37

Grudgingly you hand over 20 Crowns to the young man before you and your companions stable your horses and enter the inn. To your disappointment you discover that it is a dreary place with few furnishings and decorations to soften its grey, spartan interior. A dozen villagers sit huddled around a pair of circular tables. With an air of boredom they sip their watery ale and stare at the walls in dull-eyed silence. The innkeeper, who is the father of the toll collector, serves you each a plate of stale bread and cheese for your supper. He tries to engage the marines in conversation, but they are so disgruntled with the poor food that they deliberately ignore him. Oswin suggests that you all get some sleep and make an early start, and the others heartily agree.

If you possess the Grand Master Discipline of Bardsmanship and you possess a musical instrument, turn to 272.

If you do not possess this skill, or if you do not have a musical instrument, turn to 8.