do not know of you. I knew things would never get simple."

"Other worlds? How--I--never mind." She did her best to smile, though she was clearly on the verge of fainting. "I am the Lady Andrea Croix. I set out to find some excitement for a change. I think I succeeded." Her laughter was faint and nervous. "I found this handsome young knight, Sir Adrian of Tetrilonia, and I came with him to the Caves He rescued Astra, and we got into a fight with the Dragon's men and the Dragon cast a spell on me. And now I'm here." She blinked and shook her head. "Wherever that is."

"We don't know," said Exotica. "We assumed at first that this was the Calamari Desert, but I doubt that desert has such birds as this." She pointed at the palm tree beside them. Silver songbirds were nested in their branches, chirping strange and haunting music. They seemed to be automatons, enlaid with elaborate patterns.

"I've heard the great kings of the East desire such baubles for their courts," said Fred. "But I've never heard of them living in the wild."

Before anyone could say another word, they saw someone coming their way. Fred started to grumble, but his grumbling turned to screams as soon as he saw who it was. It was him, dressed in the very same clothing, except for a bandage around his left hand. The other Fred stared for a moment. "I--how--what can this be?" he said. The other travelers explained themselves once again. "And where did you come from?" said Exotica.

"My tale's brief enough, I suppose. I slew the Dragon, but in revenge his master sent me to a desert. There I came to the tower of the mad scientist-mage Vincent--"

"And he turned you into some sort of monster? And when Vincent tried to cure you, the spell went wrong and I vanished?" said Astra 2.

"Yes," said Fred, his eyes lighting up. "Are you 'my' Astra, then."

"I certainly hope so," said Astra 2. "Things are confusing enough as it is. She embraced Fred and impulsively kissed him on the cheek. The new Fred smiled.

But the other Fred still seemed far from happy at his arrival. "What's that on your hand?" he said.

"Just a minor wound, Fred 1" he said. "Vincent had a little slip when he was putting me back together."

"Fred 1?" he said. "Now I find I must give up my very name. I'll rejoice indeed when I've returned home." Just then, the birds became agitated. Their songs were sharp and urgent and they flew off in a flurry of metal wings.

  1. A troop of metal soldiers was coming their way. [20983]
  2. The black cloud had formed again Astra 3 again. It would seem the magic that had sent her here was not done. She was starting to transform!
  3. Elsewhere, Fred and Irena follow the song of the birds. [22621]

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