### 30

You whisper the words of the Brotherhood Spell Silence and instantly the thief’s wailing cries cease to echo through the market. The shocked young man clutches at his throat and mouths vile curses at you but no sound emerges from his mouth.

‘Behold!’ you cry, in a loud and imperious tone. ‘The gods have struck this thief dumb for uttering such falsehood ’gainst me!’

Immediately the encircling crowd burst into laughter; they think that the two of you are street actors. One old woman is so amused that she congratulates the dumbstruck thief and then presses 1 Gold Crown into your hand in appreciation of your performance (you may keep this if you wish). The thief seizes this opportunity to escape and turns tail and flees across the square with the laughter of the crowd still echoing in his ears (erase the first item you have recorded on your Backpack Items list).

Turn to 96.