### 296

The scream ends abruptly and you think no more about it until you see two troopers running towards the Princess’s carriage. You sense that something is seriously amiss, and you decide that perhaps it would be best if you investigated further.

On reaching the carriage, you discover Princess Mitzu consoling her young son who is shivering with fright. Chan is nearby, holding a dead serpent by the tail. You swallow hard when you see that it is a scarlet viper, a notoriously poisonous snake. One of Chan’s troopers is being restrained by two of his comrades, and he is pleading his innocence.

‘What is going on?’ you ask.

Chan explains that the Prince disturbed the viper which was asleep under the covers of his cot.

‘He is lucky to be alive,’ says Mitzu, hugging him close. ‘His cries alerted Captain Chan and me, and when we arrived, we found Trooper Yankin inside the carriage. I suspect he is an enemy agent, one of the Autarch’s spies.’

‘I’m not, I swear it!’ retorts the accused man. ‘I was nearby when I heard the Prince scream. I rushed into the carriage to save him. I thought he was being attacked.’

You stare directly into the accused man’s eyes and your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that he may be speaking the truth.

If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, turn to 152.

If you possess Kai-surge and wish to use it, turn to 230.

If you possess neither of these skills, or if you choose not to use them, turn to 244.