Avoid at all cost . . .

Artizza

"We've seen nobody fitting that description," Astra replies.

Not too likely that we're going to be telling the truth and have their lost princess in one of our pockets, right? If we did them that, really, I rather do not like to think what they'd do or say. Under most circumstances I myself, when I had been human (as distant of time that seems now) would have thought the speaker mad and generally avoid out of general principle.

Unfortunately, we all know (our unwelcome rangers included) that when their wayward princess got waylaid by Minestus (the Dragon of either the Southern or Northern Caverns depending on where one stands) that things are not normal. By God, if I myself had heeded half of the rumors which swam around Minestus, I doubt I'd been captured and chained to the wall naked so soon as I had.

Though . . . . I did meet the most perfect elfin man (well, he'd been human back then) while chained up so I....

Nevermind.

I doubt that my demifox sister had better luck than I in that regard in avoiding early capture due to similar reasons as mine. That and I believe that because of those rumors (more fact than fiction, alas) I fear that the simple, bald faced truth just will not do!

Though in truth my human sister, Astra 9, herself doesn't technically lie with her answers, I myself would be having a hard time not scratching my nose! Loss of my human form seemed to mean loss of my ability to more effectively lie, you see, without that childhood giveaway. See, in truth of the matter is that while she cares about herself--how she looks--she's not vain. Since she's been here she hasn't looked at herself in a mirror. For one thing the few ones I saw on sale about here in the markets back in Walants were hideously expensive. Another thing is that because of that suspicion that mirrors would be scarce in this world (just a guess) beforehand she hadn't dared look at herself with the small travel mirror she has packed away. Besides, she's stuck forevermore looking like she's eighteen when she became a Champion, so of course she's failed to see anyone by that description since coming to this world (much less Walants). As for the part of the rangers question about "anywhere else for that matter" we just ignore. Yes, we have seen a LOT of women like that, actually, but only back on Terra Prime. You must remember that a lot of my other siblings fit that description, being that they are Astra analogs, you know! But let's not needlessly confuse them and make things needlessly difficult for us, okay? Some questions we should avoid answering at all costs, right?

Astra, being our spokesperson, continues to answer other questions about this and that from the Aqualarian rangers (all geared towards any clues to their missing princess).

We part on friendly terms, wishing them all luck. Well, sort of good terms. I and the others can see in her (and her companions') eyes the unasked question as to just why we elves and humans are traveling together. Fortunately, they are worldly enough to know that such questions are best not asked idly with obvious customers from Walants. Not wise, let us just say and leave it off at that. Myself, I'd probably have given a glib answer about us all being a fellowship to drop off this evil magic ring into a volcano....

Well, maybe not. I had liked that movie, myself, but doubt our rangers here are up on Tokien.

"I wish you luck," Astra 9 says, in parting, not really meaning it but trying to sound sincere. Honestly, if they are lucky (too likely given our run of luck), they'll find something that'll lead their path back out our way.

Amazing what one can find and get from Wallants, if one pays the price asked. Be our luck if the wrong questions reach the right ears about some strange business with demifoxes and a were-bear mage named Synizn.

At least for now we've parted company. Still, have to wonder who else we'll meet out on the road? Moreau? Some evil mage wanting to use the demifox or the Crystallic in some fiendishly evil plans? This world's version of Rowena or some other sister of demifox Fred might be out looking for her lost brother. Who knows?

The amazons watch the others leave. Their leader was satisfied, by and large, by the answers she'd gotten (as unhelpful as they were). Still, there was something off about that encounter.

Some of the mannerisms, she would swear, she'd seen in that female silver haired elfin woman were just like those of her liege lady, Astra! She'd been body guard for the impulsive princess enough to have warranted the Queen putting her on this hunting party, but after seeing that elf, she was worried. Worried that she was too worried and jumping at ghosts and shadows of things not there, hoping to find Astra.

Thus is the reason why she, for now, dismissed the same mannerisms she'd seen in the human woman she'd spoken with as well! Besides, this Ayenine looked nothing like Astra and was shorter by a bit than the missing royal, right?

1. Any more questions like that are interrupted rather rudely by what happens next to these Amazons going to the shadow town called Walants when....

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