### 331

You ride all night without sleep, with only the moon to light your way and the howling wind as your companion. As the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon, you see a small village less than a mile ahead. A dog barks gruffly at you as you ride into the refuse-strewn streets, and you are forced to drive it away with the toe of your boot as it snaps persistently at your horse’s hind legs.

On the far side of the village, where the highway enters a line of scattered hills, a fortified manor house stands guard. A large sign, faded by wind and rain, proclaims a curious message:

AMORY CESS—3 GOLD CROWNS

If you wish to stop and enquire at the manor house about the meaning of the sign, turn to 27.

If you decide to ignore the sign and continue on your way to Amory, turn to 146.