Ch08 Nyora's Debt

You knock tentatively at the door. There is no answer. You knock again, more assertively. The goat-skull eyes light up with a deep, red glow. You step backwards, unnerved by that pulsating ruby light. For a few moments, nothing more happens. Then a puff of smoke emerges from the goat's skeletal jaws. Seamlessly, the outline of a door appears in the rock. It swings open, creaking cantankerously. Whoever lives here definitely doesn't get a lot of visitors. Narrow stairs descend steeply into pitch black. [[Go down the stairs. ->doctorLair]] [[No way! This looks much too creepy.->waitByDoor]]

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(set: $data to StrayHeirs["datastore"])(set: $canundo to false)(set: $array_position to 1)(set: $randarray to (a:(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20),(random: 1,20))) ##Chapter 8 #Nyora's Debt |Recap>[(display: "recap")] You lie on hot sand, feeling Rain's eyes upon you, bluer than the sky and warmer than the afternoon sun. You've told him everything, at last, and now he sits beside you on the crowded beach, trickling sand onto your spine. Time passes. He walks into the roaring surf. It's okay. He'll swim and return to you, like always. The waves crash on. You wait peacefully. The sun fades; the world turns gray. Rain is not there. You walk along the beach, calling and searching. People look at you curiously, then walk on. Nobody has seen him. It's black night now, and still you hear only the waves. Everyone else has left. A tornado of grief rises in you, fills you. He is gone. The ocean has swallowed him. You start to run, screaming and crying his name. Futility sinks into your bones. You stand alone in darkness. Cold sand shifts beneath your feet. The intensity of grief awakens you. For a split second, you feel relief; it was only a dream. Then you remember; you lost him. Not at the beach, but underground, in this lightless maze. You lost Tertia. You lost Andreas. You lost... everyone. Hot tears rise, as you wake to a reality worse than your nightmare. You screw shut your eyes, not wanting to face it. Let Nyora kill you. Let the giant serpent eat you up. Slowly, the pain fades into a feeling of mere deadness. You realise you are lying on something soft and cool; neither the warm coils of the serpent, nor the hard rock. [[Open your eyes. ->wakeUp]]

You open your eyes, and meet Rain's.(set: $canundo to true) He's gazing down at you, his expression soft and earnest, a worried smile upon his lips. Another cruel dream. Tears well. His smile fades. He strokes your cheek, shifting aside the hair that's fallen across your face. "Seline? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Can it be true? [["Rain? Is it really you?" ->reallyRain]] [["I was so scared... I thought I'd lost you!" ->lostRain]]

His smile returns, warmer now. "Of course it's me, silly. Did you think I'd ever leave you?" (display: "rainDesc") [["I thought you were dead!" ->thoughtDead]] [["How did you survive?" ->howSurvive]]

His smile returns, warmer now. "Never, Seline." (display: "rainDesc") [["Please, Rain. Promise me you'll never die!" ->neverDie]] [["How did you survive?" ->howSurvive]]

He shakes his head, still smiling. "Honestly, for a while I thought I was too. And then I thought *you* were dead, which was worse. But strangely enough, we're both still here." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["Please, Rain. Promise me you'll never die!" ->neverDie]] [["How did you survive?" ->howSurvive]]

He laughs softly. "I swear upon my honor, Your Highness, as long as I live, I shall not die." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["Cheat. But I suppose that's the best I'm going to get from you." ->cheat]] [["How did you survive the waterfall?" ->howSurvive]]

"We almost didn't. Our boat was smashed. I couldn't see you anywhere, I tried to search, but I was too weak to swim far. I stumbled onto a ledge behind the waterfall, and dragged two of the men onto it, but the others were lost. We found a tunnel leading out into the forest, where we fell into an exhausted sleep. When we woke, we used what was left of the boat to make a sort of raft, and came back to search for survivors." [["So you didn't see the giant serpent?" ->giantSerpent]] [["Let's get out of here, then. Who knows what foul monsters lurk in the backwaters of the Darkvein?" ->timeToGo]]

He smiles. "You wouldn't want me to promise something I can't deliver, now, would you?" (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["I guess not. How did you survive the waterfall?" ->howSurvive]] [["Hmm. You haven't seen a giant serpent anywhere, have you?" ->giantSerpent]]

Rain frowns. "A giant serpent? What are you talking about?" [["Never mind." ->neverMindSerpent]] [["There was a huge green serpent, with luminous spots. He rescued me, and Nyora too." ->giantSerpentRescued]]

Seeing Rain's dubious expression, you add the serpent to the ever-growing list of things to explain later. When you don't elaborate, he shrugs. "Let's get going. Giant snake or no, this isn't an ideal place for a picnic." (display: "timeToGo")

"Are you feeling okay, Seline? Did you bump your head on the rocks?" (display: "neverMindSerpent")

His bruises have faded a little. At least now he can open both eyes, though he still squints. You shake the sleep from your head, still struggling to believe. You sit up, and realise that the cloth wrapped loosely around you is Rain's cloak. You're wearing nothing else. You snatch up its folds. Several people are sitting on the rock ledge. One of them is Nyora. A makeshift raft of splintered planks, bound together with vines, bobs on the ripples with a lantern glimmering at its mast. There's no sign of the giant serpent.

Clinging to Rain's hand, you jump together into the icy black water. (set: $data's likesR to it + 1)(display: "inWater")

You straighten, and pull away firmly. A Crown Princess does not need anyone to hold her hand. You jump. (display: "inWater")

The cold shocks you momentarily, and the smell is stagnant. But after a second you're embarrassed you hesitated. It's no deeper than your waist. You wade after the men, who follow the underwater ledge a little way, then start to clamber up the slick rock face. It's steep, and more than once you nearly slip. At last you reach a wide crack in the wall and scramble inside, panting. You pick your way along the crack, which soon broadens into a wide, twisting tunnel. The floor is rough, covered with sharp debris, and the walls and ceiling bulge with tortured formations, fang-like stalagtites and stalagmites, and bulbous half-formed beasts petrified in the struggle for birth. In the swinging light of the lantern, you glimpse small bubbles in the surface. You frown. This situation seems all too convenient for Nyora; her prey are walking obediently at her side, when they could be fighting, or at least refusing to cooperate. With only two men to help her, perhaps now is the time to attack. Or is it? Could Nyora's feelings have changed? (if: $data's sedN is 1)[What passed between you yesterday, in the lurid glow of the serpent, seemed as unexpected to her as to you. Even now, you cannot look at her without turmoil, the places where she touched you igniting again with fevered whispers. Is it possible she feels anything similar, deep in her icy soul?](else:)[You recall the look in her eyes, yesterday, in the lurid glow of the serpent. You showed her mercy, and she knew it. And Rain, also, has helped to save her life. Would that mean anything to someone like her? Does she think you were merely weak? Perhaps she would hate you even more now, for having seen her vulnerable. But perhaps not. Is it possible that deep in her icy soul, she might feel... not gratitude, surely, but at least, some sense of common humanity? Did something change between you, in those dark hours alone together?] And if it did, would that sentiment be enough to alter her ruthless scheming? You cannot catch Rain's eye. [["Wait, Nyora! We need to talk!" ->needTalkNyora]] [[Pretend to stumble. ->helpRain]]

At last, far ahead, you glimpse a wavering greyness in the air. The grey separates into woodland shades, and soon you are standing in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. (set: $cooperated to true) [[You climb a rough-hewn staircase in the rock, and emerge into the forest. ->emergence]]

Rain's expression is hard to read in the darkness. Is that a wink? "Of course. But let's get out of these tunnels first." He turns back to Nyora, ignoring your incredulous scowl. But as you cross a narrow crevice, he holds out a hand. You take it automatically, and find a slip of paper in your palm. Discretely unrolling it, you read in the flickering torchlight: *Follow my lead. I have a plan.* (set: $rainPlan to 1) (display: "walking")

With a sharp cry, you collapse on the rocky floor, clutching your ankle. Rain's at your side at once. "Are you okay, Seline?" You groan in response, flexing your leg. You notice several sharp-edged lumps of lava rock within arms-reach. It's dark enough that you can probably snatch up one or two unnoticed. "Here," Rain says, arm outstretched. "It doesn't look too bad. Try to stand." [["We must plan our escape!" ->plottingDeaths]] [[Pick up a rock. ->handRock]]

Rain nods. His lips barely move as he whispers: "I know. I have a plan, don't worry." (set: $rainPlan to 1) He straightens, and adds out loud: "There, you're fine. See?" You scowl at him, but he releases your arm, flashes you a confident grin, and hurries back to Nyora. (display: "walking")

You and Rain are outnumbered and weak. Surely a better opportunity for escape will arise later. Ahead of you, Rain and Nyora continue their banter. Of course he is just pretending. He might be hoping to set her off guard, or win her to your side, or extract information. There are many reasons he might feign friendship with her. Even so, as you watch them scramble, side by side, up boulders and down slopes, chatting merrily and gallantly lending hands, it's hard not to wish you'd pushed her downslope when you had the chance. (display: "keepWalking")

(set: $hasRock to 1)As you rise, you slip one of the rocks into Rain's hand, keeping another for yourself. Its edge is sharp as glass. Rain frowns, and shakes his head. Even in darkness, you can read his thought: *Too risky*. But is it any more risky than letting Nyora lead you to your deaths? You shake off Rain's hand; he moves ahead again, walking beside Nyora. (display: "walking")

