Title: Dungeons and Dragons

Author: Isis

Email: Isis

Archive: Please let me know first email me.Isis

Rating: PG

Category: Humor

Summary: John meets some of earth's myths and ledgends come to life.

Disclaimer: Farscape is the property of NINE NETWORKS AUSTRALIA, SCIFI.COM, HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE JIM HENSON COMPANY. All Farscape characters etc, belong to them. This story and its content and original characters I create belong to me.

Author’s Note: hanks as always to Quilt Lady for her great suggestions and criticisms. Warning: Infinitely silly, but extremely fun to write.

Dungeons and Dragons

"Ah, Pilot, please tell me you're just kidding," John Crichton said as he grabbed his PeaceKeeper vest and made his way down to the Command. But the sounds of a very enraged ex-PeaceKeeper proved to him that Pilot's news was in fact very true.

"Frell! Frell! And double frell! Why does everyone around here always steal MY PROWLER!?" Aeryn screamed, pacing back and forth across the Command. "Why don't they ever take your bucket of dren, Crichton, when they're angry or upset?!"

"Because they agree with you that it's a bucket of dren. Thank you, Aeryn," John said with a grin, risking physical injury in the face of her anger, but unable to resist the chance to tease her. He watched Rygel and Zhaan race into the Command then addressed Pilot's holographic image. "Pilot, what happened?"

"I don't really know. D'Argo angrily demanded that I prepare the Prowler, then he took off for the planet below," Pilot explained. "He must have been very angry because he kicked three DRD's on his way to the docking bay. One of them will be out of commission for close to ten arns," the symbiont explained with a pained expression.

"What set him off this time?" Rygel asked looking at his fellow fugitives. All he got back from them was blank stares and unknowing nods.

"Uh, it might have been something I said," a small voice said hesitantly. The crew turned to see Chiana standing nervously near the door, looking ready to run. John reached over and placed a restraining hand on Aeryn's arm. Then he ran his other hand anxiously through his hair and said, "What did you say, Chiana?"

"We were having a fight," Chiana began defensively. "Uh, he said some things, and then I said some things, and then he said some more things, and then I ... I said ... I would probably be better off with ... with ..." Chiana's eyes slid nervously from John to Aeryn and then back to John. "I said I had been better off with John!" she finally admitted defiantly.

John tightened his hold on Aeryn when she started forward, then looked at the little Nebari. "Why did you say something like that? You know it's not true!"

Chiana raised her chin, her eyes full of hurt. "I wanted to hurt him. He said hurtful things to me!"

Zhaan sighed, "Ah, Chiana." She studied the girl's trembling lip and opened her arms wide. "Come here, my dear." Chiana raced into Zhaan's motherly embrace and began to sob quietly against her shoulder. The Delvian met the eyes of the others over the crying Nebari's head sadly.

Aeryn sighed and turned back to the clamshell image. "Pilot, please have Moya begin a scan of the planet's surface. Try to locate the Prowler and D'Argo's location. Any information on the planet, its inhabitants, settlement, level of civilization would also be helpful."

"Right away, Officer Sun, though by all accounts this planet is very primitive. This star system doesn't appear on any of the star routes we've managed to get charts of so far," Pilot replied and disappeared.

Rygel floated over to John who stood watching Chiana sadly. "You're lucky he just stole Aeryn's Prowler. You could be wearing his Qualta Blade as a belt buckle right about now."

John looked at the smirking Hynerian, then nodded in weary agreement. As the Dominar floated away, John turned back to stand beside Aeryn. "Personal indulgences do indeed fracture a small crew," he said quietly. Aeryn studied his tired stance as he leaned over the Command table. Without a word, she placed her hand over his where it rested on the table. When he looked up startled, she smiled at him sadly. Returning her smile, John placed his other hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. Then he turned to Pilot, "Let's go get D'Argo."

***************

"Man, oh, man, we've landed in Camelot," John declared. He and Aeryn were concealed in the brush of a thick forest beside a dirt road leading to the largest civilization that Moya's scan had detected. Moya's scans had revealed that the planet's primitive inhabitants were genetically similar to Sebaceans so it had fallen to John and Aeryn to be the ones to go down and fetch the Luxan. Chiana had not been happy about that, but Zhaan had convinced her to stay behind.They had set the transport pod down unseen in a small clearing and quickly located Aeryn's Prowler hidden in the trees. As the Sebacean examined every inch of her ship jealously, John had scouted around for signs of D'Argo. Not too far from the ship, he had found signs of a struggle and a piece of D'Argo's red coat, stained black with blood. When Aeryn joined him, they made their way carefully towards the road they had seen on their way in.

"No powered vehicles, no communications, no power sources of any kind. This planet is more primitive than yours, Crichton," Aeryn commented, her smile taking the sting out of her words.

"Hey, my planet passed this level of civilization over 600 cycles ago," he bragged, taking in the inhabitants of the busy road in front of them. "It looks like mediaeval Europe." John watched fascinated as the people passed. Knights armed with broadswords and javelins in metallic suits of chainmail rode with elegantly dressed women travelling in carriages pulled by teams of horse-like creatures. The women's ornate gowns were made of yards of material that looked like silks, velvets and brocades, heavily embellished and embroidered.Their heads were covered with elaborate headdresses and veils. Other richly dressed men, obviously courtiers, wore leather vests and pants similar to John's own attire. "Those are obviously the wealthy nobles," John pointed out.

"So who are these?" Aeryn asked, pointing to less ornately dressed passers-by.

"The peasants," John said. "Farmers and workers." He saw that as in Earth's history, the peasants wore dresses, tunics and pants of rougher homespun material. Most walked or drove wagons piled high with goods pulled by oxen-like teams. All were headed towards the gates of a walled city a few metras down the road. Beyond the city, on a high hill, stood the largest castle John had ever seen. As on Earth, the structure was obviously built for defense. It had battlements, turrets, towers, and a drawbridge. Several large flags flew from its towers, sporting colourful emblems and designs. John pointed to the flags and then at the surcoats of several of the knights, explaining the significance of coats of arms briefly to Aeryn. *I hope this isn't accurate down to the Black Plague,* he thought in alarm.

They both watched the parade for a few more microts then Aeryn started to rise from their hiding place. "Right! Let's go then. They have obviously taken D'Argo to that city."

With a muffled curse, John grabbed Aeryn's arm and pulled her back down beside him. "Aeryn, no!"

"What?" she demanded impatiently.

"You can't go out there dressed as you are!" he said furiously. "I thought the whole point of this little expedition was to blend in!"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Well, do you see any other women out there dressed in black leather pants and a vest, with bare arms and a pistol?"

Aeryn looked back at the road and her expression grew frustrated. "All right then, what do you propose we do?"

"I'll blend in," he said, pointing to other nobles wearing pants and vests similar to his. "I'll go on into the city, get you some clothes and see what information I can pick up. Okay?"

Clearly not happy, Aeryn reluctantly agreed. "How will you get clothes?" she asked suddenly."Steal them?"

John grinned and dug into his pocket, pulling out several gemstones and gold pieces. "Rygel's contribution to our rescue efforts."

Aeryn couldn't help but grin back at him, imagining the avaricious little Dominar's howls of rage when he discovered the loss of his precious gold and gems. "Please be careful, John," Aeryn said as the Human climbed out towards the road.

"Keep hidden. I'll be back in a couple of arns, before nightfall," he replied with a jaunty salute, then stepped out on the road.

