### 338

Your refusal to pay infuriates the toll collector. He brandishes his sword at you and threatens to cut off your ears. The marines laugh at his bravado; they are in no doubt who would end up the loser if he was foolish enough to pick a fight with you. Their disparaging laughter wounds his pride and you sense that he is about to fly into a blind rage. Using your psychic Kai powers, you cool his anger and persuade him to put away his sword. He does so, and politely now he asks that you pay a toll of 4 Gold Crowns to cross the bridge. With a nod of your head you indicate to your companions that this is a fair price and you each hand him 1 Gold Crown apiece (deduct this 1 Gold Crown from your Action Chart; if you have no money you must erase one Backpack Item instead).

The reduced toll charge does not include a night’s lodging at the inn and so you ride through the village and set up camp on a wooded slope a mile beyond. The night is bitterly cold and the close proximity of scavenging timber wolves frighten your horses and prevent you from getting much sleep (lose 3 ENDURANCE points). At first light you strike camp and continue your ride through the Koneshi Pass.

Turn to 156.