(display: "dice")(set: $data's fight to it + 3) You (if: $hasRock is 1)[slam the rock down upon Nyora's skull](else:)[shove Nyora forward] with all the force you can muster. (if: $success is true)[She yelps, twisting aside; scree shifts beneath her feet and she tumbles, flailing, down the precipitous slope. Below you, Rain is turning. The henchman behind shouts a curse. You spin to face him, fists poised, but your reach is too short. He throws a punch; you dodge. He advances, big hands extended, easily evading your wild blows. Rain's strike snaps his neck backward; the guard falls like a rag doll. Rain grabs your hand. "Run!" Together, you hurtle down the slope, ignoring the shifting stones beneath your feet. At the bottom you pass Nyora's crumpled form. The remaining guard kneels beside her; he's set the lantern down upon the rock as he cradles her head. [[Kick the lantern. ->kickLantern]] [[Just run. ->runningPassage]]](else:)[She gasps, twisting aside, then leaps nimbly back as scree shifts beneath her feet. (set: $triedPush to 1) "Nice try, princess," she sneers. The two henchmen close around you. (display: "tieThem")]

Rain gives you a last, pleading look. (set: $data's likesR to it + 3) You shake your head. You lost Rain once; you'll never abandon him again. Behind you, the lantern sways wildly, growing brighter. Footsteps approach at a run. Two, or three? The foremost guard swings a punch at Rain, who dodges, aiming a kick at the larger man as he moves. The guard grunts in pain, but keeps moving. You dash forward and strike at the man, but he barely seems to notice as (if: $hasRock is 1)[the stone in ]your fist connects with his leather jerkin.(set: $data's fight to it + 1) Then, quick as a snake, he turns on you, capturing your wrist as you draw back. He (if: $hasRock is 1)[rips the rock from your fingers and ]pulls you tight against him; a small blade presses against the pulse in your throat. "(if: $hasRock is 1)[Drop the stone](else:)[Yield], boy!" he growls. "Let her go!" Rain shouts. "(if: $hasRock is 1)[Drop it](else:)[Yield]!" The second man sets down the lantern and circles behind Rain. [[(set: $difficulty to 15)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Try to wrestle the knife from your captor. ->tryGetKnife]] [["Attack him, Rain! They need me alive, remember?" ->tellRainAttack]]

You flee along the tunnel. Behind, you hear a thud, followed by a curse. Pursuit becomes a scuffle. "Ignore him! Get the princess!" Nyora's shrill shout carries far. You redouble your speed. The darkness is almost complete, and the light behind swings too wildly to reveal the rough ground. They're gaining on you. Running any faster risks a fall; you could try to hide in shadows, but the tunnel is only a few steps wide; your pursuers are unlikely to miss you. [[Hide in the shadows. ->hideShadows]] [[Run faster. ->runFaster]]

(set: $isDark to 1)The lantern crashes to the ground; spilt oil flares orange. Hand in hand with Rain, you run on smooth stone: a river of frozen lava, still marked by ripples where it hardened. Behind you, the flames flicker and die. Darkness surrounds you, thick and choking, and the floor is cluttered with rubble. You slow to a walk; even so, you stumble on the uneven ground. Behind you, feet pound the tunnel, echoing. They're gaining on you. "Keep going!" hisses Rain. He spins to face your pursuers. [["Never! I'm not losing you again, Rain!" ->stayWithRainDark]] [["I'll be back!" ->runAwayRainDark]]

Moments later, you're running on smooth stone, a river of frozen lava, still marked by ripples where it hardened. Behind you, feet pound the tunnel, echoing. They're gaining on you. "Keep running!" shouts Rain. He spins to face your pursuers. You hesitate. "Don't be a fool, Seline! Find your way out. I'll delay them as long as possible -- you can bring help -- it's the only way!" [["Never! I'm not losing you again, Rain!" ->stayWithRain]] [["I'll be back!" ->runAwayRain]]

"Don't be a fool, Seline! Find your way out. I'll delay them as long as possible -- you can bring help -- it's the only way!" You shake your head, though you know he can't see the gesture. You lost Rain once; you'll never abandon him again. Footsteps approaching at a run. Two, or three people? [[Meet them head-on. ->meetHeadOnDark]] [[Hide at the edge of the passage. ->hidePassageDark]]

You flee along the tunnel in pitch blackness. Behind, something thuds, followed by a curse. Pursuit becomes a scuffle. You hurry onwards, keeping one hand to the wall to steady yourself on the rough ground. Several times, your foot descends on nothingness, or a rock slithers away beneath you; other times, your shin slams into brutal sharp rock. You grit your teeth and keep silent. "Ignore the boy! Get the princess!" Nyora's shrill shout carries far. You redouble your speed. But they're still gaining on you. Running any faster risks a fall; perhaps if you hide in the shadows, they'll miss you. [[Hide in the shadows. ->hideShadows]] [[Run faster. ->runFaster]]

Side by side, you wait in darkness, barely breathing. You grip the rock so tight its edges almost cut you. The footsteps approach. [[Throw your rock. ->throwRock]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Wait until your pursuers come within arm's reach. ->waitHit]]

You tug at Rain's arm and creep silently sideways, hand extended, until your fingers touch rough rock. Then you crouch down, gesturing for Rain to do the same. Not a moment too soon! Footsteps clatter on the rocks. You wait, hardly daring to breathe. They pass you by, fade into the distance. All is quiet. Rain touches your hand. "Good thinking," he breathes. Side by side, you creep along the tunnel. It's rough going, and every dislodged rock-shard makes your heart pound with its echoes. But it seems you have thrown off your pursuers. Silence and darkness seem to press against you; every footfall sounds loud as a cannon. Something moves ahead. You freeze, crouching against the wall. "They must be back here somewhere!" Nyora's voice, frustrated, barely an arms-length from your face. The jolt of fear draws a gasp from your lungs, but at the same moment, someone curses. The search party moves on, returning deeper into the tunnel. At last, you start to breath again. Hand in hand, you continue on your way. Just when you are starting to give up hope that your eyes will ever taste daylight again, you glimpse something ahead; a distant circle of golden-green, brilliant as opal. Light filters into the corridor, leaving traces of ghostly silver upon glossy surface of the lava. The silver brightens into woodland shades, and soon you stand in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. A rough-hewn staircase leads upward in the rock. Puffy orange-tinted clouds scud across the dusky sky; the sun has just set, yet the light seems blindingly bright. It's like waking from a nightmare. For a minute you stand, simply breathing in the sweet, flower-scented air and sky. "Come on!" Rain pulls you forward. "What are you waiting for?" [["Just being cautious. That cliff looks awfully exposed." ->cautiousWithRain]] [["Nothing. Let's get out of here!" ->incautiousWithRain]]

(display: "dice")(set: $data's fight to it + 3) Bracing yourself, you slam your head backward against your captor's face. The back of your head meets his chin with a satisfying snap; he yelps. You snatch the knife from his loosening fingers. (if: $success is true)[Looking up, you see a man kneeling atop Rain, punching him. You run toward them, but the first man grabs your arm, and twists. You gasp in pain, but cold fury gives you strength: you wrench your arm free and in the same movement sink the knife into the man's side. It's a glancing blow, but he leaps backward, eyeing you warily. You dash to Rain's side and ram the knife into his assailant's back. The man screams, clutching at you. Rain pushes him aside and grabs your hand. Together, you flee into the darkness. (set: $loudescape to 1)(display: "creepAway")](else:)[Your triumph is shortlived. The other man kneels atop Rain, punching him. You run toward them, but the first man grabs your arm, and twists. You gasp in pain, and the knife falls. (display: "tieThem")]

Rain shakes his head(if: $hasRock is 1)[ and tosses the stone aside]. (display: "tieThem")

Heart pounding, you clamber upward into dazzling light. Sweet, clean air wafts down to you -- the taste of freedom. The steps are steep and slippery with moss; your foot slips, dislodging a pebble. It clatters into the depths. You freeze, suppressing a curse. Nothing moves above. After a minute, you continue your climb. At last, panting, you emerge above the rim of the sinkhole, into verdant jungle. Narrow paths meander into the trees. Though for now, the sky still glows peach-warm, it will soon be dark, and you're all alone in the Twisted Forest. That is, you think you are. Until a bulky figure emerges from the trees. (display: "aloneOnSurface")

You hesitate. All seems peaceful above. You move to the foot of the stairs. Voices approach. You scamper back into the shelter of the dark tunnel. "'Ere? Are ye sure?" "It's where Geran said they would be." "I don't like it. There are stories about this part of the Forest." "There are stories about *every* part of the Forest." "Not like these. Have ye not heard of the sarcophytes?" "Eh, if you're so scared of trees, why don't you climb down into that pit and search for our friends? They can't be far away now." "I might just do that." "Go ahead. *I'm* taking a nap." [[Go back into the tunnel. ->backIntoTunnel]] [[Hide in the shadows. ->hideEntrance]]

Heart pounding, you clamber upward into dazzling light. Sweet, clean air wafts down to you -- the taste of freedom. The steps are steep and slippery with moss; your foot slips, dislodging a pebble. It clatters into the depths. You freeze, suppressing a curse. Nothing moves above. After a minute, you continue your climb. At last, panting, you emerge above the rim of the sinkhole, into verdant jungle. Narrow paths meander into the trees. Though for now, the sky still glows peach-warm, it will soon be dark, and you're all alone in the Twisted Forest. Behind you, someone shouts. [[Turn around. ->turnOnSurface]] [[Run. ->runOnSurface]]

You hesitate. No sound comes from above. But behind you, a stone clatters. It's faint. No footfalls. But you're certain someone is approaching. [[Climb out of the pit. ->climbOutLate]] [[Wait. ->waitAgainAgain]]

"Indeed." Nyora clambers down beside you. She's even paler than usual, but her voice is no less steely. As she moves, your eyes meet. [[Avoid her gaze. ->lookAwayNyora]] [[Keep looking at her. ->lookAtNyora]]