And bumped right into a peasant driving a wagon filled with what looked like casks of wine. Aeryn tensed, preparing to rescue her hapless shipmate. John smiled apologetically and wordlessly explained his sudden appearance by deliberately straightening his clothes. The peasant smiled back at him in understanding. As John joined the throng heading into the city, he could almost hear Aeryn's groan at his near miss.

As John neared the city, he began to notice that everyone was heading into the walled fortress, but no one seemed to be coming out. Looking around at the people moving with him, he grew alarmed to see that they were all moving with a sense of fear and desperation. The wagons carried not only goods to market as he had thought, but also personal belongings. *These aren't people doing daily business in the city,* he realised suddenly. *These are refugees, running away from something.* His heart beat faster at the thought that he had left Aeryn out there. John increased his pace, pushing and elbowing his way through the growing crowd to the gates.

Once inside the city walls, John slipped away from the stream of refugees who were being directed to tents set up next to the city walls, finding his way to the central market that was busy in spite of the threat. He moved swiftly through the market to find a stall selling clothes. He spied a booth displaying several rich gowns and started to head towards it. Suddenly an ornate carriage guarded by several heavily armed riders pushed through the crowds. The riders actually used their whips and horses to knock people rudely out of the way. John was shoved back to fall against two richly robed merchants. He caught himself before he instinctively turned to apologise, instead bowing as courteously as he could, indicating that the two men should precede him. The two merchants returned his bow with a smile and watched him move away towards the clothing stall.

"Such a gracious Lord!" John overheard the one exclaimed.

"Indeed! He must have been one of Prince August's circle. Despite his lofty station, the Prince would not tolerate rudeness towards the lower classes. Not like Lord Cydon!" the second merchant said, turning and spitting in the road where the carriage had passed.

The first merchant drew his friend away in alarm,"Be careful, Hervor! It's not wise to display such contempt for the King's nephew. Since the loss of our Prince, he is the heir to the throne. And he has spies everywhere."

John listened absently to their conversation as he waited impatiently for a large wagon to pass so he could cross the square.

"Our Kingdom is truly cursed," the second merchant lamented. "First the disappearance of Prince August, then the dragon, and now this red-tentacled daemon that was captured in the forest, not a stone's throw from the city gates. I'm not sure it was wise to bring it back to the castle. Lord Fyvvie should have killed it where it stood."

When they mentioned red tentacles, John stopped and backed up to overhear more. Unaware of his interest, the two merchants continued.

"I fear you are right, Hervor," the first merchant agreed. "There is indeed a curse on this land. But the mage Voltimand says the daemon might be able to tell us how to lift it."

"Ha! Voltimand!" Hervor spat again. "If you ask me, he is the curse! Ever since he came here as Cydon's protege, things have gone from bad to worse!"

The first merchant's eyes bugged out of his head at Hervor's ill-considered candor. "Be quiet! The mage has more spies than even Cydon!" Looking around in fear, the two merchants finally hurried away.

*Ah, damn! This is rapidly going downhill,* John groaned inwardly as he hurried towards the stall.*Dragons, magicians! What next?*

Displaying some of the gems he had taken from Rygel, John quickly pointed to a sky-blue dress that was the simplest design the merchant had. Even then, it was of a beautiful silk brocade, trimmed at the neck with a sable-like fur. Knowing he could never persuade Aeryn to wear one of the headresses the merchant offered, he chose instead a simple blue veil to cover her hair, as female modesty on this planet obviously required. Adding a dark blue velvet hooded cloak for Aeryn and a black one for himself, John paid the merchant, who took advantage of his obvious haste to overcharge him. John smiled briefly then hurried back to slip out the gates and back to Aeryn.

Behind him, the massive city gates closed ominously. John heard several heavy bolts slide into place. Those refugees who had not made it inside, howled with despair and huddled in fear against the city walls. John looked at the setting sun and raced back down the road, drawing curious stares from those he passed.

He found Aeryn sitting shivering beside a fire she had built for warmth and light. He quickly draped the cloak around her shoulders and then joined her. Aeryn offered him a piece of meat from the spit she had roasting over the fire. Despite their danger, John couldn't help but grin at her efficiency as a camper.

"It's Peacekeeper wilderness training," she grinned smugly, accurately reading his thoughts. "So what did you learn?"

"They definitely have D'Argo. They think he's some kind of a demon or something. He's chained up in the castle dungeon. But that's not the worst of it," John said. He went on to explain what he had learned about the magician and the dragon that was menacing the countryside.

"Another magician! Great," Aeryn groaned, echoing John's own thoughts. "And what the yotz is a dragon, John?"

"Well, I don't know what they are here, but in Earth stories, they are huge flying lizards that eat damsels in distress and get killed by knights in shining armour," John explained to an incredulous Aeryn.

"Are they real?" she asked.

"No, but they did appear in the stories of many cultures on Earth."

"Well, then if they're not real, there's nothing to worry about," Aeryn said dismissively. wrapping her cloak around her and starting to settle down to sleep.

John stopped her, getting up and starting to put out the fire. When she protested, he pulled her to her feet and led her to the transport pod. "Just to be on the safe side, let's sleep in the transport pod tonight." She looked at him silently for a microt then recognized the wisdom of his words.

"You sleep. I'll take the first watch."

***************

An aching hunger drove the beast from its cave and out into the night to hunt. Launching itself on massive leathery wings, the dragon flew over the countryside, desperately searching for some cow or sheep with which to sate its ravenous hunger. But all it found was farm after deserted farm, the inhabitants fled to the protection of the city with their belongings and livestock. The dragon had already emptied the forests of deer, long before it had been forced to attack the farms. As the night passed without any trace of food, the dark skies were filled with the despairing cries of the beast.

Finally, unwillingly, the dragon turned towards the city, wanting desperately to avoid contact with people, but needing food before the approaching dawn drove it back to its lair. As he flew over the forest outside the city, his nostrils were filled with the smell of roasting meat coming from a clearing below. Then another scent filled his nostrils. *A woman!* Turning its opalescent eyes to the nearly full moon, it gave another cry of longing and despair. Then the massive beast swerved towards the new scent, driven by an even greater need.

***************

Aeryn stretched, rolled her shoulders, and prepared to settle in for the final watch. It was only another arn to dawn and the end of this interminable night. Soon, she hoped, they would rescue D'Argo and be away from this bizarre and backward world. Beside her, John muttered something in his sleep. She smiled as she looked down on him, then seeing him shiver, bent to pull the cloak more closely around him. He smiled in contentment at her touch. She wrapped her own cloak around her and sat back to lean against the pod's wall, listening to the night sounds of the forest outside.

Suddenly a loud cry filled the night and all other sounds ceased. Aeryn tensed and listened. At the second cry, closer now, she drew her pistol and reached over to shake John awake.

"What is it, Aeryn?" he asked.

"Shhh. I think there's something out there," she replied in a whisper. John immediately drew his own weapon and waited tensely beside her.

The attack, when it came was swift and fierce. There was a massive thud and the pod began to rock as something huge attacked it from above. John and Aeryn were tossed back and forth, as the dragon shrieked in frustration, tearing at the unfamiliar object with razor sharp teeth and deadly talons. The temperature inside the pod rose as if it were also being submitted to intense heat. The occupants struggled to keep their balance, listening to the metal of the pod twist and bend, but hold up. Weapons drawn, they didn't dare fire for fear of weakening the pod's walls. At one point, the beast managed to shatter one of the pod's windows with a tooth, drawing blood from Aeryn's shoulder when she fell against it. John pulled her away and held on to her while the dragon concentrated its efforts on the hole it had succeeded in making. Talons and teeth were replaced by an opalescent eye as the dragon tried to look inside. John fired at the eye, but missed when the beast overturned the pod, trying to gain access from underneath. John and Aeryn tumbled roughly to the pod's ceiling and lay dazed. Suddenly, there was a final frustrated shriek and the sound of flapping wings. Then silence.

