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"What do you mean yours?" asks Gunther.
"I mean, I now have a pet dragon." says Lazar cheerily. "Isn't that right, dear." The paralysis is starting to wear off. The queen manages a small shriek of frustration.
He turns to me and says, "And you, my helpful Baron, now can keep your ladies."
"You're not going to kill her?" Gunther asks again.
"Quite unnecessary." says Lazar. "This is part of a story, yes. It's another episode in the Qin Non-Won - Queen Almidahl story... a most humiliating one for her, I might add. She and I will leave your story, once we have examined her lair.
He turns to me, "My Baron, you are a good man, for a man. You are clever, resourceful, respectful and honorable. This victory is yours." he waves me off as I start to protest, "No, no, no. I gave you the tools, but you were the one who used them -- don't sell yourself short.
"And don't sell these ladies short, either. If they had not been truly outstanding in their own ways, this story would not have been told.
"Can we not see what our Baron has accomplished?" says Paltrice.
"I think we've been at these stakes quite a long time." says Anna.
"If I am a victor, why are my eyes covered and my arms still behind me?" adds Chasta.
Gunther and I untie the ladies... after I give each a long kiss of enormous relief.
Queen Almidahl is now on her feet, the potion is nearly as fast retreating as it was advancing. The ladies stare at her in amazement. Chasta moves up and touches her. "I have heard many a tale of a man meeting his destiny for a woman, but never a dragon."
"You are not likely to hear another, human woman." says Queen Almidahl. "For this is a dragon tale you are part of, and your part is now played out. It is with Qin Non-won that my attention rests."
"We will go now." says Lazar, "This night my Queen will tell me of her hoard, and we will be gone by sunrise. You may then enter her lair and deal with what is left."
"One last request, Master Lazar." asks Paltrice, "Can we see your true form?"
Lazar grins a gnomish grin from ear-to-ear, "That, Miss Paltrice, is like me asking you to take off all your clothing, right here and now."
Paltrice blushes, "My apologies."
"None needed, my dear. But, if you would like to see a fair representation of my true form, and if you happen to be in the Piedmont area, you might stop in the church of Santa Morina and gaze upon a fresco that will be on your right hand as you enter. It was created by an artist whom I've been long acquainted: Antonio Quinono. Look for the being that winks at you."
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