Vedagaisic's Report

Penny replied, "It is not that I am doing anything wrong. But there are many people that have lost friends or relatives to the dragon, that it would be frowned upon to pester you with questions about one man. And talking to you might be considered to be going above my station."

Before Vedagaisic could inquire further, Penny started back toward the banquet and said, "I must be getting back. I have to do some work in the kitchen."

Vedagaisic followed her, but was not completely at ease with her explanation. He was a guest of the matriarchy, of course, but he did not feel as if he had some sort of high status with the Aqualarians. Penny gained on him and slipped into the crowd. Vedagaisic approached the table. A young man dressed in light gray livery stopped him and poured red juice into his glass. Before he could sit back down, Rose approached and placed her hand on his forearm.

She said, "Vedagaisic, I hate to be a bad host, but would it be possible for you to talk to us about Astra's appearance and what you have heard about the dragon? We are very interested in that, and we believe that a decision about what actions we should take are best done in a relaxed setting. We will eat right after you speak, and then you we can chat about it after thinking things over."

"Miss Rose, I was expecting that. I was actually a bit surprised that we did not go into detail earlier. When do you want me to start?"

"Now would be fine, if you are ready."

Vedagaisic swallowed some of the juice to slake his thirst as he followed Rose to the head of the table. Someone had put a lectern in front of him. He set the glass next to the lectern, and waited, as Rose introduced him.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Government and the College of the Matriarchy, thank you for your attention and your time. As you know, there are great tidings from the North. It appears that terrible dragon, the master of the Valley of the Shreken, is no longer amongst the living." There were murmerings among those at the table, even though the death of the dragon was by now common knowledge. Rose continued, "However, we must be cautious. Strange, and possibly dangerous forces are at work. But there is great opportunity as well, if we act swiftly and wisely. I have an eyewitness that will tell you of fantastic events that he has witnessed over the last few days. Vedagaisic, whom many of you have met today, is a noble of one the leading clans of Duchovia. Those who have met him can affirm that he is sober, measured, and dignified. I am convinced that he speaks the truth, as hard as some of it may be to believe. And I may mention one thing more. He had ridden overnight with a young man direct from the plains of the Marcion to the very outskirts of Themyscira to deliver this news to us. Once more, the friendship and common cause of the free peoples of the Dunchovian plains and the Aqualarian Matriarchy has shown itself to be as strong and fruitful as ever."

Those assembled around the table clapped their hands vigourously. As one of the tribal elders, Vedagaisic was a good speaker, but not accustomed to the rhetorical flourishes Rose was using. A flutter of nerves unsettled his stomach for a few seconds, but he controlled it. He resolved to just give them the facts, and politely answer questions. He wondered whether the meat would get cold when Rose continued, "That young man is now riding with our Gloria to the frontier to serve as an observer and to catch up with the vanguard of the great Ryngaerdian people." There was more applause. Vedagaisic thought, "Goodness, Miss Rose, you could have just said that my name was Vedagaisic and I would have introduced myself." Rose said, "So please listen, as Mister Vedagaisic gives us the news of what is happening in Dunchovia."

There was more applause as Vedagaisic shook Rose's hand and stood behind the lectern. He began, "Ten days ago, somebody saw a gold-fleeced antelope. We knew that something was up." He went on to recount meeting the silent stone Princess, who looked very much like Astra of Aqualaria. He recounted the visions that Viani had told them about. There were people that were bound inside of a great park that needed help getting out. He could tell that he was going to get a lot of questions. Nobody was fiddling with their food or staring off into space. At the mention of the stone princess, there were nodding heads as if they knew this had to be Astra. At the mention of the hidden valley, there were discreet and short whisperings around the table, as a murmered accounting of lost Aqualarian souls was being tallied. Finally, as he reported that his clan of Dunchovians was going to storm the Hidden Valley and bring back the prisoners of the dragon, led by the great stone princess. Jaws dropped and little groups whispered. Had he offended the Aqualarians in some way?

Vedagaisic closed his speech. He could not speak as flowery as Rose could. He simply said, "I guess it might seem that we acted too boldly in following the princess. If you had been there, though, you would understand. With her on our side, I do not see how we can be beat."

As Vedagaisic finished, those around the table started to talk and ask questions. Rose took Vedagaisic's hand and shook it, and then gently nudged him from the lectern.

Rose's original plan had apparently been to let those assembled digest the food and Vedagaisic's report, but the report was of such interest nobody was touching the prime rib or the sirloin tips. Vedagaisic's nerves now tingled. He was the focus of all eyes.

1. Rose was able to quiet the crowd and start dinner, even though dinner was suddenly not interesting.
2. Rose changed plans and started taking questions for Vedagaisic.

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree