Page 45

You've been walking along the road for quite some time, and are getting pretty tired. Also thirsty. You consider popping Deke's fumball.

You start to hear noises. At first you think you're imagining things, but in a few minutes you come to a side road. And you realize that someone else is actually traveling this area, too!

"Whoa, there!" an old man yells, and the four horses he is driving come to a halt. They are pulling a good-sized wagon. "Hello," he calls down to you from his seat at the front of the carriage. "What are three travelers doing on this road?" he asks, "If you can call it a road. This is not a safe place to be walking, kids! You never know what's about around here."

"Sir, we're going to the village of Bray," Merlyn tells him. "We're hoping to reach it by tomorrow."

"Ho, now, that's not a great idea," the man shakes his head. "Walking, it'll take you at least a week to make it to Bray.

"We're pretty fast," Deke steps up.

"Still, Sharalinda can't wait for us that long," Merlyn frets. She looks down. "Maybe we should have taken the western road," she says.

"Man, this is the last time we take directions from a foreigner over a local," says Deke.

"Not to worry," the man reassures you. "Climb on into my wagon. I'm going to Bray, myself. And my team is quite fast. I'll give you a great deal, too, just 10 shrin for the three of you. What do you say?"

If you want to take the ride, turn to page 41.
If you want to keep walking, turn to page 48.