The five of you move on, picking your way across the uneven terrain. You come to a steep drop, its sides littered with treacherous scree. With Rain at her side, Nyora slows to navigate the slope; you're close behind, and as she steps carefully down, for a heartbeat the blonde skull is right below your hand.(if: $hasRock is 1)[(set: $difficulty to (6+$data's likesN/10))](else:)[(set: $difficulty to (10+$data's likesN/10)) ] (set: $skill_name to "Fight") (if: $hasRock is 1)[[[(display: "makeDice"): Hit Nyora with the rock.->hitNyoraRock]]](else:)[[[(display: "makeDice"): Push Nyora down the slope.->hitNyoraRock]]] [[Wait for a better opportunity. ->walkOn]]

You shrink into a shallow cleft in the wall. (if: $isDark is 0)[It won't conceal you fully; you can only hope that the wavering lantern-light will not catch your outline as your pursuers hurry past.](else:)[The passage is only a few steps across; you can only hope your pursuers will miss you in the dark.] As you flatten yourself against the lava wall, a cold outcropping nudges your back. There's a loud click. [[Turn around. ->turn]] [[Freeze. ->freeze]]

Heedless of risk, you redouble your speed. (display: "tunnelEndAlone")

A red glow emanates from two eyes, luminous and utterly evil. The eyes do not move. You blink. No, not eyes. Jewels. They are polished garnets, each as long as your thumb, shining from within. In their ruddy light, you can just make out the elaborate bronze setting that fastens them to the wall. It is shaped in the form of a grinning goat's skull. And it's a door knocker. [[Knock. ->knockOnTreeDoor]] [[No way! This looks much too creepy.->waitByDoor]]

(display: "waitAgainAgain")

You turn toward Rain, hearing the sounds of a struggle as you move. You reach out, but the shapes whirl past you, and in the darkness, you daren't strike for fear of hitting him. (display: "rainCaptured")

Silence and darkness seem to press against you; every footfall sounds loud as a cannon. At last, you glimpse something ahead; a distant circle of golden-green, brilliant as opal. Light filters into the corridor, leaving traces of ghostly silver upon glossy surface of the lava. The silver brightens into woodland shades, and soon you are standing in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. A rough-hewn staircase leads upward in the rock. Puffy orange-tinted clouds scud across the dusky sky; the sun has just set, yet the light seems blindingly bright to you. It's like waking from a nightmare. For a minute you stand, simply breathing in the sweet, flower-scented air and sky. [[Climb out of the pit at once. ->climbOut]] [[Wait. Best be cautious. ->cautiousExit]]

You turn away in revulsion. What lies beyond that door you cannot guess, but instinct warns you against it. A sharp cry echoes from behind you in the tunnel. You've been spotted! You scramble toward the stairs -- and see a human figure looming over the edge. Nyora's helmsman. Footsteps clatter along the tunnel. You look back and forth in desperation, but there's nowhere to go. You're trapped. Seeing your frozen state, your pursuers slow to a leisurely walk. Nyora is in front. In the dim light that filters through the cavern, her blond crown looks disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. [["What took you so long? I've been waiting here for *hours*." ->whatSoLong]] [[Say nothing. ->sayNothing]]

Silently, you flee back into the darkness of the tunnel. Someone descends behind you. Then, to your horror, you hear footsteps ahead. You shrink into a shallow cleft in the wall. (if: $isDark is 0)[It won't conceal you fully; you can only hope that the wavering lantern-light will not catch your outline as your enemies hurry past.](else:)[The passage is only a few steps across; you can only hope your enemies will miss you in the dark.] As you flatten yourself against the lava wall, a cold outcropping nudges your back. There's a loud click. [[Turn around. ->turn]] [[Freeze. ->freeze]]

You cling to the shadows, still as a frog, as a bulky figure descends through the sunlit shrubbery. The stranger passes within an arms-length of you. Soon, his footfalls fade. All is silent. [[Climb out of the pit. ->climbOutLate]] [[Wait. ->waitAgain]]

Silent as a cat, you flee along the tunnel, keeping one hand to the wall to steady yourself on the uneven ground. Certainly Nyora is bluffing; Rain is worth far more to her alive than dead. For a few precious moments, your pursuers do not realize that you are escaping; you have caught them by surprise. Then a thin slab cracks beneath your stride, and the spell breaks. "After her, fools!" Nyora's shrill shout carries far. You redouble your speed. Several times, your foot descends on nothingness, or a stone slithers away beneath you; other times, your shin slams into brutal sharp rock. You grit your teeth and keep silent. But they're gaining on you. Perhaps if you hide in the shadows, they'll miss you. [[Hide in the shadows. ->hideShadows]] [[Run faster. ->runFaster]]

"On your knees." Nyora's voice is soft, and so near you almost jump. You can hear her smile in it. To someone else, she adds: "Tie their hands." (set: $data's likesR to it + 3) You drop to your knees on the rough stone. One of the men loops a rope tightly around your wrists, making you gasp with pain. He gives the other end a sharp tug. "Heel, princess," says Nyora. Reluctantly, you follow your captors. At last, far ahead, you glimpse a wavering greyness in the air. The grey separates into woodland shades, and soon you are standing in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. Wearily, you let the man lead you up a rough-hewn staircase in the rock. [[You emerge into the forest. ->emergence]]

You hurl the rock in what you guess to be the general direction of your pursuers. It clatters onto stone far behind. "What was that?" The footsteps halt. "Back that way!" shouts Nyora. "We must have missed them in the dark." Someone curses, and footsteps retreat along the tunnel. Rain tugs at your hand. "Good thinking," he breathes. (display: "creepAway")

(display: "dice")(set: $data's fight to it + 2) The footfalls come closer, closer; it feels like they're on top of you already. You can feel their warm breath and catch the acrid scent of sweat in the stagnant air. "They can't have gotten far." "Keep checking the walls. We could miss them in the dark." The man's voice is right in front of you. You slash forward, (if: $success is true)[and hit something warm and solid. The voice curses](else:)[striking nothing but air]. Big hands flail around; you duck backward. Rain hurls himself between you. Gasps and grunts echo between blows. The shapes of the men whirl past you; (if: $success is true)[you lash out with a leg, tripping one, and the one behind collides with him. It's a momentary distraction, but it's enough. As your assailants disentangle themselves, swearing at each other, you grip Rain's arm and tug him silently away into the darkness. (display: "creepAway")](else:)[in the darkness, you daren't strike again for fear of hitting Rain. (display: "rainCaptured")]

"Seline, run!" There's a note of desperation in Rain's yell. Then he gives an anguished yelp, cut short. You hear breathing, but nothing more; the fight is over. Nyora's voice is calm and mocking. "Come back here now, Princess. Make one false move, and I'll slit your lap-dog's throat." You imagine an elegantly deadly combination of athletic kicks and somersaults that would disarm Rain's captors before they could blink. Unfortunately, imagining it is as much as you can do. [[Run. ->runRainCaptured]] [["Okay, I yield. Don't hurt him!" ->yieldRainCaptured]]

Rain frowns. "There's no time, Seline, they'll be here any moment. Come on!" He scrambles up the crumbling stairs. Rock-shards clatter into the depths, dislodged by his feet. [[Wait. ->waitAtStairsRainUp]] [[Follow him. ->incautiousWithRain]]

You clamber up the rock face at Rain's heels. It's rough going, and you can't prevent debris tumbling to the floor below. (set: $data's likesR to it + 2) At last you emerge upon the rim of the hole. You grip Rain's hand in excitement, panting in the sweet, clean air. (if: (history:) contains "wake" or (history:) contains "wakeRain" )[Though the jungle is dark and chill, it seems verdantly alive after the stillness of the tunnel. Even the wind tossing the branches makes you feel like dancing. Above you, a canopy of stars soars into infinitely deep blue, tinged with turquoise at the horizon. Rain pulls you close, gazing at you intensely. His eyes mirror the color of the evening sky.](else:)[All around you, the verdant jungle shimmers with life. Birds chatter and whistle in the trees, vigorously debating their roosts. Cotton-soft clouds glow in the mauve-tinted sky, lit from beneath by the last rays of the dying sun. Rain pulls you close, gazing at you intensely. In the evening light, his eyes sparkle deep violet-blue.] Though his bruises still look painful, the half-smile on his lips is as captivating as ever. "Seline, we made it! We're free! I can hardly believe it... you were amazing..." The warmth of his arms surrounds you, and he falls silent, still gazing into your eyes. You sense the swirl of unknown emotion in those eyes, like great fish moving below the surface of a sunlit ocean. [[Say nothing. ->kissRain]] [["So were you! Now, let's get out of here." ->letsGetOut]]

Rain gives you a last, pleading look, then continues up the stairs alone. From the stubborn set of his shoulders you infer that he assumes you will follow. But you plant your feet firmly on the stone. He doesn't look back. For a moment, he's silhouetted in daylight at the top of the hollow. Then he vanishes. A moment later, he cries out sharply. Silence. [[Climb up after him. ->helpRainOutside]] [[Hide. ->hideEntranceRainUp]]

The warmth in his eyes draws you irresistably. Almost without realising it, your body reaches for him, tingling at every pore. He leans closer, still gazing into your eyes. His lips touch yours, tender and delicate as a snowflake. (set: $data's likesR to it + 3) He raises a hand to caress your face with infinite gentleness. Then he steps back, shaking his head. "Seline --" Though his face is calm as ever, you sense a flicker of anguish beneath his self-control. [["What's wrong?" ->whatsWrong]] [["I know, this isn't the time." ->timeToGoSurface]]

