You’re joking?

I do not joke.

I've got to warn Elspethe, the snake goddess? And tell her the message? And you think I'll survive the experience?

What number would you have preferred?

#5 was looking good to me.

You cannot do nothing. You must forge your own destiny here. I must also remind you that the POD-VRI is operating on pulse power, and no one knows how long that will last. Once the power goes, you will not be able to return, even if you have all four scrolls, until it is at full power.

I'd forgotten about that. Okay, I'll tell Elspeth. I'm sure I'm going to die here; it may as well be sooner rather than later. I'll face the fangs.

You hurry back to the Tavern with your bag of herbs and kit. You just make it through the doors before darkness falls and it starts to rain.

Hodin Is sitting with his feet up on a stool in front of a blazing fire. His eyes are closed. You walk cautiously up to him, wondering why Hickrick Is so nervous of an elderly beggar.

“I expected you back sooner.”

“I'm sorry about that. Some of the plants were hard to reach and I ended up in the river of shifting sands.”

“And you managed to get out?”

“Yes. The river let me go. Eventually.”

“I was right about you. You will make waves here, Valda. You may wonder how or why, but you're important in this town, on this planet. It's your destiny to be here. You’ll change the course of many lives and destinies in your time here “

“And accidentally take lives, too?”

“I know what happened. I suggest you keep it to yourself. You won't make waves if you have no head, or the medical students turn you into a patchwork person.”

“You know? How?”

“I may only have one eye, but I see more than hundreds of pairs of eyes. Come, sit. I’ll pay for your food. You need to keep your strength up. Then, you must start work on the potion. I'm afraid you’ll need to work through the night. I’ve arranged for you to have use of the kitchen all night to mix the potions. In return, Sal wants a vial of the same potion as mine and it must all be left tidy, and you must not still be working in there at 5am when they start the breakfasts.”

You sit down with Hodin to a hot bowl of soup, bread and cheese. There is an awkward silence as you eat.

What soup is this? It's nice, but I'm worried it's going to be dragon wing soup or cream of wasp. And I daren't ask because I've not paid for it.

Pretend it is chicken.

It could be chicken. let's go with that. everything tastes like chicken, somehow.

Elspethe brings two cups of honey coffee and you shudder knowing what you know about her and that you have to tell her the message - and how you come to have it.

“You're very quiet. What’s troubling you?”

“Elspethe isn't too keen on me, and I've got to speak to her later. I'm not sure I'll survive the ordeal.”

“Her bark’s worse than her bite.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that. She's already tried to help thieves kill me once and I'm sure she'll try again.”

“But this time, you're expecting it. In this world you’ll learn from your mistakes. You’ll get stronger, better, wiser. Once, I was like you. Look at me now. You might see an old man in rags who has no home and not much money… but I have experience. I’ve survived this long because I adapted, I gained skills to help me survive. And I know more magick than all the people in this town will ever know in their lifetimes combined. Sorcerer level magic. But I don't use it unless I have no other choice.”

“I've heard people say you might be more powerful than you look.”

“The magick is what’s powerful, not me. I only direct it. These calloused hands could end this planet with barely a flourish. Some still see only a beggar. If only they knew who walks among them…”

“But your feet… surely you have a spell to heal them?”

“What better test of your powers than for you to make a potion? Will it not benefit you, too? Give you confidence in your skills as Valda to make potions? Give you something to sell? Give you shelter tonight? Show people you have useful skills? Get you noticed by the right people?”

“I'm grateful for your help, Hodin, and for the meal. I really must go and make a start on the potions now. Where can I find you?”

“I am wherever the wind blows and whenever the birds sing. But tonight, I will be by this fire.”

You head over to the kitchen. Sal is folding his arms, standing in the doorway.

“Hodin’s taken a shine to you. That would worry some folks. When I was a young adventurer, I'd have loved to have Hodin on side. Whatever you do, don't get on the wrong side of him. The kitchen’s through there. We've finished serving meals now. Elspethe’s just got the last of the washing up to do then it's all yours till 5am. Make sure you leave it tidy.”

You enter the kitchen and are surprised by how big it is. You have never seen so many pans of various sizes hung up on the walls. Sacks of flour are stacked in the corner along with various jars on the shelves. It looks like a well-stocked, well organised kitchen.

Your stomach turns over when Elspethe walks in carrying dirty plates over to the sink. She does not look at you.

