36

‘My name is Tanith,’ the girl announces. ‘What’s yours?’ You tell her your name, still stunned at her apparent coldness.

‘I am learning the ways of witchcraft in the service of Mother Magri,’ she continues. ‘She says you’re a wizard; is that true?’

‘Of course,’ you reply, a little boastfully. For some reason, you wish to impress this beautiful, young girl with wild, unkempt hair—all ragged and black—and penetrating, green eyes.

‘That is very bad. Mother Magri will have you tortured as an enemy of the Wytch-king. She will take you to the Darkling Room.’

‘Then I must escape,’ you blurt out. ‘Can you help me?’

‘I’ve often dreamed of leaving here,’ she says wistfully. ‘Perhaps you could take me with you?’

‘Yes … yes,’ you say, willing her to aid you. She pauses, a blank expression on her face. ‘But it would take more than a boy and a fat man to do that,’ she snaps angrily, suddenly breaking into peals of girlish laughter. And she flounces away wearing a smug expression, and leaving you with your hopes shattered.

‘She must have come to taunt us,’ says Shan. ‘Such spiteful people these Shadakine!’ You finish your food and try to conceive a plan that will gain your freedom.

If you wish to try to sleep in order to build up your strength, turn to 201.

If you do not wish to sleep, turn to 144.