Page 145

Still beaming with joy, you all make your way out of the bar and back to the innkeeper's counter, where Rochibal hands over 100 of your newly won shrin.

"Well now," the man says in surprise as he counts the money. "I hope this was honestly won in my tavern?"

"Sure was!" Rochibal assures him. "We've got a champion athlete among us." Deke beams with pride.

The innkeeper leads you up a creaky set of stairs and down a narrow hallway. He opens a door about halfway down and lets you in. "I know it's a bit tight for five," he says apologetically, "especially at such a high rate, but it's my last room. I'll have some extra blankets brought up here for you. And in the meantime, come on back down to the kitchen. Dinner hour's not quite over, yet."

It's all you can do not to run down the stairs. You all sit down at a table, and you're soon brought bowls, spoons, and mugs. Your food arrives soon after. You can't remember ever eating a meal that tasted so good as the warm bread, vegetables, and hot stew did that night. There is little conversation over dinner, as your companions all enjoy the meal with matching fervor.

Completely sated and very happy, you climb back up the stairs and enter your room. There are only two narrow beds present, but many soft blankets piled on the floor. Straw is poking from a small hole in one of the bed mattresses, and as you're all too tired to argue over who gets a bed, Merlyn pulls a few pieces out and you draw straws. Rochibal and Rial win; the rest of you are perfectly happy with the floor.

Warm, dry, and full, for the first night in a long time, you feel safe as you go to sleep.

You lose 100 shrin, but gain 10 courage, 10 strength, and 10 luck points for the night's rest. Add 1 day to your time to reach Kalokathir.
Turn to page 151.