Wren paused at Meldrith's southeast border and looked down the path. Here she was, at her first fork in her road, and she couldn't decide what to do!

One way led down a steep, rocky path to the coast. In the harbor she saw a ship with long, rakish lines. The flag waving and snapping in the bright sunlight could have belonged to any country -- or to pirates. The only thing she was sure of, it wasn't Meldrith's banner.

Back to the west, along the Hroth River, lay Hawk's Castle. She didn't really want to begin her journey by tangling with any of Hawk's people, much less their sardonic (and magically trained) leader. Of course, this was a sure way to adventure -- either that or else a quick trip to a dungeon. If Hawk didn't exercise his "sense of humor" by trying to turn her into a cactus or something equally dismal.

Behind her lay Senna Lirwan. Idres was in charge now, but still, no one knew where Andreus was. Wren did not want to risk traveling through that land, even to see the Iyon Daiyin caves, until she knew he was safely gotten rid of. He had too much of a grudge against Wren the Mysterious!

The afternoon was hot, but sunset would come soon. She had to pick a path and get somewhere before night. As she shifted her knapsack, she became aware of the sounds. Someone was on the path with her -- was the choice about to be made for her?

~Sherwood Smith