Astra is Dis-spirited

Fred looked for a boat ramp, and found none. The water level was about at the middle of Fred's thighs, and the concrete wall of the canal was at an upright angle. This was bad luck. He would not be able to grasp the bow and pull the boat out of the water.

Maybe he could lift the boat out of the water. He leaned over the bank, held an oar by the end of its handle, and dipped it into the water. The good news was that he could feel the bottom. The water would come up to his head. The bad news was that even if he could lift the boat above his head, it would be barely above the level of the bank. And how was he going to get out? But she was beautiful, and more importantly, Fred had misgivings about facing the dragon alone. Even if Astra was just a shadow, he wanted her to come with him if he could manage it.

Fred pulled the oar in and started to drag the oar along the canal wall. Perhaps there was a shallow ledge of bricks for escape if someone fell in, or for maintaining the canal. It seemed to be a vain hope, but he indeed found something almost as good. There were a series of shallow footholds in one spot that he could feel. So he could get out of the water.

Fred stripped down to a loin cloth, and was starting to re-enter the water when he heard a voice.

The ghost of Astra said, "So you are actually going to go through with this?"

"Why not? There is something magical about this canal, these boats and this waterway. I wonder, if I broke the connection that the boat has to the waterway, that I would break the bonds that are holding your spirit to this place. Do you object to this?"

"Oh, no. I have not been as amused for ages. Are you sure that you want to risk the loin cloth?"

"Good Lord, Princess. You are being rather, er, forward."

"Just being practical. It does not make a lot of sense to keep all your other clothes dry and soak your loin cloth."

"Well, if you are not going to be offended...."

"Don't mind me."

Fred removed his loin cloth and jumped into the water.

Astra's spirit said, "Oh, come and think of it, you probably would want a loin cloth if there are any Stygian cutterfish around. They have a well-known way of attacking that is both painful and embarrassing."

Fred clambered up the canal wall very quickly. The footholds were fortunately sturdy.

He turned to Astra and said, "Why didn't you tell me about the cutterfish before I went in?"

"Who said anything about cutterfish being in the canal? This water is far too cold for cutterfish. They only live in the Sweltering Jungles of the South. But when we were talking about going into the water without a loin cloth, the cutterfish came to mind. But you should be safe."

"Are you sure? You don't have any other scary thoughts that you are going to tell me when I am in the water? That isn't laughter coming from you, is it?"

"Oh, no. I did not mean any harm by the remark. And I am not laughing at you. It is just the, uh, wind. Yes, the wind. I will be quiet. I promise."

"Maybe I just need to tend to business and go after the dragon."

"Oh, please. I am sorry. It is just that being down here for this long time, without the sun to mark the days, wears on me. You have given me the closest thing that I have had to life since I lost mine. Go ahead and try moving the boat out."

The spirit's plea moved Fred, and he went back into the water.

Once in, he approached the boat, and took a deep breath. He crouched down in the water, and moved under the rowboat. He placed his hands under the keel, along the long axis of the rowboat, and rose from the water.

With an extension of his arms and a flick of the wrists, he was able to launch the boat over the wall of the canal and onto the floor of the cave.

Fred climbed out of the waterway, and saw a miracle. Princess Astra was still there, but was no longer shining. She was now made flesh. She covered her chest with one arm, and crossed her legs, and looked away. She was no longer as bold as she was when she was a ghost.

"Are you well, my lady?"

"Well?", she answered feebly. She took her free arm and rubbed the other arm rapidly to give some warmth, while still shivering. "I am as I was before going through the tunnel. I am cold, hungry, tired, defenseless, and humiliated. And honestly, afraid. But I have been given a second chance at life, which is given to very few. I will try to make the most of it." And then, overwhelmed by the sudden change in fortune, she started to sniffle, and her eyes started to well.

Fred gathered his pile of clothes, and handed her his shirt.

"You are going to need this, Fred. It is a lovely thought, but just hold me, for now. I am freezing.

"As you wish, my lady." Fred modestly approached her from behind, and placed his arms around Astra's belly. Her skin was indeed clammy, but she was very much alive. For a quarter of an hour, Fred rubbed her hands, removing the cold-induced stiffening and restoring the flow of blood to her fingers.

Astra had recovered some of her composure after this time. Fred knew little of Aqualaria, but even from afar he knew their reputation. Women went into battle, with their men, and they were known for their high spirits and self-reliance. If he could get her fed and armed, she would be a boon companion against the dragon.

Fred's next option.

1. Escape from the cave and return Astra to Aqualaria. It was the duty of a knight to rescue a princess, even above that of slaying a dragon. And he had never been to Aqualaria. Adventure awaited.
2. Escape from the cave and bring Astra to Pellgar, the nearest large town in Allaria. After clothing, feeding, and arming her, Astra would probably gladly help him fight the dragon. Any dragon.
3. See if he could move some of the other boats ashore. Perhaps there were other good-hearted warriors who would help him in the battle with the dragon.
4. Follow his original mission and kill the dragon. He would have to figure out what to do about Astra. Perhaps he could find a safe place for her, inside or outside of the caves? Or she could accompany him, and trust her to avoid a hopeless fight?

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