Bruised and battered, John crawled over to Aeryn and immediately bent over her injured shoulder. "Are you okay?"

She pushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled up at him reassuringly,"I'm fine. It's just a scratch." She looked around at the destruction in the pod with wonder. "What the hezmana was that?"

"Well, I guess on this world, dragons are real." John looked around him. "Very real!" He turned to help her sit up.

"Do you think it's gone?" she asked anxiously.

John listened for a microt, "I don't know. Something made it stop. Good thing, too. It would have broken through eventually."

Aeryn looked up at the sensors attached to the floor above her head. "Well, we won't be able to use the sensors to find out if it's clear."

John crawled over to the shattered window and looked out. "The sun's coming up. That must be why it left. Do you think it's safe to open the door?"

"Well, we can't stay in here," she replied, drawing her weapon and heading towards the pod's door. She stood covering the door as John struggled to reach the release. With a squeal of distressed metal and a hiss, the mangled pod door opened. Cautiously, John and Aeryn stepped out into the early morning chill.

"Well, this pod is useless," Aeryn said in disgust, surveying the damage the dragon had inflicted. The walls of the pod were scored and gouged nearly through. Pieces of its walls lay in tangled shards on the grass of the clearing. Several parts were also scorched.

"Oh, man," John complained,"Not only is it a real dragon, but it's a fire-breathing one as well." Aeryn looked at him in confusion. "Look, I'll explain later. Let's just go get D'Argo and get out of here. The pod won't keep that thing out if we have to spend another night here."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Aeryn replied. She started towards the road.

"Uh, Aeryn?" John said, pointedly looking at her clothes. A stubborn look came over her face. "You hoped I would forget, didn't you?"

"You're really going to make me wear that get-up, aren't you?" She turned reluctantly and headed back into the pod.

With a grin, John headed out towards the road to prepare for their journey to the city. He watched the growing crowds of passers-by until a merchant driving a string of horses with an assistant leading a wagon filled with saddles and harnesses came into view. Stepping out into the road, he stopped the merchant, holding out his hand with the gems and gold for the merchant to see. Without a word, he pointed to two horses and and then indicated two saddles. The happy smile on the merchant's face clearly showed John that he had paid far more for his purchases than they were worth, but it was worth the cost. He and Aeryn needed to appear to be nobles to get into the castle. And nobles didn't walk.

John led the horses back through the woods and saddled them up. Then he stood, rubbing their noses and whispering. The animals had grown skittish as they approached the ruined pod, obviously smelling the lingering scent of the dragon. When the horses were calm, John called out to Aeryn, "Hey, you nearly ready there?"

His only response was a muffled curse as Aeryn stumbled into view and stood looking at him with a mixture of embarrassment and discomfort on her face. She caught the amused expression on his face then looked down at herself. The veil fell from her hair to the ground. "Frell!" she cursed again.

John walked over to her, taking in the picture she presented with delight. The side-laced blue gown hugged her slender figure to the hips, then fell in soft draperies to the ground, widening to a slight train at the back. The neckline revealed a tantalising hint of cleavage, tastefully concealed by the fur trim. The tight sleeves hugged her arms, ending in delicate points at her middle finger. Slung low on her hips, Aeryn wore a chatelaine, a belt of dark blue velvet trimmed with semi-precious stones and chains of gold. Without a word John bent to pick up the veil and pin it securely, letting his fingers trail through the silky softness of her hair. Then he took the blue velvet cloak from her arms and draped it around her shoulders, fastening it at her throat.

Aeryn looked up at him, a pained expression on her face. "I look ridiculous, don't I Crichton?" she said, and looked back down at herself. John gently lifted her face with a finger under her chin. Aeryn caught her breath at the warmth of his gaze. Unable to stop himself, John bent and gently brushed his lips against hers. "You look very beautiful, Aeryn. I like it." Then he kissed her again.

When she leaned into his kiss with a soft sigh, John slid his arm around her waist beneath the cloak and pulled her closer. His other hand slid back into her silky hair, cradling the back of her neck. Aeryn linked her arms up around his neck and parted her lips, letting him deepen the kiss even more. For a time there was nothing but the two of them and their kiss. The gentle whinny of the horses pulled her back into reality. With a startled gasp, John felt her withdraw from him, her hands gently but firmly pushing him away. He stepped back and stood gazing down into her confused and slightly sad eyes. Then she saw the horses behind him and her expression turned to one of horror.

"You have got to be kidding, Crichton!" she declared. "There is no way I'm getting up on one of those beasts. The dress is bad enough. Now you want me to ride in it."

John turned away from her with a sigh. "It's part of the disguise, Aeryn. Look, we have to get into the castle and we have a better chance of doing so if they think we're courtiers who belong there. And courtiers don't walk. They ride." He walked over and gently patted the smaller horse's nose. "Don't worry. It's not hard to learn at all. I used to ride horses all the time back home. My sister was a nut over horses." He turned and looked up at the unfamiliar saddle with it's strange hook. "Though to be truthful, she never rode sidesaddle."

Aeryn started to walk towards him, shaking her head. Then she tripped over the long folds of her gown. Glaring at him, she finally agreed, "But only because I can't walk in this frelling dress!"

Leading her over to the horse, he showed her how to pet its nose. Then he explained the mechanics of the saddle and reins to her. She listened nervously, all the while eyeing the horse as if she expected it to bite her. Finally, John put his hands around her waist and lifted her into the saddle. She promptly slid right back down. "No, Aeryn! When I lift you up, you've got to hook your leg up there." They tried again, unsuccessfully.

She glared at him again. "I can't hook my leg around that thing. My pistol is strapped there and it's in the way!"

"Well, you'll just have to transfer your holster to your other leg, Aeryn!" John said in exasperation. He sat back and enjoyed the view as Aeryn angrily pulled up the skirt of her dress and removed her holster. When she caught him looking, she cursed and glared daggers at him again."Haven't you got something better to do?" she demanded.

"Nope," he grinned. With furious movements, she finished the move and pushed the skirt down again, muttering that she would never be able to get the gun out in time anyway. "At least you have a place to hide your pistol, so stop complaining," John said. Then he grabbed her again.

After several unsuccessful attempts, John eventually got Aeryn to stay in place. He marvelled at the horse's patience. He arranged her skirts and cloak as he had seen the other women do on the road, then handed her the reins. After making her practice walking the horse around the clearing, he was satisfied. Aeryn had to admire the ease with which he swung himself up into the saddle of the other horse. With a smug grin, John led them out of the clearing to join the travellers on the road.

***************

Dungeons and Dragons Part 2

The alien and self-styled *Mage* Voltimand stood on the castle battlements, watching the steady flow of noble refugees stream into the castle with a mixture of triumph and contempt. He had come to this backward world called Prym, intending to stay only as long as necessary to avoid the authorities pursuing him from his Moradyn homeworld for several crimes, including interfering with lesser civilizations. However, this world offered him a chance to dominate through his far superior technology and the smell of power was always one that he could not resist. So he had chosen to stay, latching on to the weak-willed, but ambitious Cydon, nephew of the King. The same Cydon who even now searched for him throughout the castle.

Finally, an obsequious toadie approached and informed him that Cydon required his presence immediately. Lingering just long enough to show his disdain for the imperious summons, Voltimand followed the servant to the sumptuous chambers where Cydon fumed.

