299

You are woken at dawn by one of Dorst’s men who immediately hands you a steaming mug of Huas, a delicious Palmyrion beverage. You notice the others are in various states of waking and, as you sip your reviving drink, you watch Dorst shaving at the stream. After a while the Baroness emerges from her carriage. She appears as fresh as a spring flower, and together you breakfast before the camp is struck and you go your separate ways.

‘If ever you visit Lucia Province,’ she says, leaning from the open window of her carriage, ‘be sure to visit my estate in Gadorvo.’

‘I would be honoured, my lady,’ you reply, and wave to her until, at last, her carriage and riders disappear into the hills.

The weather is warmer than of late and you make good progress despite the poor condition of the road. An hour past midday, as you are crossing a treeless valley, you happen upon a young man praying at a wayside shrine. He is dressed in a guildsman’s tunic and cloak, and he appears to be unarmed.

If you wish to stop and question this young man, turn to 170.

If you decide to ignore him and continue on your way, turn to 19.