Rain nods abruptly, but his eyes linger, as if he wants to say something more. Filled with mixed emotions, you tear your gaze away. Focus. You have to get out of here! You turn on your heel, intending to stomp away into the forest, though you have no idea which way to go. But you are saved from having to make any decision about that, as you run directly into a large man; you dimly remember him as Nyora's helmsman. You give an inadvertent yelp. Behind you, Rain slams his fist into the man's face. The outlaw grunts, swinging his blade at the unarmed man. [[Help Rain. ->helpRainOutlaws]] [[Run into the forest. ->runOnSurface]]

Rain folds his arms, looking away. "You know we can't, Seline. I will never dishonor you." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["There is no dishonor in trusting our hearts, Rain." ->noDishonor]] [["Actually, about that. Umm... We... kind of need to talk." ->needToTalk]]

Rain nods abruptly, still looking at you a deep torment in his violet eyes. "Yes, of course." Filled with mixed emotions, you tear your gaze away. Even though you're certain he didn't intend to hurt you, it's hard not to feel rejected. Never mind. Focus. You have to get out of here! You turn on your heel, intending to stomp away into the forest, though you have no idea which way to go. But you are saved from having to make any decision about that, as you run directly into a large man; you dimly remember him as Nyora's helmsman. You give an inadvertent yelp. Behind you, Rain slams his fist into the man's face. The outlaw grunts, swinging his blade at the unarmed man. [[Help Rain. ->helpRainOutlaws]] [[Run into the forest. ->runOnSurface]]

You rush to Rain's side as he grapples with the large man. The sword swings wildly in the helmsman's hand, struggling to shake off Rain's hold. Seeing you, Rain's eyes widen. "Seline! Run!" Startled, the helmsman turns toward you. Rain twists his arm; the sword flies free and skitters across the turf. The helmsman curses. [[Dart in and grab the sword. ->grabSword]] [[Run. ->runOnSurface]]

You let your fear take control, bolting into the forest along the first path you notice. You plunge into deep woodlands. Shrubs and lianas whip past; you almost turn your ankle on the rough ground, but nothing deters your flight. You run until your chest burns and your legs scream, up rumpled hills and down steep gullies, stomping across small streams that trickle through their depths. At last, your body rebels; inadvertently you halt, leaning upon a granite boulder as tall as yourself, feeling your legs tremble as though they will give way. Gasping for breath, you're conscious of the rapid pounding of your heart. Footsteps crash through the undergrowth behind. You should have known better than to think you could escape the outlaws on foot. You force yourself stumble onwards, lungs burning, barely noticing your path. Hands like meat-slabs close around your hair, throwing you off balance. Before you can recover, a knee slams into your gut. You writhe on the ground at the feet of Nyora's helmsman. "Get up!" he snarls, his voice thick with contempt. "Nyora says you ain't to be harmed. But she didn' say nothin' about the boy. So move!" Not waiting for your reply, he pulls you to your feet, twists your forearm behind you, and half-drags you back through the forest to where Nyora and her men await. Rain, bound hand and foot, throws you a despairing glance. (display: "Chapter9a")

He winces. "I wish that were true. But you know how your father sees me. He will never... And I will not risk your reputation for the sake of mere selfish pleasure. You matter more to me than that, Seline." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["But we're all alone here. Nobody need ever know." ->allAlone]] [["You're right." ->letsGetOut]]

Rain frowns. "Talk? What do you mean?" He hesitates, staring at you. His blue eyes widen. "Seline, you didn't... you're not telling me... oh, dear god, no!" [["Of course not! What the... how could you even think that of me?" ->ofCourseNot]] [["Umm, what are you talking about?" ->whatTalkingAboutRain]]

The helmsman snorts. "Innocent! Your kind deserves far worse than being the Sorcerer's prey." The other man's eyes narrow. He glances around. "Might be a good time to show the princess what she really deserves." (display: "looseBelt")

The man's eyes narrow. "Oh no, Princess. We're not scared of you. We just want to enjoy your ...company." (display: "looseBelt")

You spin, realising the voice came from below. Perhaps if you run -- But even as you start to move, a bulky figure emerges from the trees. (display: "aloneOnSurface")

A sharp cry echoes behind you in the tunnel. You've been spotted! You scramble toward the stairs, but a human figure looms over the edge. Nyora's helmsman. Footsteps clatter along the tunnel. You stare back and forth in desperation, but there's nowhere to go. You're trapped. Seeing your frozen state, your pursuers slow to a leisurely walk. You can see Rain, propped between two men. Though still bruised and limping, he seems otherwise unharmed. When his eyes meet yours, he winces, shaking his head despairingly. Nyora is in front. In the light that filters through the cavern, her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. [["What took you so long?" ->whatSoLong]] [[Say nothing. ->sayNothing]]

She snorts. "I hope you enjoyed the adventure, Highness. You shall not have many more." (display: "sayNothing")

Nyora gestures to her men. "Take the princess to the surface and tie her to the mule with the boy. We've a long ride ahead." One of the men draws a sword and prods you up the stairs. His expression is bleak, indifferent; you sense that he would not hesitate to run you through. (display: "Chapter9a")

You hurtle up the steep rock stairs, ignoring their rough and treacherous sloping into the pit. Somehow, you make it to the top -- and see Rain locked in silent struggle with a large man. You dimly recall him as Nyora's helmsman. (display: "helpRainOutlaws")

You cower in the dim entrance. Clearly, if you climb up, you will be caught at once, and that will not help Rain. Better to keep your freedom and rescue him when you can. Voices emanate from the corridor behind you. You freeze. Though you're unlikely to be spotted from above, Nyora and her men are coming from the darkness of the tunnel. Can they miss you? You have only seconds to decide. [[Hide deeper in the tunnel. ->goDeeper]] [[Stay where you are. ->stayEntrance]]

"That's not the point! You're important to me, Seline. Without your father's goodwill, I have no right to touch you. Ever. It would be an insult, both to you and your future husband." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["Actually, about that. Umm... We... kind of need to talk." ->needToTalk]] [["Okay. I guess you're right." ->letsGetOut]]

Rain exhales sharply. "Oh, thank goodness for that! I'm sorry, it's just... do you think I didn't notice how you looked at that tall, dark outlaw with the fascinating scar?" (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) (if: $data's flirtA is 1 or $data's flirtCh4A > 2)[[[(set: $difficulty to (10+$data's likesA/10))(set: $skill_name to "Deceive")(display: "makeDice"): "What are you talking about? Andreas and I are just friends. Really." ->justFriendsLie]]](else:)[[["What are you talking about? Andreas and I are just friends. Really." ->justFriends]]] [["Oh my... can it be true? You're actually *jealous* for once? That is SO sweet." ->sweetJealous]]

He shakes his head, his expression dark. "Do you think I didn't notice how you looked at that tall, dark outlaw with the fascinating scar?" [["What are you talking about? Andreas and I are just friends. Really." ->justFriends]] [["Oh my... can it be true? You're actually *jealous* for once? That is so sweet. But please don't worry. Andreas means nothing to me." ->sweetJealous]]

Rain's forehead creases. "I... I'm sorry, Seline. I do trust you, you know? It's just - you're important to me. And I don't understand how you can call someone like him a friend. (set: $data's likesA to it + 1) [["Well, calling him a *friend* is overstating it, I guess. In truth, he is no more than an animal - unworthy of my hatred." ->notWorthHating]] [["Well, at the start, I *did* hate him. But then I got to know him... He grew up on the streets, having to fight to survive. And he has every reason to hate the Crown. I never realised how badly my father's choices have hurt the common people, Rain. At first, Andreas took out that resentment on me. But when he saw I wasn't like my father, he changed his mind. That's something I respect. And ever since then, he's risked his life to help us." ->itsComplicated]]

"I am not! I just think it's weird how you're always defending him. The man is a vile brute. And he *kidnapped* you, Seline! Shouldn't you hate him?" (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) [["Why would I get emotional about such worthless scum? He's no more than an animal." ->notWorthHating]] [["I guess that's true. At the start, I *did* hate him. But then I got to know him... He grew up on the streets, having to fight to survive. And he has every reason to hate the Crown. I never realised how badly my father's choices have hurt the common people, Rain. At first, Andreas took out that resentment on me. But when he saw I wasn't like my father, he changed his mind. That's something I respect. And ever since then, he's risked his life to help us." ->itsComplicated]]

Rain sighs. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that, Seline. For a while, I thought you'd taken leave of your senses." (set: $data's likesR to it + 2) He looks around. "Let's get going. Who knows how near Nyora's henchmen may be?" He starts toward the woods. Then you hear the zing of steel. Rain turns. "Stop right there, princeling." A large man emerges from the trees, sword drawn. In a flash you recognize Nyora's helmsman. Unhesitatingly, Rain dashes toward the man, who raises his sword. [[Help Rain. ->helpRainOutlaws]] [[Run into the forest. ->runOnSurface]]

Rain's stare hardens. "Well. Now I understand." (set: $data's likesA to it + 1) Abruptly, he turns away. "Let me know when you figure out how you *really* feel," he adds bitterly, marching into the forest. You bite your lip. Mixed emotions well inside; fury, tearfulness, frustration and an aching sense of loss. Why can't he just believe you? You didn't say you were in love with Andreas. All you said was the truth. It's like he *wants* to misunderstand you. A zing of steel. Rain turns. "Stop right there, princeling." A large man emerges from the trees, sword drawn. In a flash you recognize Nyora's helmsman. Unhesitatingly, Rain dashes toward the man, who raises his sword. [[Help Rain. ->helpRainOutlaws]] [[Run into the forest. ->runOnSurface]]