"My Lord Voltimand," he began furiously. "I expect you to be in my presence within minutes of my summons, not hours!" With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servants and hangers-on. When the room was empty, he started in again. "What's this about another daemon? Is it another one of your ..." His voice was cut off by the Mage's sudden lunge. Voltimand pushed him easily against the wall and drew a pistol on the frightened royal. Cydon recognised the instrument as one of the Mage's magical tools, that could kill a man in seconds, very painfully, with light.

"Don't ever speak to me like that again, Cydon! Not in public! Not in private! Not ever! Do you understand?" Voltimand said with barely concealed fury. He shook the cringing noble and raised the pulse pistol. "Do you?"

"Yes!" Cydon squeaked out and staggered as the enraged magician released him as suddenly as he had attacked.

"Now what was it you wanted to know?"

"Is the daemon that Lord Fyvvie captured this morning another creature of yours?" Cydon said, rubbing his neck.

"Why, yes, of course!" Voltimand lied.

"What is its purpose? After tonight, Prince August will be no more. What need have we of another daemon? And why are you urging him to sacrifice a woman to the dragon? Isn't that dangerous?"

"Have faith in me, Cydon. I know what I'm doing," Voltimand assured his co-conspirator. "Prince August's end will assure your ascension to the throne, but in order to truly have power, you need the good will of the people behind you. A few daemons removed will gain the people's confidence in you." Cydon smiled as he recognised the wisdom of the Mage's plan. "As for the woman, tonight marks my last chance to torment Prince August for trying to have me removed from court. His salvation will be so close, but unattainable." The Mage smirked nastily at the thought. He turned and headed out the door, signalling that Cydon should follow him. "We need to go once more to the King. The appearance of this second daemon should convince him that our plan to exorcise the dragon is a good one." Cydon followed meekly along. "But first, I want to see this daemon for myself. Arrange it, Cydon!" he ordered. "Then meet me in the dungeons!"

Voltimand watched the cowardly Cydon head off towards the King, then he headed in the opposite direction, towards the dungeons. *Another alien, a Luxan from the sounds of it,*he thought, concerned. *If there's one alien, there may be more. I must determine the extent of the threat and then take steps to protect myself and my plans." As he crossed the open courtyard, his attention was caught by the sight of a man and a woman on horseback, entering the castle courtyard. The woman was dressed richly in a blue dress, but it was the man's attire that caught his attention. Moving closer, he watched as the man led the woman's horse over to the dismounting steps, where he helped her carefully from the horse. Closer examination revealed that the vest the man wore, though similar in design to those of other courtiers was in fact cut from a PeaceKeeper special ops uniform.

*PeaceKeepers? Here? Frell!* he cursed inwardly. He watched the pair carefully, noting how uncomfortable the dark-haired woman was with her dress. *A disguise,* he thought. When the couple moved surreptitiously towards the dungeon entrance, Voltimand's eyes opened wider. *They're here to rescue the Luxan!* Then his eyes narrowed. *This may work to my advantage.* He watched until the pair was out of sight, then hurried over to the King.

He found Cydon in the King's private chambers desperately trying to convince the frail and ageing monarch to perform the sacrifice. "But, uncle, Voltimand has never been wrong before. If he says this is the only way to drive the dragon away, then we must do it. One life compared to the lives of everyone in your Kingdom? There can be no comparison."

One of the attending counsellors spoke up. "But a sacrifice? A woman? It's barbaric!"

"How could we possibly choose someone for that fate?" a second counsellor added with a shiver. "I certainly couldn't."

"Have we no dying or feeble-minded women, or prisoners under sentence of death?" Cydon asked impatiently. "What about volunteers?"

"What about a witch?" Voltimand said, entering the room. He noted with satisfaction that all present bowed to him and several moved fearfully away.

"A witch? What do you mean?" the elderly King sat up, still a presence even in his weakened state. "Explain yourself, mage!"

"Even now a witch enters the castle seeking to free her daemon familiar," he said. There was a gasp of astonishment. Several courtiers reached around their necks to grasp their religious icons.

"How do you know she's a witch?" one of the bolder counsellor asked.

"Because I'm a mage, I can recognise daemons even though they wear the guise of a beautiful noblewoman. You, however, will be able to recognise her because she will not be able to speak our language. She will only be able to speak the daemon tongue, as you've already witnessed from the captured devil below," Voltimand explained smugly. "Capture the witch and sacrifice her to the dragon. It would be a fitting end for such a creature." The Mage looked around to see that several courtiers were starting to nod in agreement. He caught Cydon's eye and smiled.

The King considered his words then sighed. "All right," he ordered his guards out of the room to the dungeons. "But you must first prove to me that she is indeed a witch."

"You will see, your Highness. Have the guards observe the woman and her accomplice with the daemon. She will speak to him and understand him. Then she will free him. And when she is brought before you, she will only be able to speak the daemon tongue. It is their weakness."

The King sighed and sent his men off with Voltimand.

***************

John and Aeryn moved cautiously through the dank passages of the castle dungeon, searching frantically for D'Argo. Most of the cells were empty which meant that there was not a need for so many guards. That and the crisis outside made it easy for them to move unseen. Aeryn tripped a couple of times on her dress until she finally reached around impatiently and tucked the train up in her belt. Her eyes dared John to argue with her, but since no one was around, he let it go.

Finally they located D'Argo slumped in a cold cell, chained to the wall. "D'Argo!" Aeryn hissed urgently, and drawing her pistol, fired at the lock on the iron door of the cell. The door creaked open and she and John raced in to their fallen comrade. Aeryn quickly knelt beside the Luxan and examined his wound, relieved to see that the blood was running clear. Then she turned to examine the chains, while John tried to arouse the prisoner.

"D'Argo! Hey Big Guy, wake up. It's time to get you out of here," he whispered hoarsely.

D'Argo awoke with a start then grinned to see his two rescuers. "John. Aeryn. It's good to see you."

"Yeah, same here. Ready to go home?" John grinned.

"Very!" he turned to look at Aeryn, his eyes widening in astonishment at her attire.

Catching his eye, she gave him a withering look, "Don't say a word, D'Argo or I'll leave you right where you are."

John caught D'Argo's eye and grinned. The Luxan wisely said nothing.

"Look, John, I'm going to have to shoot these off. Check out in the passageway to make sure the way is still clear," Aeryn said.

John checked out in the passageway, then ducked back inside. "The coast is clear. Go for it." Aeryn took aim and fired, shattering the chains. She reached under her skirt and reholstered her pistol. Then she bent to remove the complicated knot of chains.

Suddenly D'Argo sat up in alarm. "My Qualta Blade! Where is it?"

"It's not here," John said, looking around.

"Look, you'll just have to leave it behind!" Aeryn said abruptly, freeing one of D'Argo's legs and starting on the other.

"John, I can't go without it. It's the only thing I have left to give to Jothee if I ever find him,"

John met Aeryn's eye and she nodded. "You finish up here, I'll go find the Blade." Then he left the cell and headed back to the main prison.

Back in the cell, Aeryn struggled to remove the last of the chains. Unseen, Voltimand and several guards moved into position silently, waiting.

"Look, Aeryn, I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. It's just that Chiana made me so mad, I just had to get away," D'Argo said apologetically.

