Page 27

When you next wake Sharalinda is back, and Deke and Merlyn are in the room with you as well. Merlyn is now fully clothed.

"Hey, look who's awake!" Deke says brightly, tossing his fumball in the air, as you sit up.

"Hello, Renn," says Merlyn, "How do you feel?"

"Well, my head still hurts," you say, rubbing it.

"Maybe I can do something about that," says Merlyn.

"How? are you a doctor?" you ask, dubious that such a dancer would have medical skills.

She laughs. "No, I'm a sorceress!" she explains. Then her cheeks color and she glances at Sharalinda. "I mean, I'm an apprentice. I hope to become a sorceress some day."

Smiling, Sharalinda says, "The girl Merlyn is my student. She has a long way to go yet, but if she stays alive and focused, she'll one day be among the most powerful sorcerers Kalryne has ever known.

"The two of us came to the Gundal fair searching for you," Sharalinda continues. "Merlyn's been masquerading as a dancer, just as I pretended to be a fortune teller. She recognized the medallion around your neck as well, though I doubt she's learned to read the Pangelian lettering well enough yet to say what it meant." Merlyn shakes her head, confirming this. "But she saw the medallion and knew she had found you, though she obviously didn't want to reveal its true significance to the crowd around you."

"Why not?" you ask.

Sharalinda looks solemn as she explains, "There are many who would harm or kill you if they knew who you are. You see, not everyone wants for this world of Kalryne to be saved. Some are convinced that if they are loyal to a demon during its reign of destruction, they will escape the demon's fury and share in its power after the demolition is complete. My twin sister Malynda is one of these; she is a sorceress you will need to watch out for on your quest. There are not many of these demon allies, but most often there will be no way for you to tell who they are. So you must always be cautious, and never trust anyone of whose loyalties you are not certain.

"But you'll not need to worry about demon allies for awhile, yet," Sharalinda reassures you. "And for now, Merlyn can heal the wounds I've inflicted upon you with my 'object launch' spell. Healing is her area of greatest strength."

You glance at the young apprentice, who is rolling up her sleeves. "I don't know about that," you say. "I don't know how I feel about having magic spells cast on me."

If you want Merlyn to try to heal you, turn to page 34.
If you don't want her to try to heal you, turn to page 39.