“Elspethe… I… there's something you need to know. Don't bite my head off… I'm just the messenger. You know how you can speak with such venom sometimes, especially if you think there's a snake in the grass… but you know, two heads are better than one… sometimes...”

“Come again?”

“I guess… what I'm trying to say is…”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Wait! You know about the snake?”

“Ye..ss… but that's not what's important right now. Tom Goode’s dead.”

Elspethe holds on to the sink as her knees suddenly go weak. She has gone very pale.

“He can't be. He's… meant to be coming here… He should be here by now… You're lying. Did you see his body?”

“Erm… no, but he's definitely dead.”

“Says who?”

“I'm really sorry but he… went into the river of shifting sands so there won't be a body to see.”

“How convenient. And you… just happened to be passing, did you?”

“Not exactly. He was the one just passing.”

“I told you, didn't I? Once one of your kind turns up, bad things happen! Why did you have to come here of all places? Why now?”

“That's a good question. I wish I knew myself.”

“Did you kill him?”

“Accidentally.”

“How? Did you not realise who he was? Surely you heard Trellis singing about him? Do you realise what you've done?”

“I didn't know who he was, I didn't know he was nearby and I didn't know the giant wasp things would go berserk once they ate the cake.”

“Oh. You really don't pay attention, do you? There’s a warning on the provisions pack menu about the cake. I guess you missed it?”

“I didn't notice it at the time. He was carrying a message… I need to tell you what it was because … I've caused a rift in what should’ve been, caused a death and somehow… might’ve irreparably changed things… events. if I give you the message he was going to give you - I'm assuming the message was for you? Maybe the ripples in the fabric of the future won't become tsunamis.”

Elspethe grits her teeth and clenches her fists. you are wondering how long it will be before the snake makes another appearance.

“The message?”

“Ah, yes. it said the safe house is under observation. the king’s coming a day early. You need a new plan. You need to get the barrels back and - trust no one.”

“And you could read the message?

“No. It was in code.”

“So, someone else knows what the message said?”

“Yes. But they won't say anything.”

“Trust no one…”

“Right.”

“Can you be sure that's the correct message?”

“No… I guess not, but it sounds right. And if the king turns up a day early… it'll prove it, won't it?”

“Who could crack that code?”

“Someone who wants to remain anonymous. I should’ve said I was the one who cracked the code, but I don't think you would’ve believed that.”

“I'm not sure what to believe right now. But… how do you know about the snake? How did you know about our plan?”

“I accidentally discovered the secret room and corridor whilst mopping my room. I was hiding behind the barrels. I heard and saw everything.”

“So, you'll understand why I have to kill you?”

“It wouldn't be your first attempt, would it? But why try again? Hodin and the river won't be pleased if you succeed. I've told you everything I know. I didn't need to. Fate decided I had to tell you. I was quite happy to sit it out and wait and see what happened. There must be a reason why I had to tell you. I reckon it’s so I can make things right.”

“Could be. I have things to do - just in case you're right. Wash these pots for me and I'll leave you alone - for now.”

Elspethe leaves in a hurry, and you proceed to prepare the portions using the herbs you carefully collected.

The kitchen is rapidly an intoxicating infusion of aromas that keeps you on your feet all through the night, despite your tiredness.

You carefully fill the waiting vials, bottles and jars and label them and are finished just before 5am.

Sal walks into the kitchen trying to look stern, but his eyes show he is happy with your results. You hand him his bottle of the potion.

“It smells right, and looks right, so I reckon you've done a good job. It's been a long night, eh? Go and sit by the fire and I’ll rustle up a couple of Dragon eggs for you. I reckon you’ve earned them.”

You gratefully accept and realise just how tired and hungry you are. You fill your bag with your potions and leave the kitchen as Elspethe walks in. She looks like she has not slept either. She has dark circles under her eyes and her hair is unusually untidy. She does not acknowledge you.

There is no sign of Trellis. Hodin is eating his breakfast, his heavily bandaged feet raised on a stool. You hand him a jar of healing potion and he starts to apply it immediately to his heavily blistered feet. The relief in his eyes is easy to see.

“You have done well. It works.”

“I'm glad. I've got plenty more if you need it.”

“You must get yourself a permit for a stall. It’s market day tomorrow. You'll need one. You should do well - after all, you have my recommendation.”

“Easier said than done. Those cut purses have a lot to answer for. I've got an idea to stop them doing it to anyone else. I just need a forge.”