Meeting his eye, Aeryn said. "You know she was lying about John. She was only trying to, what is it John calls it? *push your buttons*"

D'Argo grinned sheepishly,"Well, she certainly managed to do that." Beside him, Aeryn grunted with triumph as the last of the chains fell away. She bent and helped the tall Luxan to his feet. Then the pair made their way quietly out of the cell. D'Argo moved anxiously ahead, desperate to reclaim his Qualta Blade, while Aeryn brought up the rear. When the train of her dress came loose, she paused briefly to tuck it back up again with a muffled curse.

Voltimand and his soldiers moved silently down the passageway towards the escapees. With a quick gesture of his hand, Voltimand indicated they should capture the woman first, then the other two daemons. The soldiers swiftly and efficiently overpowered the woman, grabbing her arms and gagging her before she could make a sound. Two held her struggling between them while the rest moved on to recapture the first daemon. Voltimand smiled at her and bent to whisper in her ear, "Welcome to Prym, PeaceKeeper." The shock in her eyes made him smile even harder.

Unaware of Aeryn's capture, D'Argo hurried to join John in the search for his Qualta Blade. His eyes widened in relief as he found John on his way back with D'Argo's precious weapon tucked under his arm. The Human passed it to his Luxan friend with a grin then stared into the dark passageway behind the Luxan. "Where's Aeryn?"

"She's right behind me," D'Argo replied, sheathing his weapon. "Thank you for this, John."

"Any time, D'Ar..." John began, then he caught a glimpse of several soldiers approaching down a crossway. Turning on his heel he called out to his friends, "Here they come! Run!" and headed back down the passageway through which he and Aeryn had entered. He heard D'Argo's footsteps pounding behind him. When they had nearly reached the door to the dungeon, John realised that Aeryn wasn't with them. "Aeryn! D'Argo, where's Aeryn?"

D'Argo turned and cursed to see only more soldiers behind him. Pushing the Human out the door ahead of him, he raced through screaming crowds of people in the courtyard. The fleeing nobles hampered the progress of the soldiers enough for John and D'Argo to duck unseen into an empty shed beside the stables. John looked around frantically for Aeryn. "D'Argo, we've got to go back!" he hissed furiously. D'Argo cursed and then pointed across the courtyard.

John watched in horror as a struggling Aeryn was dragged from the dungeon and led up the stairs into the castle's Great Hall. Thinking only to get to her, John started out of their hiding place, but was stopped by D'Argo. "Let me go, D'Argo! I've got to help her!" he said furiously. D'Argo pulled the struggling Human down as several knights moved closer, searching.

"You'll be no help to her if you get caught too!" the Luxan hissed furiously as the threat passed.

John glared at him but realised the wisdom of his words. "So what do we do now? Where are they taking her?"

"Probably before the King," D'Argo said. "That's where they first took me."

"Then that's where I'm going," John said. He reached around and pulled off his cloak. "Stay here. If anyone comes in, put this on. It should cover you enough for you to get away." Then he slipped out and joined the throng of curious courtiers filing into the Great Hall.

A bound and gagged Aeryn was dragged unceremoniously into the Great Hall and forced roughly to her knees in front of an elderly man on a throne. Behind him, several other richly dressed men stood staring at her with various degrees of fear and contempt. At the King's side, a languid young man lounged, leaning over to whisper occasionally in the King's ear. Aeryn turned to look around her and saw that the massive hall was swiftly filling up with curious onlookers. Several soldiers ranged behind her. She noticed that wherever she looked, people turned away from her gaze in fear. Finally, she turned back to face the King, who held her stare without fear.

"So, Voltimand, this is your witch, is it?" the King said, his voice ringing out despite his obvious frailty. "She doesn't look like much of a witch to me?"

"Oh, but she is," the man who had recognised her as a PeaceKeeper stepped forward. "She behaved exactly as I said she would. Did she not, gentlemen?"

"My Lord Fyvvie, is this true?" the King demanded.

One of the knights behind her stepped forward. "Indeed it is, Sire. As my Lord Voltimand predicted, she spoke with the daemon in his language and freed him using magic." Aeryn's eyes widened at the Knight's description of their jailbreak. "We all witnessed it."

"And where is the daemon now?" Cydon demanded.

"He got away, my Lord, but we will soon recapture him."

"Yes, you will. Lord Voltimand needs the daemon to exorcise the curse from this land," Cydon said. "Just as we will use this witch to free ourselves from the threat of the dragon," he announced to the astonished gasps of the crowd. "Her death in the dragon's jaws will drive the beast from our land!"

Aeryn heard his words and started to struggle against her bonds.

"Nephew, it has not yet been proven to my satisfaction that this woman is indeed a witch. Voltimand said she will be unable to speak any but the daemon language, and yet she is brought before this court gagged. While I trust the testimony of my knights implicitly, I need to hear the proof with my own ears before I sentence this woman to a horrible death," the King ordered the soldiers to raise Aeryn to her feet. "Remove the gag!"

The King rose shakily from his seat and came to stand before Aeryn. Cydon rose and joined him "You can obviously understand what we're saying. Voltimand claims that you cannot speak our language, that you are a witch, able only to speak the daemon tongue. Save yourself and speak to me in my language." the King said, his tone almost pleading.

Aeryn stared at the old man, her eyes filled with fear and despair. But she said nothing. Beside her, Voltimand stepped forward, "Let me try, your Highness." At the King's curt nod, he bent to whisper in her ear, "You are about to be fed to a dragon, PeaceKeeper. A fire-breathing dragon. So never fear; you will be overcome by the living death long before the animal tears the flesh from your bones." Aeryn started to shake with fear at his words, but still said nothing.

Frustrated, Cydon stepped forward and slapped Aeryn across the face, "Speak, witch! Speak!" Aeryn raised her eyes defiantly to stare at him, but still said nothing.

"Cydon! That is enough!" the King ordered, enraged by his nephew's actions.

The mage stepped forward again, before Cydon could say anything more. "It is obvious that she will not condemn herself before you, your Highness. However, the sun is going down. The dragon will soon be awakening. You have the testimony of your own knights and the proof of the daemon's release. What more do you require to save your people?"

The King met the magician's challenging stare. Then he looked once more at the frightened but defiant woman before him. He raise his eyes to survey the expectant faces of the courtiers crowded into the hall and sighed. "It will be as you suggest, Voltimand. This woman will be taken to the dragon's lair and chained there as a sacrifice. I pray that you are right in this course of action, that it will drive the dragon away. Take her away!" he said then let himself be led from the hall, to the cheers of the assembled people.

Down in the hall, hidden amongst the courtiers, John heard the sentence and his heart was filled with fear. He watched in despair as Aeryn was dragged away, then he turned to rejoin D'Argo. Outside, a line of knights was already forming to take Aeryn to the dragon's lair. John slipped into D'Argo's hiding spot, his mind racing for some possible method of rescue.

"What's going on?" D'Argo asked, indicating the knights preparing.

"They're going to feed Aeryn to the dragon. Tonight. They think she's a witch and that sacrificing her to the dragon will drive it away," John explained, watching the preparations anxiously.

"They're going to feed her to a what?"

"A dragon! Big lizard! Flies! Breathes fire!" John ground out. "It attacked us last night. Destroyed the transport pod." He looked around at the stables they were hiding in. "Can you ride one of these things?" he asked.

D'Argo glanced around at the animals and nodded. "It shouldn't be too different from a Luxan Prelnor."

John saw Aeryn led out, tied to a horse and gagged once more. The knights quickly formed up around her as much to protect her from the shouting mob as to prevent her escape. "Well, saddle up. There she is. We're going to follow."

