Not Only Fred Needs to Watch His Back

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 9531

Soon after showing Fred the Malabra, Astra was summoned to see the Serifi. Even the Queen could not ignore such a summons, for though the Queen was the ruler the Serifi filled the roles of both supreme religious authority and chief judge. What did the Serifi want with her, she wondered uneasily.

When Astra entered the Serifi's chamber, she saw that the young woman Aephix was with her. After a brief formal greeting, the Serifi said: "Tell the Queen what you have told me, Aephix." The girl looked very nervous, Astra thought, though as always the wisewoman looked icily calm. "I saw the Queen open up the Great Statue," the girl said, looking at the Serifi rather than Astra. Her voice was shaking a little. "She didn't see me, for I was hiding behind another statue. The man was with her, and they both went in. I could not follow them in without being seen, and anyway it would have been sacrilege to do so, so I came here at once to tell you, O Serifi."

"You have done well," the Serifi said. "I see that you took my words to be alert to heart. Now, Astra, what have you to say for yourself?" Astra noted that the woman had not called her "Queen Astra", as respect for the monarch dictated. Anyone else, she would have reprimanded; only the Serifi dare insult her like that. "As chosen Bearer of the Petrasyph, the man was entitled to see the Malabra, O Serifi," Astra said. "There is nothing in the sacred writings to say that he might not." "Don't presume to lecture me on the sacred writings, young woman. You should not have shown him the sacred monolith without asking my permission. Watch your step. Remember that a queen can be deposed - or worse - if the Elementals demand it, and that I am the one who interprets their wishes. And also I shall decide if we need the man's help or whether he should be sacrificed immediately. Now you may go."

  1. Astra left not only fuming at being humiliated in front of Aephix but also a little afraid. The Serifi was a most dangerous enemy to have.

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JH

5/21/2000 11:19:07 AM

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