Page 51

The lobby of the inn is crowded. You walk up to the counter.

"May I help you?" asks the clerk.

"We'd like a room for the night," you say. "And we're also meeting a friend. Has a sorceress named Sharalinda arrived here yet?"

The clerk shakes her head. "No one by that name's come in. Perhaps if you wait awhile?"

You nod. At least we didn't miss her, you think.

"Um, Renn, can I speak to you for a second?" Merlyn asks, pulling you away from the counter.

She takes you to a corner of the lobby.

"What's wrong?" you ask.

Merlyn whispers harshly, "I don't know what kind of traveling you did in your home world, but here, do not identify someone as a sorcerer when inquiring about them in a room full of people. Remember what Sharalinda said about demon allies? They can be anyone, and you never know who is listening. And they'll be very interested in the business of a party taking instruction from a sorceress. So please, for your own safety and that of your friends, be a little more discreet!"

You cheeks color. "Ah, sorry," you say.

You both walk back up to the counter.

"So, yeah, we'll take that room," you tell the clerk.

"You came just in time," says the clerk. "The place is nearly full. It seems everyone in Kalyre's come to Bray for the night. I don't think anyone wants to be on the road � maybe they can sense a storm approaching. Anyway, our rate's 50 shrin a day for a room and board."

You turn back to your companions to discuss the price.

"Seems awfully expensive," you say. "Sharalinda only gave us 300 shrin for a sword. Will we still have enough?"

"Hey man, I don't wanna sleep outside tonight," says Deke.

"I'm with you on that," agrees Merlyn. "I don't want to be on the road tonight, either. I think they're all right about the...storm."

"Okay," you agree, and turn back to the counter to pay the clerk. You have a feeling that Merlyn had meant more by that last comment than she'd said, but by the time you turn again to ask her she is already making her way up the stairs. So you shrug, and follow.

The inn's rooms are small and plain. Your room contains two small beds, two clothes chests, a small table with a lamp, and a mirror. Unfortunately, Deke and Merlyn have both arrived before you, and immediately claimed the beds.

"It's okay, Renn," Deke says, attempting sympathy.

"Yeah...the floor looks pretty comfy, too," Merlyn lies outright.

So you grumble a bit, steal her blanket, and have a seat on the floor.

Ten minutes later Deke is snoring, and Merlyn is standing in front of the mirror combing her fingers through her short, brown hair. You can't quite get comfortable. You ask Merlyn, "When do you think Sharalinda'll get here?"

Merlyn shakes her head. "I don't know," she says. "She'll come whenever she is ready. Sometimes it takes awhile to consult the gods."

"Merlyn," you ask, "what did you mean in the lobby, about the storm? You said you didn't want to be on the road because you could feel a storm coming...but that's not all you meant."

She turns away from the mirror for a moment, then sits right down on the floor with you. She says, "Vulkaro is getting angrier every day. Manifestations of its wrath won't be limited to fireshrews in the wilderness for much longer. The air crackles with its hate. And many of the people can feel it...even if they don't understand what it is they feel. I can feel it, and I do know what it means. Kalyro, Zephiro, and Kuaro can no longer restrain it. Your time is coming soon."

You shudder. If three gods cannot stop this Vulkaro, how, possibly, can I?

"If you try," Merlyn says softly, "I'll bet you can feel it, too. Feel its hate, and its pain."

Though it is a warm night, you fall asleep shivering.

You lose 50 shrin.
Turn to page 63.