Moving as silently as possible, you retreat into the deep shadows of the tunnel. You catch Nyora's voice, light as champagne even in the dark; you cannot hear the words, but the men laugh. You shrink into a shallow cleft in the wall. (if: $isDark is 0)[It won't conceal you fully; you can only hope that the wavering lantern-light will not catch your outline as your pursuers hurry past.](else:)[The passage is only a few steps across; you can only hope your pursuers will miss you in the dark.] As you flatten yourself against the lava wall, a cold outcropping nudges your back. There's a loud click. [[Turn around. ->turn]] [[Freeze. ->stayEntrance]]

A sharp cry echoes from behind you in the tunnel. You've been spotted! You scramble toward the stairs, but a human figure looms over the edge. Nyora's helmsman. Footsteps clatter along the tunnel. You stare back and forth in desperation, but there's nowhere to go. You're trapped. Seeing your frozen state, your pursuers slow to a leisurely walk. Nyora is in front. In the dim light that filters through the cavern, her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. [["What took you so long? I've been waiting here for *hours*." ->whatSoLong]] [[Say nothing. ->sayNothing]]

"Is that so?" The man's leer widens, and his small, red-rimmed eyes bore into yours. You lower your gaze to peek at him coquettishly from beneath your lashes. It's all you can do to prevent your lip curling in disgust. [["Have you heard of the reverse ferret? A Princess is taught all the arts of pleasure, you know. But I've never had the opportunity to try that one on someone quite so, umm... manly." ->reverseFerret]] [["Why don't you let me show you? After all, two strong, powerful men like you wouldn't have any difficulty subduing a young girl now, would you?" ->strongMen]]

The man shrugs, still leering at you. "For you, lady, I'm willing to take that risk." But his companion shoves him aside. "She's right. And I'm not going to take the blame for you ruining everything with your stupid lust. Leave her alone!" The man gives you a sour, lingering look as he backs away. "I don't see why we can't make her squeal a bit," he grumbles. "The Sorcerer will have her soon enough." "Because those are orders!" barks the other, baring his teeth just enough that his companion flinches. In a more conciliatory tone, he continues: "Come on, let's have a game of dice. Take your mind off the bitch." The two men sit down, ignoring you. You test your bonds; not a strand gives. So you sit there until the sky turns to sapphire and the trees stand black against the night. At last weary feet clatter along the tunnel. Nyora appears first over the rim. Though it still glimmers faintly in the light of the first stars, her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. Rain follows, held from behind by a guard. Though still bruised and limping, he seems otherwise unharmed. When his eyes meet yours, he winces, shaking his head despairingly. (display: "Chapter9a")

Color rises in your cheeks as you bat your eyelids at the froglike man. Internally, you thank your old Nurse. She may not have taught you the reverse ferret, but she *did* teach you how to create a very convincing blush. "No tricks now, bitch!" growls the man, looming over you as he slices the rope from your wrists. As you kneel upon the earth, his waist is just about the height of your head. He whips his belt out, and tosses it aside; with an ungainly wriggle, his pants drop to the ground, revealing scrawny, blue-veined legs and a matching member. Your heart pounds. He still has the knife in his hand. "Get on with it!" [[Headbutt him in the crotch and flee. ->headbuttRun]] [["Ugh, forget it." ->

The men look at one another. "I'll have no part of this!" snarls the helmsman. He walks away, his mouth turned downwards in disgust. Color rises in your cheeks as you bat your eyelids at the remaining man. Internally, you thank your old Nurse. She may not have taught you the reverse ferret, but she *did* teach you how to create a very convincing blush. "No tricks now, bitch!" growls the frog-like man, looming over you as he slices the rope from your wrists. As you kneel upon the earth, his waist is just about the height of your head. He whips his belt out, and tosses it aside; with an ungainly wriggle, his pants drop to the ground, revealing scrawny, blue-veined legs and a matching member. Your heart pounds. He still has the knife in his hand. "Get on with it!" [[Headbutt him in the crotch and flee. ->headbuttRun]] [["Err, does anyone here have a magnifying glass? I don't want to break it..." ->insultMan]]

Grimacing, you squeeze shut your eyes and slam your forehead against the man's squishy, hairy parts. He howls and leaps backward, the knife flying from his hand. "What the --" his companion starts to move. Unhesitating, you scramble to your feet. For once, your body moves with swift, fluid grace, fueled by disgust. Choosing a direction at random, you don't look back. (display: "runOnSurface")

The man's face darkens, even as his companion doubles over laughing. "For fuck's sake, what did you expect?" he chuckles. But the oarsman bares his teeth at you. Taking your chin in one hand, he glares down at you. You gaze innocently back, still batting your eyelashes. He turns the knife in his hand, thoughtfully. "Mock me again, bitch, and I'll rape you with *this*." Abruptly he shoves you down, hard enough that you fall against the earth. You can't restrain a small cry as his shape moves over you, blotting out the evening sky. "Leave her! She'll pay for this, and more, when the Sorcerer gets his hands on her," barks his friend. He tugs the man aside, and re-ties your bonds. In a more conciliatory tone, he continues: "Come on, let's have a game of dice. Take your mind off the bitch." The two men sit down, ignoring you. You test your bonds; not a strand gives. So you sit there until the sky turns to sapphire and the trees stand black against the night. At last you hear the clatter of weary feet down the tunnel. Nyora appears first over the rim. Though it still glimmers faintly in the light of the first stars, her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. Rain follows, held from behind by a guard. Though still bruised and limping, he seems otherwise unharmed. When his eyes meet yours, he winces, shaking his head despairingly.

Nyora looks away as hastily as you do; apparently, she's as anxious as you are to avoid thinking about yesterday. (display: "onRaft")

(set: $data's likesN to it + 2)(if: $data's sedN is 1)[Nyora returns your gaze. Is that defiance in her eyes, or fragility? Flashes of memories tumble through you - confused fragments, iridescent coils rustling, hunger and warmth, her softness in your hands. You shake your head. Surely it was just a dream! And yet the way she looks at you - you open your mouth to say her name, but before you can she](else:)[At first Nyora returns your gaze with cold impatience. Then something softens in her expression. For just a moment, you glimpse fragility and confusion in her, as if a lost child looks out of her eyes. She] smiles, and coldness shields her eyes like the inner eyelid of a reptile. (display: "onRaft")

Rain passes you your velvet dress and boots, and you strap yourself in. They're dry and warm, though stiff and with a peculiar, stagnant scent from the dark lake. As she steps onto the raft, Nyora stumbles. Rain leaps to steady her as she sways, then jumps onto the raft behind her with catlike grace. He offers you his hand. [[Follow. ->takeHand]]

Nyora gives you a flinty stare. "Do we, now?" (set: $data's likesN to it + 1) [["What happens after we get out of here? Do you still intend to sell us to the Sorcerer?" ->setUsFree]] [["Nyora, we survived back there by working together. Why should that end now?" ->whyEndNow]]

"Then you were unwise. And do not speak of honor to me! You cannot expect one life spared to compensate for the thousands your forebears trampled into dust." [["How am I responsible for the deeds of my forebears?" ->notResponsible]] [[(set: $difficulty to (10-$data's likesN/4))(set: $skill_name to "Charm")(display: "makeDice"): "Huh. I see your point. But surely there's a better way! Kill me and Rain, and you'll face a cataclysmic war. But you know me now. You can see I want nothing more than to rule with decency and justice. And you could help me with that - there's no need for any war. I want you by my side, Nyora. We don't have to be enemies!" ->forgettingSorcerer]]

Her eyes narrow. "The trade is sealed, princess. (if: $data's sedN is 1)[What has passed between us is..." she hesitates, seeming to search for the word. "immaterial.](else:)[I will take no pleasure in it, for it's true you've acted kinder than your kin. But] I will not expose my men to the sorcerer's wrath." [["I saved your life back there, remember? If you have any sense of honor, you will not repay me with murder." ->notMurder]] [["Nyora... You feel it too, don't you? Back there, we had the beginnings of trust. Just a trace... but it's enough to build upon. Why not let yourself imagine it? Think of the things we could achieve together." ->achieveTogether]](if: $data's sedN is 1)[ [["So... you're saying yesterday didn't mean anything to you?" ->didntMeanAnything]]]

"You were happy enough to inherit your father's throne, were you not? To eat at his court banquets, live in his castle and wear his silks? Then you must also inherit the debt of blood and hate with which that privilege was *bought*." [[(set: $difficulty to (10-$data's likesN/4))(set: $skill_name to "Charm")(display: "makeDice"): "Huh. I see your point. But surely there's a better way! Kill me and Rain, and you'll face a cataclysmic war that perpetuates the cycle of hate. But you know me now. You can see I want nothing more than to rule with decency and justice. And you could help me with that - there's no need for any war. I want you by my side, Nyora. We don't have to be enemies!" ->forgettingSorcerer]] [["So your hatred is beyond reason. Well, you won't get away with this, Nyora! Andreas will come for me, I know he will!" ->waitForAndreas]]

She tenses visibly. "I did not say that, princess. But do not press me! Do you not understand, the Sorcerer has marked you as his prey? Should I abandon the hunt, he will entrap you by another means -- and my men and I would pay in blood for breach of contract. I will not throw away our lives for a futile gesture." (set: $data's likesN to it + 2) [["We saved your life back there! If you have any sense of honor, you cannot repay that deed with murder." ->notMurder]] [["Then tell me this. Why should Rain and I cooperate? Do you expect us to walk willingly to our deaths?" ->whyWalkToDeath]]

"Perhaps I shouldn't." She gives a nod to the guards. "Would you please give our royal friends a *compelling* reason to cooperate?" (display: "walkSwordPoint")

