78

You dismount and climb the steps leading to the temple doors. An old man in brown robes answers your knock and invites you and Paido inside; a novice attends to your horses.

Stepping through the door is like stepping into another world. The air is sweet with incense and the flickering light, cast by a long row of squat red candles, does little to illuminate the interior. You follow the old man along a vaulted corridor, down several flights of stairs, and finally into a torchlit refectory. A delicious smell of cooking wafts from an open hatch in the wall together with the sounds of people in the kitchen beyond.

‘Be seated,’ says the old man, pointing to a stout oak table laid for supper, ‘and enjoy our humble food. May it revive you after your travels and fortify you for the road ahead.’

Another monk enters the chamber, carrying two steaming plates of meat stew. He sets them down before you and blesses the food with the words, ‘Gaj kog zutag’. You are hungry after your day’s journey and must now eat a Meal or lose 3 ENDURANCE points.

If you wish to eat the appetizing stew, turn to 336.

If you choose to eat a Meal from your Backpack instead, turn to 217.

If you decide to go without food, deduct 3 ENDURANCE points and turn to 174.