***************

Dungeons and Dragons Part 3

D'Argo and John looked down into the scorched clearing before a large chasm where the knights were nervously competing their task. The sun was nearly down as they finished chaining the *witch* to a dead and blackened tree opposite the cavern, looping chains around her waist, and feet, then chaining her hands behind her. Already, the ominous sounds of something massive could be heard moving around deep inside the cave. The entrance to the chasm was blackened with soot and heat emanated from its depths.

"We've got to get down there," John whispered.

"It's no good. We've got to wait until those knights leave. We can't free Aeryn and fight all those knights off at the same time," D'Argo replied, frustrated.

"What if they don't leave?" John asked anxiously.

As the last rays of the sun disappeared, the knights all looked around at each other nervously. Then from deep within the cave, a despairing cry rang out. The scrabbling sounds came closer and suddenly waves of heat started to roll from the entrance. Another cry, just inside the darkened entrance was all it took to drive the knights to their horses and back to the safety of the city walls.

"Come on!" John cried, starting to scramble down to where Aeryn struggled to free herself. Then the dragon began to slowly emerge from its lair.

"Whoa!" D'Argo followed him but stood still in shock at his first glimpse of the massive dragon. The creature crawled out of the chasm on four heavily muscled legs. Its three-toed feet were armed with gleaming talons. As it cleared the cave, immense leathery wings unfurled from its back, and a long tailed whipped angrily around its back legs. At the sight of the rising full moon, it threw back its head on its long reptilian neck and shrieked in despair, deafening John as he raced closer to Aeryn. Huge tongues of flame shot out of its mouth and nostrils high into the night air, and a wing-like hood opened on its neck.

John reached Aeryn and pulled the gag from her mouth, then began to frantically undo her bonds. "John!" she cried in relief, trying to control her fear as the beast shrieked again.

"D'Argo, get your ass over here. We need to use your Qualta Blade to cut the chains. Hurry!" John stepped back as the Luxan raised his blade and chopped at the chains.Then he saw Aeryn's eyes widen in dismay.

Behind him, the dragon had shrieked a third time, then stopped and sniffed the air. Its massive head had lowered suddenly and it focussed on the tree in front of its cave where Aeryn was chained. It recognised the scent as the one that had eluded it the night before and suddenly the creature was crawling forward eagerly.

"D'Argo! Cut faster!" John said, watching the dragon get closer and closer. The temperature rose dangerously around them as the beast's hot breath washed over them. John turned to face the monster, in a futile attempt to shield Aeryn.

"John, get my gun! Shoot it!" she cried.

He dove under her skirts and retrieved her pistol then turned and fired at the beast. But the pulse pistol was useless against the armour-like hide of the creature. Still it came forward. John fired again and again.

"John, D'Argo, it's too late! Get out of here!" Aeryn pleaded.

"No! I won't let this happen!" John said angrily and fired again. This time he succeeded in hitting the creature in its opalescent eye. The beast reared up and let out a tortured shriek.

"Ouch! That hurt!"

The trio struggling with the chains stood stock still, "What?"

The dragon lowered its head and stared at them in astonishment, "I said *ouch*!" the dragon's voice thundered. "You can understand me?"

"Yes," John said, holding the gun on the massive beast. "You can speak?"

"Yes," it hissed, and a wave of hot breath washed over them, causing Aeryn to groan in distress.

"Well, back off! You're not eating Aeryn!" John said. "We're going to get these chains off her and get out of here!" He waved the pulse pistol at the dragon.

The dragon backed away and lowered its head humbly. "I have no intention of eating her. Or anyone else for that matter."

John lowered the gun slightly, "Well, good. How you coming with those chains there, D'Argo?" he said turning slightly.

"Almost through!" John turned to put his arm around Aeryn, then faced the dragon once more. "Are you okay, Aeryn?" he said, keeping one eye on the subdued beast.

"I'm fine, John, but it's very hot," she said weakly.

"Hey, pal, can you back off some more? Your breath isn't good for Aeryn here. She doesn't handle the heat too well," John said to the dragon.

"My humblest apologies, my dear lady," the dragon said graciously and pulled back even more. "Better?"

Aeryn looked at the dragon in astonishment, then smiled weakly, "Yes, thank you." With a final chop, D'Argo sliced through the last of the chains holding Aeryn and she collapsed against John. He wrapped her in his arms and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. Then he turned back to the dragon somewhat nervously.

"Well, if it's okay with you, we'll just be getting out of here. I don't think those knights will be coming back but just in case ..."

"Wait!!" the dragon's huge voice thundered and hot breath blew over them again. "Sorry!" he said, more quietly. He fixed his opalescent eyes on Aeryn. "My dearest lady, I need your help."

Aeryn looked at the dragon in astonishment. "My help?"

"Yes!" the dragon moved forward slightly. John tightened his arms around Aeryn and D'Argo grasped his Qualta Blade more firmly. Seeing their nervousness, the dragon backed away again. "I wasn't always a dragon. I am the victim of a powerful magician named ..."

"... Voltimand," John supplied, then started to laugh uproariously. Aeryn, D'Argo and the dragon all looked at him like he had lost his mind. "No, no, wait. Let me guess. You're the missing Prince August, right?"

The dragon gazed at him in reptilian shock. "Yes. Voltimand changed me into this form with some machine of his."

"So how come you can understand us?" D'Argo asked.

"Voltimand injected me with something so that I would understand all languages, so that I would know what all the creatures I fed on were saying, pleading for their lives." The dragon hung its head in sorrow and shame.

"What did this Voltimand guy have against you?" John asked, clearly moved by the creature's remorse.

"I didn't trust him. I wanted him gone from court."

"John, Voltimand is no more a magician than I am a witch. He is from off-world. A Moradyn, I suspect." Aeryn said quietly to Crichton. "So how can I possibly help you?" she asked the dragon. Beside her, John began to laugh again. "What?"

"I was wrong, Aeryn; this isn't Camelot, this is Beauty and the Beast."

The dragon looked at the laughing Human in confusion. D'Argo and Aeryn merely shrugged. "The spell can only be broken with a woman's kiss, given freely. The machine was attuned to reverse because of female hormones. Will you do that for me?"

Aeryn looked at the dragon in surprise, then back at the chortling Human. "A kiss? That's it?" The dragon nodded. "How did you know, Crichton?"

"It's pretty standard on my world," he replied cryptically. Then a nasty thought struck him. "Hey, she's not going to turn into a dragon or a frog or anything. You're just going to turn back into a man, right?" The dragon nodded again. Then looked hopefully at Aeryn.

"It seems simple enough," she said and started forward, only to be driven back by the intense heat of the dragon's breath.

"What? What's wrong?" the dragon demanded.

"It's too hot. I can't get close to you. Heat damages my kind," she said sadly.

"Please, my Lady, it must be tonight! With the setting of the full moon, I will lose all memory of my previous life! I will indeed become the vicious beast they believe I am! Please, try again!"

Casting a worried glance at John, Aeryn moved cautiously forward again, but the heat the dragon generated soon overcame her and she collapsed. John raced forward and dragged her free. The dragon hung its head in defeat. "Voltimand has indeed beaten me as he always said he would."

"Wait!" John cried. The dragon raised its head and fixed sad eyes on the Human. "Hold your breath," John instructed the beast. Then he turned and helped Aeryn to the dragon. "I'm here. I'll help you." She cast him a grateful smile and then turned resolutely towards the creature.

The dragon drew a deep breath and then stretched his massive head out towards Aeryn. She shivered at the waves of heat that still emanated from the beast but leaned out and quickly kissed its nose. John pulled Aeryn back suddenly as the dragon released its breath and went into convulsions. The ground shook as the trio scrambled out of the way of the writhing animal. The dragon seemed to roll in on itself and finally disappeared back into the cave. The three fugitives watched and waited until finally, a stumbling figure emerged from the entrance of the cave.