(display: "dice")(set: $data's charm to it + 3)(set: $data's persuade to it + 3) (if: $success is true)[(set: $data's likesN to it + 3)For a moment, Nyora's gaze holds yours. Her blue eyes are luminous with something unfamiliar - something broken and yet exquisite. Is it pain? Then she shakes her head. Her voice catches a little, and she speaks softly: "You forget the bargain is already made, princess. Were I to spare your life, I would not live long enough to taste the power you offer -- but plenty long enough to regret my foolishness in the Sorcerer's hands." [["You would be under the protection of the Crown. Not even the Sorcerer would dare touch you!" ->crownProtection]]](else:)[Nyora's eyes harden. "Sweet words, my Princess. But that's all they are, and we both know it. I do not dream of half a throne(if: $data's sedN is 1)[, nor will I be a slave to my body's appetites]."] [["Then tell me this. Why should Rain and I cooperate? Do you expect us to walk willingly to our deaths?" ->whyWalkToDeath]] [["You won't get away with this, Nyora! Andreas will come for me, I know he will!" ->waitForAndreas]]

"*Your* protection?" Nyora scoffs. "Do you think the Sorcerer cannot reach into your father's towers?" [["Nonsense. If he's that powerful, why did he need you and Andreas to kidnap me?" ->notThatPowerfulSorcerer]] [["I never took you for a coward, Nyora." ->cowardNyora]]

"Need? I very much doubt the Sorcerer *needs* anything from us, princess. Perhaps it amuses him to toy with us. Perhaps it is his nature to achieve by circuitous means what might be simply obtained by force. Or perhaps his reasons are entirely unfathomable to creatures like us." [["I never took you for a coward, Nyora." ->cowardNyora]] [["I see. But tell me this. Why should Rain and I cooperate? Do you expect us to walk willingly to our deaths?" ->whyWalkToDeath]] [["You won't get away with this, Nyora! Andreas will come for me, I know he will!" ->waitForAndreas]]

"Do you think you can bait me into serving you? Pah! So typical of your kind; you offer deadly sweets to bend me to your purpose, then when the poison's exposed, you call me coward for not eating it?" [["No, I call you coward for resorting to murder and war out of fear of offending one old man!" ->fearOffending]] [["Sorry. I guess that was kind of a cheap shot." ->cheapShot]] [["You won't get away with this, Nyora! Andreas will come for me, I know he will!" ->waitForAndreas]]

"One old man? You fool. You do not even realise how ignorant you sound." Nyora gives you a vicious smile. (display: "nwalksaway")

"Indeed, it was. And yet I can see you're fool enough to believe it." (display: "nwalksaway")

The men draw swords and move behind you and Rain. A steel point prods between your shoulderblades. It's a long, weary hike with the blade at your back and the rough stone beneath your feet. Neither you nor Rain dares speak. (display: "keepWalking")

Nyora smiles, a superior smile. "*Him*? Of all people, you think *Andreas* will protect you? That fool never even realized we were starting a war." (display: "nwalksaway")

Rain gives you a horrified look. "Seline!" But it's too late. Nyora's eyes harden, an expression that does nothing to diminish the resemblance. She advances on you, smiling dangerously. "Shall I bite out your jugular, princess?" [["Rather not!" ->noThanksJugular]] [["You wouldn't dare. You need me alive." ->needMeAlive]]

One of the men draws a sword. His expression is bleak, indifferent; you sense that he would not hesitate to run you through. (display: "Chapter9a")

Nyora chuckles. At her gesture, the helmsman pulls you to your knees and jerks your head back by the hair. She comes closer. Rain cries out and struggles, but the men grab him. She leans over your exposed throat. Her lips brush the pulsing vein, feeling the pounding of your heart. You cannot move. Her teeth close on skin. The pain is sharp but brief. "Perhaps another time, princess," she whispers. The men laugh as Nyora steps away. (display: "Chapter9a")

"You'd be unwise to bet your life on what *she* will not dare," retorts the helmsman. (display: "noThanksJugular")

You have to crouch to fit through the tiny door. The descent is steep, and the space tight; you can't stand erect without bumping your head, and you have to move sideways to avoid touching the slimy earthen walls. Behind you, the door swings shut with a soft click. Your breath sounds very loud. You can see nothing at all, but the steps keep going down. They are large, stone steps, uneven and slick with moisture and moss. You feel your way cautiously down. Then, suddenly, you are on flat ground. Somewhere, water is dripping. The air smells of clay and mold. Faint, high-pitched chittering emanates from a corner. The sounds suggest you are in a larger chamber. Then something creaks. Dazzling golden light spills from a crack in the wall nearby, and a friendly voice greets you. "Welcome, welcome, friend! Such a delight to have you here at last! Please do come in!" As your eyes adjust, you make out a small person framed in a doorway, gesturing enthusiastically. A warm smell of baking emanates from the bright room behind. You've come this far. No point backing away now. [[Go in. ->goInLair]]

A burly man leads over a fat mule, and with a prod of his sword orders you onto the long-eared beast. Rain climbs up behind you, his long legs dangling comically. The outlaw binds your hands to the pommel. Soon, you are once again trotting through the Twisted Forest by starlight. At least this time, you're sitting upright. And you're not alone. Rain's chest is warm against your back. (if: $rainPlan is 1)[[["Great plan, Rain." ->greatPlan]] ][["That went well." ->wentWell]] [["Hey, we're really getting this escaping thing down. A few more tries and we might even succeed." ->fewMoreTries]]

The underground room is a picture of snug comfort. Colorful rugs warm your chilled feet, and a merry fire crackles in the hearth, over which a kettle bubbles. A small bed occupies an alcove, and a loaf of fresh-baked bread waits upon the dining table with a pat of yellow butter. Your stomach urgently reminds you that you haven't eaten in ages. The walls are mostly clad from floor to ceiling in bookshelves. Some hold glass jars, animal bones and taxidermy samples. The little person bustles about the room, tidying away some small metal implements. He is slender as a child, with a heart-shaped face and a neatly-trimmed grey beard. His green eyes sparkle merrily, magnified by thick-rimmed spectacles. "Come, come, my dear. Would you like some breakfast? Tea, perhaps? And some toast with honey? Or perhaps porridge with brown sugar?" He puts his head on one side, but before you can reply, he adds, "No, of course not. You are clearly famished. Of course you shall have both! Sit down by the fire at once!" He gently pushes you toward the comfortable armchairs in front of the fire. The one on the right has clearly seen a great deal of use: its brocade is worn down almost to the springs. The one on the left looks much newer, and is upholstered in sleek grey leather, with large, puffy armrests. You notice a pair of small levers near its base. [["Thank you so much. I don't wish to impose, but I was kidnapped, imprisoned, kidnapped again, lost in an underground labyrinth and nearly drowned. Among other things. You're the first kind person I've met in days!" ->tellDr]] [["Wait, I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" ->whoDr]]

The small man's eyes glow with empathy at your tale, and he nods sympathetically, placing a hand on your arm. "How awful! You must be completely exhausted. Look at all those scratches and bruises. But now you can relax, my dear. I am Doctor Sharavi, and in my home, you shall find peace." Whoever this person is, he is clearly your friend. Tears spring to your eyes, and you blink them away angrily before they can become a flood. The Doctor gestures toward the two comfortable chairs by the fire. "Do sit down, my dear! Breakfast shall be ready shortly." [[Sit in the new chair with levers.->sitInNewChair]] [[Sit in the old, worn chair. ->sitInOldChair]] [["Actually, I'd prefer to stand." ->keepStanding]]

The small person chuckles and puts one hand on your arm. "Ah, you have not heard of Doctor Sharavi?" He peers up at you, and his warm green eyes seem to almost glow beneath the thick spectacles. Whoever this person is, he is clearly your friend. "No matter, my dear. I am an expert in all matters medical, physiological and herbal, and I would consider it a privilege to have you as my, err, guest." Smiling, he gestures you toward the comfortable-looking chairs by the fire. [[Sit in the new chair with levers.->sitInNewChair]] [[Sit in the old, worn chair. ->sitInOldChair]] [["Actually, I'd prefer to stand." ->keepStanding]]

Your body sinks into the soft leather of the new chair. It really is extraordinarily comfortable. The fireplace crackles merrily, and Doctor Sharavi brings you a mug of hot, syrupy tea, then sets about making toast and boiling a saucepan of porridge. He whistles softly between his teeth as he cooks, not following a tune, but making small flute-like comments, like a small bird. He seems entirely relaxed and cheerful, and he hasn't even asked for your name. As you sip your tea, you wonder vaguely why this doesn't disturb you, but you're too exhausted to give the matter much thought. When he presents you with a bowl of steaming porridge, its surface thick with brown sugar and wafting the scent of cinnamon and raisons, you can't resist devouring it. While you eat, he's browning slices of bread above the flames, and slathering them in butter. You catch him glancing your way now and then, but he looks away at once. When your belly is full, you feel your eyes start to close. It's only natural. You're warm and safe here with your dear friend Doctor Sharavi. He curls up in his old armchair, seeming to meld into its well-worn curves as smoothly as a cat. You expect him to start a conversation, but instead, he picks a large volume from the bookshelf and begins to read. [[Try to see what he's reading. ->lookAtDrBook]] [[Look around the room. ->lookAtDrRoom]] [["Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfast, Doctor Sharavi. I really must be going now." ->tryToStandUp]] [[Rest for a while. ->sleepAtDr]]

You move toward the tattered old chair, but find Dr. Sharavi standing before you. He moves nimbly for an elderly person. "Excuse me, my dear, I'll take that old thing. We suit each other, you know. The newer one I made especially for my *guests*." His expression is determined, and you realize there is no graceful way to refuse. [[Sit in the new chair. ->sitInNewChair]] [["Actually, I'd prefer to stand." ->keepStanding]]

