Page 142

Merlyn sighs. "I guess we'll just have to hope for better luck elsewhere," she says. "Or else spend another night in the countryside ourselves."

"Or," Deke suddenly speaks up, turning to the innkeeper behind the counter, "Could we work in your kitchen for our room? We need a place to sleep, and you need to lighten the workload on your staff, right? It would be a good trade."

"I'll take that offer!" the little innkeeper says immediately, looking relieved. "My kitchen staff will be quite grateful."

Rial scowls at the idea of doing dirty work, and you don't know how you'll be able to stand working in the presence of such wonderful-smelling foods before you'll get to eat any of them.

Deke looks at you all. "Well guys," he asks, "Whaddaya say?"

If you want to work in the kitchen for your room, turn to page 124.
If you don't want to work in the kitchen, turn to page 136.