As the restored Prince August approached on unsteady legs, John focussed on Aeryn who was still weak from the heat of the erstwhile dragon's breath. He had just managed to help her to her feet, with an arm wrapped tightly about her waist when he caught the expression of surprise on D'Argo's face.

"Unbelievable," the Luxan said in wonder. John turned to the approaching figure and stopped in amazement. The man approaching was tall, dark and probably the handsomest man John had ever seen. He turned immediately to Aeryn who had not yet looked at the Prince, suddenly very uncertain.

Prince August drew closer and his dark eyes registered their gratitude and male appreciation of the gasping Sebacean in front of him. Aeryn started when the Prince knelt in front of her in clear admiration and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips. "My Lady, my heart is unsure whether it is beating more rapidly from thankfulness or astonishment at your incredible beauty!" he declared, pressing a tender kiss to her hand. Aeryn stared at him in astonishment and her expression turned embarrassed at his open admiration. "Mere words cannot express the depth of feeling I have for you right now," the Prince continued, pressing more kisses to her hands.

Aeryn looked down at him, clearly unsure of herself and overwhelmed at the Prince's feelings. "You're ... welcome, your Highness," she said, hesitantly

"Yes, Your Highness. We are all pleased to see you restored." John added, then he reached over and very deliberately took Aeryn's hands from the Prince's, drawing her once more into his protective and now very proprietary embrace. The look he gave the handsome Prince was almost challenging. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to get out of here." John steered Aeryn very deliberately in the direction of the road back to the hidden Prowler.

"Wait! if I could impose on you for a short time longer?" the Prince said, almost desperately.

With a sigh, John turned back to the young man. "You need our help against Voltimand," he said resignedly.

The Prince smiled again at the strange being's clear understanding of the situation. "Yes. I need you to help me establish my identity with my people and to defeat the evil mage Voltimand. Will you help me?"

John turned back and met the eyes of his companions. D'Argo was hesitant but Aeryn seemed to be willing. "John, he's up against a much more powerful being than he is. Much as I want to get back to Moya, I think we should help him."

D'Argo sighed but agreed with his Sebacean shipmate. "She's right. He really doesn't stand a chance against a Moradyn on his own. We've come this far. We can help him so easily."

John looked at his two shipmates and then at the anxiously awaiting Prince. "I think we're crazy, but okay," he agreed, a little worried at the obvious pleasure on Aeryn's face. Then he turned to D'Argo. "However, I don't think you should go with us, Big Guy. If August shows up with both a daemon and a convicted witch, I don't think anyone will believe him." D'Argo looked about to protest, but Aeryn stepped forward, agreeing with her Human shipmate.

"John's right, D'Argo. Besides you're wounded. It would be best if you got back to the Prowler and got it ready in case we have to make a hasty retreat." D'Argo looked uncomfortable with his friends' decision but agreed. He turned on his heel and headed to the forest clearing where Aeryn's Prowler still lay hidden beside the ruined transport.

Once D'Argo was out of sight, John addressed the Prince. "We've got two horses just over the ridge there. Can you get us back to the castle?"

August smiled smugly, "You forget, good sir, I have been winging over this land for a full year now. I know the way." He turned and held out his hand to Aeryn, "My Lady?"

Aeryn looked at John and then placed her hand in August's. "It's not, *my lady*, your Highness. It's Aeryn, Aeryn Sun," she explained, letting him help her up the ridge to the horses.

"Then I shall be August," he said magnanimously. When they reached the peacefully grazing horses, he turned to help Aeryn mount.

"Wait," she said and disappeared into the trees. When she returned, she had her pistol holster strapped around her waist.

John grinned at her. "Feel better now?" he teased.

"Infinitely, though the sooner I get out of this dress..." Aeryn raised an eyebrow at John's exaggerated leer, then smiled as he helped her up onto the nearest horse, her smile growing wider as he very quickly swung up behind her, leaving August to mount the other horse.

"Lead the way, your Highness," he said, wrapping his arms around Aeryn and taking the reins.

The trio rode swiftly back to the road and then pounded through the early morning fog to the castle that emerged from the mists in the rosy glow of dawn. The road was thankfully deserted, and with an imperious shout, Prince August startled the city guards into opening the gates. Before they could question his sudden reappearance, the Prince and his companions pounded through the city towards the castle. The drawbridge was lowered for him and John and Aeryn followed the Prince into the courtyard of the castle, halting suddenly at the row of knights clearly ready to defend their King. The Prince swung down from his horse and marched impatiently up the nearest knight who watched his approach with trepidation. The knight drew his sword and challenged the being before him.

"Halt! Do not come any closer!"

The Prince smiled reassuringly, "Fyvvie, it's me, August." he said gently.

The knight's sword lowered slightly but he did not give in, "August? How? Where ... ?"

"I know it's just one more strange thing in a series of unusual happenings, but I assure you, it is indeed me." The Prince replied. " Who else have you told of your desire for the Lady Jenna?" The knight's eyes widened in shock. "Or you, Aldor. Who else knows what really happened to your father's sword five years ago?" he said, turning to the young knight next to Fyvvie. The Prince continued to share confidences with a number of the young men who all stared first in awe then began to grin. The Prince had nearly convinced them when Fyvvie caught sight of John and a dishevelled Aeryn, still mounted behind him. His expression hardened and he raised his sword defensively. "The witch? This is nothing but evil magic!" the knight declared.

August turned around and with a smile lifted Aeryn down from the horse, leading her forward. "There is indeed evil magic involved, but this lovely lady saved my life," When John had dismounted and joined them, the Prince's voice rang out, "Take us before the King, my father. Let him decide!" The knights hesitated for a moment then formed up around the Prince and his friends and led them into the awakening castle.

Word had obviously spread before them like wildfire. The Great Hall was already filled with hastily dresses nobles and courtiers as the Prince and his escort filed in. The King sat straight-backed in his throne. John saw his eyes fill with pained hope at the sight of his missing son, but he did not say anything. August walked right up to the foot of the dais and bowed deeply. "Father," he said, his own voice conveying his longing to be recognised.

"That remains to be seen," the King said. "What is the meaning of this?" seeing the witch he had condemned to death alive and well and obviously with his *son*.

The Prince drew himself up. "A year and a half ago, a malevolent being came into our world, into our city, bent on evil and domination. Like everyone else, I welcomed him as a friend of my cousin Cydon. But I soon came to recognise the threat he posed, and petitioned you, my father, to have him removed from the court. That very night, as I returned from my evening ride, I was confronted by the evil mage and turned into the dragon that you have lived in fear of for a full year. Every night, Voltimand came to my lair and taunted me with the fact that the only way I could be restored was through the willing kiss of a woman. But all who saw me fled. I hunted for deer in the forest but eventually was forced to feed on the cattle and sheep of my own subjects. If I had not been restored by last night, Voltimand vowed the change would become permanent and all trace of my former self would have been lost. I would then have indeed threatened your very lives in my insatiable hunger." The Prince paused, searching the face of his father for some sign that he believed the story he was hearing. Then he continued "But Voltimand in his hatred, made a fatal error." August turned around and drew Aeryn forward. The assembled court gasped at the reappearance of the *witch*. "He convinced you to sacrifice this noble lady to the dragon; not to drive it away, as he told you, but to torment me by placing the means to my salvation in front of me. He believed she would die before I could be saved, but it was not to be." He kissed Aeryn's hand to her obvious embarrassment and smiled at her. "She is not a witch but an angel. She and her friends recognised me for what I was and she risked her life to give me the kiss that saved me."

