### 163

During the afternoon of the first day out from Rakholi, a fierce dust storm sweeps across the trade road from the east. For three hours the caravan is slowed to a walking pace as you battle headlong into the blinding gale. The horse teams and the riders are brought near to exhaustion by the stinging grit-laden winds (lose 2 ENDURANCE points).

By dusk the storms have eased and a night camp is pitched on the open plain. While you are rigging a simple shelter for yourself, with rope and a canvas sheet, you hear something that causes you concern. It is the distraught sound of a woman crying. You detect that it is coming from Princess Mitzu’s carriage and you hurry there to investigate what is wrong.

Turn to 78.