Doctor Sharavi raises an eyebrow. Then he smiles warmly again. You notice his teeth glinting in the lantern light. "As you wish, my dear." You move closer to the fireplace, holding your hands before its crackling heat. As you stand there awkwardly, Doctor Sharavi brings you a mug of hot tea. It smells deliciously syrupy. [["Thank you!" ->drinkTeaStanding]] [["No thank you." ->refuseTea]]

By squinting sideways, you can make out the title of the book without leaving the comfort of your chair. It's called "A Physiological Guide To Practical Vivisection Techniques for the Medical Enthusiast." (set: $data's vampBook to 1) You peer at some of the other titles on the bookshelf. Most are ordinary medical textbooks with technical titles, but a few seem idiosyncratic. "Nociceptors: Functional and Recreational Applications." "An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Instruments for the Surgical Connoisseur." "Case Studies in Infectious Haematophagy III: Asymptomatic Carriers in the Royal Line?" "Comparative Physiology of Vampires and their Relatives." (if: not ((history:) contains "lookAtDrRoom"))[[[Look around the room. ->lookAtDrRoom]] ](if: not ((history:) contains "tryToStandUp"))[[["Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfast, Doctor Sharavi. I really must be going now." ->tryToStandUp]]](else:)[[["Thanks, but I really do need to go now. ->tryAgainToStandUp]]] [[Rest for a while. ->sleepAtDr]]

You shake your head, trying to clear away the fuzzy warmth. No matter how comfortable you feel, you should at least look around before you fall asleep. A taxidermically preserved deer stands by the fireplace, its glass eyes flickering. The windowless walls are mostly bookshelves from floor to ceiling. One shelf displays the cleaned and mounted skeletons of birds, bats and otters. Others shelves support drawers and boxes, whilst still others are packed with glass jars of various sizes, some filled with powders, roots and seeds, others with liquids in which you glimpse objects floating. Looking more closely, you realise that many appear to be internal organs. You make out the partially-dissected bodies of rats, a cat, and a detached human hand, its wrist and skin carefully pared away to display the veins, nerves and tendons. One of the larger jars contains an almost fully developed fetus. (if: not ((history:) contains "lookAtDrBook"))[[[Try to see what Doctor Sharavi is reading. ->lookAtDrBook]] ](if: not ((history:) contains "tryToStandUp"))[[["Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfast, Doctor Sharavi. I really must be going now." ->tryToStandUp]]](else:)[[["Thanks, but I really do need to go now. ->tryAgainToStandUp]]] [[Rest for a while. ->sleepAtDr]]

"So soon?" Doctor Sharavi is at once at your side, still smiling, though his disappointment is palpable. He gently presses you back into the chair. "Please, my dear. You are clearly exhausted still, and after all you've been through, who knows what dangers await you outside? Lie back and relax for a bit." [["Thanks, but I really need to go now."->tryAgainToStandUp]] (if: not ((history:) contains "lookAtDrBook"))[[[Try to see what Doctor Sharavi is reading. ->lookAtDrBook]] ](if: not ((history:) contains "lookAtDrRoom"))[[[Look around the room. ->lookAtDrRoom]] ][["Well... perhaps just for a little while." ->sleepAtDr]]

You lean back in the soft leather chair, feeling it mold itself to your body. How wonderful to stretch and loosen your aching muscles! Your fears drift away in the soothing warmth of the flames. You almost jump at a small sound, and your eyes fly open. Doctor Sharavi is gazing down at you, smiling. "I almost forgot," he murmurs, and flicks one of the levers on your chair. With a whisper of leather against iron, the bottom part of the chair folds smoothly upward to support your feet, even as the back reclines. "Here, rest for a while, my dear." The chair is too comfortable to resist, and you let your eyes close. Your last sight is Doctor Sharavi's kind green eyes gazing down at you with serene affection. [[Sleep.->wakeAtDr]]

Doctor Sharavi frowns. "I'm so terribly sorry, my dear, but I really must insist. You're in no shape to go prancing around the forest -- you'd get yourself eaten or chopped to bits in no time. And I require you intact. At least, to begin with." As he speaks, he flicks at one of the levers on your chair. Loops of soft leather spring from hidden compartments, neatly trapping your forearms and calves. You gasp and try to rise, but your movements feel sluggish, as if wading through honey, and the nets tighten around your limbs, firmly immobilising you. Doctor Sharavi looks on with satisfaction. "That's good. I wasn't sure it would be fast enough, since you're still awake. But it seems the glimmerwood is slowing you down, at least." You feel something moving beneath you. The chair is splitting in half. Soft upholstery slides away, revealing a smooth, hard bench. The arms and footrest slide sideways, pulling your wrists and ankles wide, until that you lie spreadeagled on the hard bench. Doctor Sharavi walks around the room, dropping a grey powder into the scattered lamps. Their light immediately flares to brilliant, cold blue-white, eclipsing the firelight. "I do apologise for the harsh lighting, my dear. It's not so pleasant, I know, but my work requires precision." [["Please, let me go! I'm the Crown Princess... I won't tell anyone about this, I'll get you a reward. Piles and piles of gold -- anything you ask!" ->tellDrPrincess]] [["Let me go, you bastard! I'm the Crown Princess, if you harm me, King Torveld will roast you over a slow fire." ->tellDrPrincess]] [["What's glimmerwood?" ->perrionLeaf]]

Cold, brilliant light blazes through your eyelids from directly above. Opening your eyes to the blue-white glare, you find you are lying spreadeagled on a flat, hard bench. When you try to move, you realise your wrists, neck and ankles are pinned by manacles of soft leather. Doctor Sharavi leans over you, holding a pair of small steel scissors. Seeing your eyelids flutter, he gives you a welcoming grin. "I'm glad to see you're back, my dear. Glimmerwood can be a little unpredictable. I must tell you, this is rather exciting for me. I have so many ideas for you! Of course, we don't know how long you'll be in any condition to appreciate them, but that's part of the fun now, isn't it?" He moves his hand lightly over your torso. The blades of the scissors gleam, reflecting the cold light, as he lowers them to touch your chest. [["Please, let me go! I'm the Crown Princess... I won't tell anyone about this, I'll get you a reward. Piles and piles of gold -- anything you ask! ->tellDrPrincess]] [["Let me go, you bastard! I'm the Crown Princess, if you harm me, King Torveld will roast you over a slow fire." ->tellDrPrincess]] [["What's glimmerwood?" ->perrionLeaf]] [[Scream. ->screamDr]]

Doctor Sharavi looks shaken by your words. You open your mouth to press your advantage, but he speaks first. "The Crown Princess? The Princess of *Thronheim*? Well... that does change things." He's walking around the room as he speaks, picking up a leather bag and a small stack of books, which he arranges neatly on a side table near your chair. Distractedly, he paces back and forth. A smile breaks over his face, then fades; his eyes grow narrow. "Tell me, my dear... if you don't mind... did you ever happen to, err, cut yourself as a child?" [["Of course I did, doesn't everyone? Now let me go!" ->yesCut]] [["That is no concern of yours!" ->yesCut]]

The Doctor's eyes light up with enthusiasm for his craft. "Ah, you are not familiar with glimmerwood sap? Did you notice the syrup flavor in the tea I gave you? That's glimmerwood. It's a most interesting compound, distilled from the sap of a sarcophytic fungus. A pinch induces feelings of trust and contentment, and dulls pain. Half a teaspoon will send you to sleep. More than that, well -- as with most such powerful compounds, too much is not recommended. And it is habit-forming, but in your case, we need not worry." He looks you over carefully. "Without the glimmerwood, I expect you'd be panicking, screaming and struggling right now. But as it is, you're able to listen to me quite calmly." He gives you a pleasant smile, then walks around the room to pick up a leather bag and a small stack of books, which he arranges neatly on a side table near your chair. [["You won't get away with this, you monster! My friends are coming to rescue me right now!" ->drGag]] [["Calm? You think I'm calm? Free me at once, or I'll remove your liver with a fruit-peeler!" ->drGag]] [["Please, let me go! I'm the Crown Princess... I won't tell anyone about this, I'll get you a reward. Piles and piles of gold -- anything you ask! ->tellDrPrincess]] [["Let me go, you bastard! I'm the Crown Princess, if you harm me, King Torveld will roast you over a slow fire." ->tellDrPrincess]]

Your yell echoes pointlessly around the small, windowless underground room. (display: "drGag")

Doctor Sharavi raises a finger. "Ah, that reminds me," he mutters, and takes a strip of leather from his bag. He binds it firmly around your mouth, muffling all further protests. He gazes at you speculatively, frowning at your expression. After rummaging further, he holds up a gleaming scalpel. "Pretty, isn't it? I do feel it's important to appreciate the quality of one's tools." He places the edge of the scalpel against your ribcage. It tickles coldly. "Exciting, isn't it? As much as I enjoy my little projects, there's something exquisite about the unlimited potential of the blank canvas. I'm not sure it isn't my favorite part of the process. But of course, a canvas that remains blank is no work of art at all." Playfully, he presses downward. You feel no pain, but a trickle of blood runs down your ribs. Doctor Sharavi notes your lack of reaction. He lifts the scalpel away. "Hmm. I suppose the glimmerwood is still affecting your pain perception. Extract of amaranth should reverse the effect." Though the Doctor's voice is still calm, you sense an undercurrent of agitation. He drops the scalpel impatiently; it lands near your left hand. Your manacles might give you just enough leeway to reach it. The doctor's gaze lingers on your chest with mild avarice. [[Grab the scalpel. ->grabScalpelTooSoon]] [[Wait. ->chooseWhip]]