There was a commotion and a very angry Voltimand and Cydon, hastily dressed and fearful, entered the room. "A fine tale, daemon, but still a tale," Voltimand said in a ringing voice. "Sire, this is yet another daemon, sent to threaten your fair kingdom. Arrest them!" he said with a wave of his hand.

"Not so fast, Voltimand," the King said, his face registering anger and growing suspicion. "You claimed that daemons were unable to speak our language. You used it as proof against this young woman here. But now, before us, we have a supposed daemon who does indeed speak our language. How can this be?"

Voltimand met the King's eyes, for the first time unsure. "The witch, sire, she heard what we said. She has used more powerful magic to create this simulacrum of your son, to trick you."

John stepped forward to Aeryn and whispered to August, "Better do some fast talking, your Highness." he tensed, preparing to have to fight his way out with Aeryn. He saw that she thought the same thing, her hand slipping down to hover over her pulse pistol.

"Father, you know there are things between yourself and your son that cannot be known through any evil; sacred things that only August would know. Let me approach and share those things with you now, as proof of my identity." The Prince waited anxiously, his eyes pleading with his father for recognition.

Cydon watched in despair as the King looked at his son and then nodded. Several knights followed the Prince as he mounted the steps and spoke quietly with the King for a time. The crowd saw the King's expression grow increasingly less tense and finally break into a wide smile. "Voltimand, do something!" Cydon hissed urgently at the mage.

Seeing his eminent defeat, Voltimand was filled with an insane rage. Reaching into his robes, he drew out his pulse pistol and raised it to aim at the Prince who was now embracing his father.

John caught the motion out of the corner of his eye. Jumping forward, he yelled out, "August, get down!" as the Moradyn fired at the object of his hatred. The shot caught the Prince in the shoulder as he pushed his father down. Voltimand then turned his pistol on the PeaceKeepers. "Aeryn!" John cried, unnecessarily. Aeryn drew her weapon and quickly fired back, knocking the pistol from the mage's hand. John dove forward and grabbed it then straightened and pinned the mage down as he cradled his injured hand. When Cydon tried to sneak away, John motioned at him and he dejectedly joined his former co-conspirator.

All around them, people struggled to get away from the magical lights. Aeryn replaced her pistol and bounded forward to check on August. Bending over him she checked his wound and then tore a piece of cloth from her hem and tied it around the wound. Fearfully the Prince looked up at her,"Will I die? Or turn back into some horrible monster?"

Aeryn smiled reassuringly down at him, "No, your Highness, it's just a simple wound. It will heal." Then she looked around for John and saw that he had the Moradyn held. "Order your knights to arrest Voltimand," she suggested to the King, who stared at her, uncomprehendingly. Realising he could not understand her, she repeated it to August, who translated for her.

"You can understand her?" the King said in astonishment as Aeryn and August helped him to his feet.

"Yes, another one of Voltimand's torments let me understand all languages," August explained."Even the language of angels," he said with a tender smile at Aeryn. John came over to join them as Voltimand and Cydon were led away, Cydon claiming loudly that he had been enchanted by the Mage from the start.

"Ready to go home?" he asked Aeryn. She looked at him and nodded. Then she turned and placed a hand on the Prince's arm.

"What will you do with Voltimand?" she asked.

August covered her hand with his. "He will be tried for treason and executed for his crimes. Is that acceptable to you? He almost caused your death as well." She nodded, then turned to John, preparing to leave. "Wait!" he called suddenly. Then he looked slightly unsure, "Could I speak to you? Alone?"

John felt suddenly nervous. Aeryn met his anxious gaze and then nodded. "John, could you please call D'Argo and tell him everything's all right?"

The Human hesitated slightly, then nodded. He watched as August drew Aeryn aside. The Prince spoke earnestly to her for several microts, then he saw Aeryn shake her head. Her eyes slid to where John stood and then back to the Prince. He too looked at John then smiled sadly. Finally he bent and kissed Aeryn tenderly before leading her back to John. As Aeryn bent to pick up her train, August leaned forward and whispered, "You are a very lucky man," to John.

John looked at him in surprise then his eyes went to Aeryn and he smiled back at the Prince. "Yes, I am," he agreed. Then he helped Aeryn down the stairs and away.

***************

After a rather cramped trip back to Moya aboard Aeryn's Prowler, D'Argo John and Aeryn tumbled out of the crowded cockpit. Aeryn was seething that D'Argo had had to fly the craft since her gown prevented her from controlling the ship safely. D'Argo had wisely destroyed the transport pod so that its presence would not contaminate Prym's culture any more than had already occurred. However, he had not removed Aeryn's change of clothes, a fact that she had berated him for during the entire flight back. The returning crew was met by Rygel and Zhaan, who hugged them all happily. One look at Aeryn's outfit had the little Dominar smirking.

"If you know what's good for you, your Lowness, you won't say a word. Not a single word," she threatened. John grinned and Zhaan smiled at the Sebacean's discomfort. Aeryn glared at John, who wisely said nothing. She grabbed up the skirt of the gown and, hiking it up past her knees, marched out of the docking bay. Behind her, she heard Rygel asked, "What's burning?" and John's snorted laugh.

D'Argo looked up to see a very contrite Chiana hanging around the door of the hangar. His entire attention focussed on her, he walked over and took her hands in his. "Chiana, I'm sorry for what I said," he said, his eyes anxiously searching her face.

"Me too," she said, gazing up at him, then a hint of a smile appeared. D'Argo's eyes softened and he smiled too. Chiana's expression suddenly turned wicked. "Care to kiss and make up?" she suggested softly. D'Argo's eyes widened in appreciation and soon the pair was heading back to his quarters, their fight forgotten.

After the evening meal, John found Aeryn sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees on the floor of Moya's terrace, gazing out at the stars. "Mind if I join you?" he asked softly and she smiled and patted the floor beside her.

John took a chance and instead moved to sit behind her, drawing her unresistingly back to lean against him. She let him wrap his arms around her with a sigh of contentment, and rubbed her head lightly against his chin. "You okay?" he asked softly. "Things got a bit dicey there for awhile."

"I'm fine, John," she said and turned to smile up at him.

He held her gaze for a time, suddenly serious, and asked, "August wanted you to stay, didn't he?"

"Yes." was all she said, and turned to stare out at the stars. Before he could say anything more, she quickly changed the subject. "So that's what Earth was like. It goes a long way towards explaining why you are so bizarre, Crichton." He heard the smile in her voice, enjoying her teasing.

"Hey, it was 6oo cycles ago!" he protested. "Humans have come a very long way since then. We don't believe in dragons or evil sorcerers any more."

"You say dragons were never real, but they appear in the stories of many cultures?"

"Yes," John explained. "I wonder what people on Prym will believe 600 cycles from now?"

"That what happened was just a myth and not real. It makes you wonder what might have prompted the stories about dragons and magic kisses on Earth," Aeryn speculated.

John looked down at her dark head, then his arms tightened around her. She turned her head to face him. "What, John, what is it ...?" Her question was cut off when he cupped her chin in his hand and bent to kiss her with tender passion. Aeryn responded with a fire of her own and for a time all was silent on the terrace.

Finally, John raised his head and smiled down into her eyes. "Well, I didn't get turned into a frog or anything, but there's definitely magic there." With an answering smile, Aeryn slid her arm up around his neck and pulled his lips down to hers once more.

FIN

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