Who ARE these people?!

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"Are you daft?!" an aggrieved sounding Tarin nearly shouts up at Belboz!

That is, by the body language given off by the axe wielding elf, seems to want to say to Belboz as he, in a very tight voice, objects and objects strongly to the rather marvelous armor that the mage had kindly given Astra!

….

Somehow, though I've only met only few of them, I'd almost say this elf has some rather dwarvish mannerisms!

Well, that said, the thing that had led to this is this. The mage had, after explaining that he'd found Astra dressed thusly only recently (and had until this moment had higher priorities concerning Astra's condition, health wise, rather than how she was dressed).

He continued: "As to how Astra should be equipped and dressed, I'm afraid that she cannot be permitted to have a weapon. It's quite within the bounds of possibility that she might suddenly decide that you are agents of the dragon, and would seek to attack you. But something can be done about her attire. So, Princess, would you like to go with them and lead them to the dragon's lair? I'm sure that they will take good care of you."

By this time he'd pretty much given up any hope on swaying these strangers (some of them, human and non-human, who look inexplicability like either Astra or Fred) Astra nods, apparently thinking that this has to be better than remaining Belboz's guest. "In that case, I'll dress you more suitably." He gestures, and Astra's dress is replaced by a truly remarkable suit of armour. It is made from some shiny black substance that is very hard yet extremely flexible, so that it can bend where it covers her joints. It is all in one single piece, is very light and covers her from neck to toe like a second skin. It has built-in gloves, so that even her hands are covered. But then the elf named Tarin (as well as the one red haired woman who calls herself "Aynine") objected that she'd not be able to . . . Er. . . .

Not be able to answer "the calls of nature", easily. That and the one known as Jenny put in that it was easily dispelled (and proceeded to do so, much to Jarlath's tsking her afterwards and Belboz's befuddlement).

Things go from strange to stranger when, after drawing out from the red haired female elf's pack some very ornate (but functional elfin sized) armor….when it grows to Astra's size!

Magical armor….seems to have that ability…. This speaks of high level of magery, indeed in the making of this armor. Something that was not just conjured up with a simple spell! Something that…cannot be easily dismissed with just a wave of a hand (or a dragon mage's claw according to these strangers).

So now we had a naked princess (who appears much to some kind of initial excitement to my offer of my diptych and stylus…only to remember that she could not read). Or rather, it turns out that she is illiterate (a common thing amongst even the an-Glidi nobility, I gather) but seems to glare daggers at Belboz as if it was his fault.

At least she looks rather….grateful for the new armor, and sneers back at Belboz (who's face is a mask right now). Do believe that Jenny rather embarrassed him.

Jarlath quickly smooths over this latest problem, pointing out that she did have a point. Belboz, finally, unbends enough and even laughs, agreeing. After all, he had lived in the dragon's shadow for so long and knows the beast was magic capable. He disagreed on the beast being able to have dispelled his armor, but….

Is it me or does the laughter sound a touch, forced?

Strange…

Very strange! Both the situation and these strangers (especially the one known as Jarlath)!

1. Who are these people and should I really trust them enough to go on with them on this quest, or try to sway Fred and the others that it might be best to strike off on our own….?

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