| As for Astra and Fred, they wake up outside the gates of Fred's castle.....none
the worse for wear (and fully healed and equipped). They have NO idea how
they got there.
Fred has questions about much....especially those odd elves.....however.....
Fred cries out in joy at seeing his ancestral home and gives Astra a
quick kiss out of sheer joy....and then looks abash at being so forward.
Astra stares at him for a second and then smiles.
"Do that again," the warrior princess says softly as she embraces Fred.
Astra is now intrigued even MORE intrigued by this noble night, for
due to this slight gaff in ettiquete, Astra has seen there is INDEED a
man inside this handsome figure before her.
Mayhap even somebody worthy of her?
Guards start to cry out greetings and the porticlis is raised as the
two young warrior embrace, only to disappear in a puff of smoke and a fading
laugh......that sound's just like Fred's voice.....but somehow VERY evil......
The kissing couple comes up for air (after having been frozen in stasis
for months) and glance around in befuddlement as the find themselves in
the middle of a forest. A male gasp draws their attention to behind them
and they see a.....disturbingly familiar looking man distractedly feeling
his body (his back especially). Something is strange about the coloration
on the back of his neck.....the skin there is pale compared to that of
the rest of the rather tanned face and neck....and there is s marked line
between tan and pale. Most startling is the fact that Fred recognizes the
man's face.....as the one he sees in the mirror upon waking in the morning......
"This is just like the tale of Nine Man Moris," the other Fred
gasp finally as he notices the couple in front of him. "Ast....Astra.....my
duplicate hasn't tried anything with you....has he? After that.....event
in the swamp......"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Astra begins.....at a loss.
Fred, knowing the legend of dopplegangers.....evil and benign like those
found in his homeland's favorite children's tale, makes a decision. He
explains the myth and legends of dopplegangers, and gauges the reaction
from both Astra and this twin of his.
Astra looks skeptical while the other Fred looks......relieved that
Fred isn't attacking with his sword (the other is unarmed).
Astra is about to ask what the meaning of what this doppleganger was
speaking of to her in the beginning when she hears a crying child.
-
 They,
all noble at heart, go rushing off to see what the matter is.....for it
could very well be a child in danger.......
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