(Untitled)

[superior_rose]

Winters in Germany could be brutal.  Siegfried didn't mind.  He closed himself in his office with a hearty fire and weathered the weather with grace. Modern heating and insulation could only do so much for a stone castle, however.  And yearly Siegfried could see the weather taking more and more of a toll on his mother.  She was always complaining

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[i_own_i2]

Pegasus stood by, watching with interest. He hoped it would work out with Takion gaining his freedom and Cyndia getting her books back, but he was on guard in case some trick was afoot. He wasn't about to let even a dragon get the better of Cyndia.

[takion]

"I'm... not sure what to do," Cyndia admitted.

"Start by giving me a command," said Takion. "If I am compelled to obey, then you'll know you hold the reins of this geas."

Cyndia hesitated. She wasn't the sort to like ordering people around. "Could you... jump?"

"I could," said Takion. "But that was not a command."

[i_own_i2]

"You could try asking him to fetch one of those books for you," said Pegasus. "Then we can see whether you're actually free to take them away or not."

[takion]

"Make it an order," said Takion. "You're too polite."

Cyndia thought that ordering the dragon would be rude, but they had to test the geas. "Bring me a book," she said, trying to sound as if she meant it.

Takion whipped around, shifting to his true shape as he darted back toward the caves where he lived.

[i_own_i2]

Pegasus turned to watch him go.

"Well, that was certainly effective," he said.

[takion]

"It was," agreed Cyndia. She gave a shake of her head. "It doesn't feel right to have that sort of power over someone."

[i_own_i2]

He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We are trying to fix his problem. Sometimes a diagnostic can be painful even when it's necessary."

[takion]

"That doesn't mean I like it," said Cyndia. "But I think I can make my next command that he be free."

[i_own_i2]

Pegasus nodded. "That is probably for the best, on both counts."

[takion]

Takion returned carrying a book. He wasn't at all pleased with being ordered about by another human, but it seemed he had no choice. He approached Cyndia, holding out the book.

[i_own_i2]

Pegasus was a little unnerved by the expression on Takion's face. He hoped he wasn't planning on attacking as soon as he found his freedom. He turned to Cyndia, waiting for her to give the order.

[takion]

Cyndia accepted the book with a serious expression. She was nervous, but determined to do what was right. "Let this be the last command a human gives you," she said. "Be free, Takion."

The spell on Takion snapped, sending out a small shockwave of magic. The dragon's eyes widened, hardly daring to believe that a human truly would let him go.

[i_own_i2]

Pegasus applauded. "Bravo! Well done."

[takion]

Cyndia blushed at the praise. It wasn't as if she'd actually worked any magic. She'd just worked within the rules that were already there.

Takion pulled in his wings and straightened, shifting to a human shape. He bowed deeply. "You have my thanks, Lady Cyndia. And I think I may know how to repay your kindness."

[i_own_i2]

"I hope you don't think we wanted to free you just to be repaid," Pegasus murmured.

[takion]

Takion looked amused. "Well, I did think that you wanted at my books. But I think I can propose a better arrangement."