152

As you climb through the foothills and leave behind the coastal plain, so the oppressive heat of the desert sun gradually cools as you go higher. Thankfully the hill road is in a good state of repair and you are able to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery as you travel towards the Koneshi Mountains. It is early in the evening when you come to a stone bridge which passes over a steep-sided gorge. On the far side of the bridge you can see a tollbooth, an inn, and a few stone hovels which comprise a tiny mountain village. With daylight fading fast you decide to cross the gorge and spend the night at the inn. You are halfway across the bridge when a muscular young man, dressed in a scarlet mhaktis and clutching a ceremonial sword, emerges from the tollbooth and signals for you to halt. He tells you that if you wish to cross the bridge and spend the night at the mountain inn, the price will be 20 Gold Crowns.

If you wish to pay this price, amend your Action Chart accordingly, and turn to 37.

If you do not have sufficient Gold Crowns, or if you simply refuse to pay this sum, turn instead to 338.