“Trust, and you'll find a way – if that’s the way you're meant to go. You need a forge, you say? Speak to old Haleburger over there. He's the local blacksmith. But if you take away the opportunity… you'll make a formidable enemy of The Guild of Honourable Thieves and they’re a powerful bunch because of the sheer numbers of them all over Glamis.”

“It's not right, then stealing off people by stealth like that. I can stop it happening to others. And I will do..

“I wish you luck, you're going to need it.”

You cautiously walk over to Haleburger who seems to know who you are.

“This may seem an odd request… but can I use your forge for an hour or so?”

“Are you a blacksmith?”

“No, but I understand the basics of a forge and I only need to work on a small project. It could benefit lots of people if it works.”

“A small project you say? Aye, I could allow it, seeing as you're a friend of Hodin over there. He’s not keen on strangers as a general rule, so if he's buying your potions… I'm willing to take a chance on you.”

“That's great. I just need a thin length of iron, a hot forge, tongs and a hammer. It shouldn't take me long to make but I might need help with the fastening part.”

“Sounds interesting. When do you want to start your project?”

Elspethe walks in with your breakfast. She places it on Hodin’s table. Her hands are shaking. She does not look for you.

“After breakfast? I've got to see someone later; I promised I would if everything went to plan.”

You walk over to Hodin’s table. His feet are already starting to heal. You start to eat, wondering what is going on with Elspethe.

“Where is Trellis? I haven't seen him for a while.”

“He's about. He got word of a spy, so he's gone to round them up. What's that over there, in the corner?”

You see a gold coin in front of the blazing fire. You get the poker and pull it towards you.

“It's one Kand!”

“Fancy that! Finders keepers. Now you have your permit money for market tomorrow. There's usually plenty of coin on Tavern floors. People full of ale with full pockets are careless.”

“Well done for spotting it.”

You finish your breakfast then set off with Haleburger to the forge despite not having slept.

You explain your design idea to Haleburger. instead of a long, flimsy leather lace attaching your coin purse to your belt, you want to make a solid metal clip which is shorter so it's closer to the body. It will be impossible to cut through with a sharp knife and it will be harder to reach without being noticed. Haleburger Is impressed with your idea and together, you soon create the prototype. It works.

“You could sell these. I reckon you'd get 3 kand each, easy.”

“Good. I need coin thanks to the cut purses. They picked the wrong person to pickpocket when they picked me.”

You spend a couple of hours making more before you leave. You plan to have a couple of hours’ sleep before you set off to Hickrick’s.

But before all that, you need to ask Hodin if you can see the map.

You leave your stack of coin clips at the forge and head back to the Tavern. There is a nervous energy on the streets. People eye each other warily and are unusually jumpy.

You are glad to see Hodin is still at his table.

“I can see already you were successful. I would like one of those myself. Not that anyone would steal from me but… I will also endorse this new product of yours.”

“Thank you. Yes, Haleburger thanks I can get 3 kand each for them. Plus, I have my potions. I hope I earn some kand tomorrow selling them. Do you have the Map? Could I check if one of the scrolls is nearby? I got a tip off yesterday there may be one within walking distance. I don't want to take the risk of checking it out if I don't need to.”

“A wise decision. Of course.”

Hodin hands you the map. You close your eyes and concentrate your thoughts on the scrolls and the cave of the silent screams.

You open your eyes and sure enough, the scroll is showing at the cave.

“Oh no. Trust it to be somewhere dangerous.”

“Anything well-hidden is hidden for a reason. Anything hard to reach isn't meant to be found easily.”

“I'm going to have a quick nap first.”

You settle down in front of the fire and soon doze off, dreaming of screaming caves and flesh-eating spiders.

You are suddenly woken by drums and shouting.

“They've caught the traitor!”

“Who? What was that?”

You follow everyone else out of the Tavern. You jump up and down at the entrance trying to see who has been caught. You file outside and to your horror you see Hickrick in chains, led by a triumphant Trellis.

“How could you?”

“I didn’t!”

You look over at Elspethe. She turns away.

You turn to a man in the crowd.

“Where will they take him? What will happen now?”

“He's a spy, a traitor He wanted the king dead, so he'll be taken to the Star room then he'll be killed.”

“But he isn't a spy, or a traitor!”

“If I were you, I'd keep quiet about knowing that tree nymph - or you'll be joining him.”