The Gaming Den

You are pushing your way through the wheatfields of the plains. South and west of you, a road runs from a bridge across the river just north of you southeast across wilder countryside.

WAIT

• Search the wheatfields? (512)
• Cross the river? (156)
• Head towards the road? (6)
• Head southeast out of the wheatfields toward the wild countryside and Braggart's Hold? (214)

You are standing on a well-paved road cutting through a wide expanse of wheatfields, flat and open. To the north a river meanders right across the plain from east to west. To the southeast, the road travels on through wilder countryside towards the old castle of Braggart's Hold. To the northwest the road toward a bridge across the river.

Your hounds pick up the scent of the quarry on the road. You are on his trail.

WAIT

• Search the plains? (512)
• Head west across the plains? (672)
• Head north, toward the river, off the road? (34)
• Follow the road towards the bridge? (12)
• Follow the road towards the castle? (214)

(Your opponent has a relevant codeword.)

You continue along the road. All is quiet. The body of some human is lying dead beside the road. It appears to be a gaudily-dressed highwayman. Just another dead human, you think, so you continue on your way.

WAIT

• Go south along the road? (6)
• Head west into the wheatfields? (672)
• Head east into the wheatfields? (34)
• Head on towards the bridge? (256)

Your opponent is slain, victory is yours, the hunt is completed. Once again the slave has proven too weak to escape the valley, too weak to challenge your might. The news of your triumph will spread across the valley and your people will see once more that humanity is too frail to overthrow you. There will be celebrations at Castle Remorse this night, but only you will enjoy the banquet to the full. The humans will always live in fear of the Firedrake.