Page 9

A large crowd is gathered around the stage, mostly men holding cups of ale. They are clapping and cheering. You push as close as you can for the best view. Two women are on the stage now, one wearing next to nothing and the other even less. Your eyes nearly pop out of your head. You're appalled...and also a bit amazed.

Off to one corner of the stage men are playing music for the women to dance to. You wonder if the music is supposed to sound that odd, or if the men are simply a bit distracted from their instruments.

One of the dancing women leans so far over the edge of the stage that she appears about to fall. Men crowd around to catch her...and just before she reaches their waiting hands, she swirls around, straight up to her feet, and raises her hands for applause, of which she gets plenty.

The spectator next to you waves his hands in the air and laughs, in the process splashing the front of your shirt with all the ale remaining in his cup. You step away, but instead of feeling cold...you realize that your chest feels warm! You grab the medallion out from your shirt, and see that it's glowing! You don't know what's going on, but decide it may be best to get away from the crowd.

"Oh! Don't leave!"

It is a feminine voice calling to you. It isn't...couldn't be...the woman on the stage?

"That's right! You with the sparkly around your neck! Don�t go!" And to your astonishment she climbs down from the stage and walks through the puzzled crowd which parts for her, straight to you. Up close, you see that she is barely more than a girl.

"I love sparklies," she says. "Oh, but...it's not glowing anymore. I...I saw it sparkling a moment ago." Her voice sounds confused and hurt.

You look down and see that indeed, the medallion's glow has diminished. Unsure of what to say (and feeling that "I don't know what it is" might sound stupid), you hold it out to her.

"Such a pretty color," the girl says. She peers closer. "What color is it?" she asks you.

If your medallion is red, turn to page 3.
If your medallion is purple, turn to page 18.
If your medallion is gold, turn to page 12.