You grab at the scalpel, but Doctor Sharavi is watching your every move. He quickly pulls it away and returns it to the large bag, far out of reach. "How careless of me to leave that lying around. Somebody could get hurt. Now, where were we, my dear? Ah, yes." (if: not ((history:) contains "chooseWhip"))[[[Wait. ->chooseWhip]] ](else:)[[[Wait. ->nodAtDr]]]

From a lower shelf, Doctor Sharavi takes a small jar that contains a paste of greyish leaves. He rubs the paste under your nose. It has a powerful astringent scent. You're suddenly wide awake, in fact, you feel more alive than ever. Colours seem abnormally bright, sounds seem louder, and every inch of your body is bursting with sensation. Doctor Sharavi rummages in his bag again, removing a syringe, several hooks and knives, and other curiously-shaped metal tools. He leans close and lightly strokes your face, gently moving your head from side to side. With your heightened senses, every pore seems to scream at the touch. (if: not ((history:) contains "grabScalpelTooSoon"))[[[Grab the scalpel. ->grabScalpelTooSoon]] ] [[Wait. ->nodAtDr]]

Dr. Sharavi sets about making toast and boiling a saucepan of porridge. He whistles softly between his teeth as he cooks, not following a tune, but making small flute-like comments, like a small bird. As you inhale the syrupy scent of the tea, your muscles loosen and your thoughts grow fuzzy. The room is astonishingly cosy and pleasant, considering it has no windows. Thinking of your good friend Doctor Sharavi, tears of gratitude prick your eyes. Have you ever experienced such kindness from a stranger? From anyone? The steam from the tea wafts around you, taking on mysterious, ephemeral forms that continually part and coalesce. It's a very beautiful pattern. You watch it dreamily. Your eyelids droop. The flames flicker. You realise that you are safe. Safer than you've ever been before. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. Doctor Sharavi takes your arm. Looking into his moss-green eyes, you know you can trust him completely. Gently, he leads you to the large, comfortable leather chair. He seems entirely relaxed and cheerful, and he hasn't even asked for your name. As you sip your tea, you wonder vaguely why this doesn't disturb you, but you're too exhausted to give the matter much thought. When he presents you with a bowl of steaming porridge, its surface thick with brown sugar and wafting the scent of cinnamon and raisons, you can't resist devouring it. While you eat, he's browning slices of bread above the flames, and slathering them in butter. You catch him glancing your way now and then, but he looks away at once. When your belly is full, your eyes start to close. It's only natural. You're warm and safe here with your dear friend Doctor Sharavi. He curls up in his old armchair, seeming to meld into its well-worn curves as smoothly as a cat. You expect him to start a conversation, but instead, he picks a large volume from the bookshelf and begins to read. [[Try to see what he's reading. ->lookAtDrBook]] [[Look around the room. ->lookAtDrRoom]] [["Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfast, Doctor Sharavi. I really must be going now." ->tryToStandUp]] [[Rest for a while. ->sleepAtDr]]

Doctor Sharavi chuckles warmly. "My poor, dear girl. I can see you've had a horrible time recently. It must be hard, never knowing whom to trust. But don't you think you're being a little absurd? It's only a cup of tea." You shake your head mutely. He holds the cup beneath your nose. "Smell the aroma for yourself." You gaze down into the swirling steam. As you inhale the sugary scent, you're suddenly conscious of how ridiculous -- not to mention rude -- your resistance must seem to the Doctor. You came bursting into his home, a complete stranger, and he has shown you nothing but kindness and hospitality. And when you look into his mossy eyes across the twining shaft of steam, you feel instinctively that you can trust him completely. Still... [["How many times must I tell you, I don't *want* your tea! Do you not understand the notion of consent?" ->runAwayTea]] [["Thank you. You're right, of course -- I'm sorry for being so mistrustful." ->drinkTeaStanding]]

Doctor Sharavi shakes his head, drawing back with an affronted expression. "My goodness, you *are* a feisty one. I suppose I should have been more liberal with the glimmerwood." You notice one hand move toward his belt. You start to draw away, but he's quicker than you ever imagined. A flash of metal in his hand; a beesting in your thigh, the world whirls, your thoughts dissolve. There are no bees underground. He's looking down at you, smiling, as you fall and fall and fall. [[Wake up.->wakeAtDr]]

(set: $gotScalpel to 1)You snag the scalpel with your little finger and conceal it beneath your hand. The Doctor is still distracted, and you manage to hook the blade beneath your wrist. Moving your wrist a few millimeters back and forth, you saw at the manacle. It's extraordinarily sharp; despite the awkward angle and lack of leverage, you feel the leather begin to part. (display: "waitForDrAgain")

Doctor Sharavi lifts from the box a large, jagged-toothed saw and places it beside him. Then he pauses, looking at you thoughtfully. "The question, now, is where to begin? We could start by opening the abdomen, for example, in order to examine the viscera and associated neural ganglia in a functional state. Alternatively, we might deconstruct one of the extremities. I've heard some fascinating accounts of motor responses to electical stimulation from direct stimulation of the nerves. And there is, of course, a third exciting possibility." He moves closer to you, and tenderly strokes your hair as he gazes into your eyes. Then he starts to massage the back of your skull. "My most recent experiments have involved partial excision of the upper cranium, thus enabling direct electrostimulation of the temporal lobes. But I have only had the chance to try this upon experimental animals, who are sadly unable to report their experiences." His hand trembles as he traces a line around the back of your head. He picks up a razor, and lifts a handful of your hair with an expression of distaste. "First, we must tidy *this* away. Otherwise I won't be able to see where to cut, will I?" He leans over you, stretching such that he's off-balance, and his abdomen is just inches above your right hand. (if: $gotScalpel is 1)[You've sawn through the leather there almost entirely; one quick jerk will free your hand. [[Attack with the scalpel.->strikeBelly]] [[Wait.->bellChime]]](else:)[[[Wait.->bellChime]]]

You angle the scalpel toward the Doctor's abdomen. With him looming over you, you can't get more than a glimpse of where you're aiming, and you don't have time for finesse. (set: $fightStat to $fightStat + 10) You slam the scalpel upwards, intending to hit somewhere around his right kidney. But the tug of the leather distorts your aim, and your blow falls lower than you intend, slicing through his thin pants to the turgid organ behind. Doctor Sharavi screams like an animal, stumbling backwards, and you hear the razor clatter to the floor. Warmth gushes across your hand. With the scalpel in your free hand, you slash away your bonds. Doctor Sharavi is bent over, moaning in shock as he clutches his mangled parts in a pool of blood. Evidently he isn't used to his experiments fighting back. You press forward, hoping to finish him before he realizes his danger. As you approach, he looks up and cowers from you. "Stop! Please, don't hurt me! My lady... please, have mercy..." He grovels on the floor, peering up at you with huge eyes watering in terror. [[Kill him. ->killDr]] [[Show mercy. ->releaseDr]]

You hear the chiming of a deep-toned bell. Doctor Sharavi sets aside the razor. "So many interruptions! Excuse me, my dear, this won't take a moment." He stands hidden by the doorframe with a syringe in hand. The clatter of boots echoes on the long staircase outside, growing louder. Someone hammers at the door. "Open up!" A shock of familiarity runs through you. You'd know that voice anywhere! The door bursts open, and you try to yell a warning, but the gag allows no more than a low moan. Stooping under the low doorway, Rain darts into the room and puts his back to the wall, sword leveled. Prince bounds in behind him; seeing the Doctor, his hackles rise and a snarl rumbles behind his fangs. Rain advances on the Doctor, shouting: "On the floor, knave!" You shake your head desperately, fearing treachery. But Rain's attention is only on the Doctor, who drops to his knees. Rain watches him, lips pulled back in distaste. "Where is the Princess Seline?" he demands. "She's r...right there, noble sir!" The Doctor sounds terrified as he points to the table. "She was... err, wounded, and in need of, umm, medical attention. Let me show you..." Rain follows him to the table, sword ready. His eyes blaze as he sees you. "What have you done to her?" The Doctor shrinks at the fury in his tone. "Her mind is confused, noble sir, she seemed to think the treatment would harm her, so I was obliged to use restraints." He reaches up as if to show Rain something. You try to warn Rain with the small head movements you can manage, and he starts to frown just as the Doctor's hand touches his shoulder. Something flashes in that hand; a movement quick as a praying mantis. In the same moment, Rain looks around. His eyes widen, and his sword slashes downward. Hand and syringe tumble to the ground, showering blood. The Doctor screams, waving the spurting stump of his forearm in disbelief. Rain slumps to the ground, the syringe dangling from his arm. [[Continue ->dogKillsDr]]

You don't give yourself time to think. Using two hands, you slam the scalpel down on the bowed neck before you with all the force you can muster. As the razor-sharp edge slices between the vertebrae, the Doctor's body convulses and the head lolls sideways, still attached. His face stares up at you, the mouth moving in an agonized grimace. (set: $fightStat to $fightStat + 10) This time, you aim for the artery that pulses in his exposed throat. Your second blow is as forceful as the first, ripping through the soft flesh like butter to shatter the windpipe. Blood spurts upwards, showering your face and arms, and you're momentarily blinded. When you wipe it away, you see Doctor Sharavi lying in a pool of blood, limbs splayed. Your heart hammers. You're panting for breath; it feels like there's no air in the tiny underground room. The floor seems to rock beneath your feet, and you clutch at the table to steady yourself, but it's not where it should be. That's when you notice the syringe dangling from your calf. You fall. [[Wake up. ->wake]]

"Don't move!" you shout. "I'll let you live, but only because I refuse to sink to your level." Doctor Sharavi writhes closer to your feet. Bloodshot green eyes stare up at you as he grips your calf with wet hands. "Please, have mercy..." he croaks. You shake him off. He wobbles and nearly tumbles sideways, steadying himself with one hand on the floor. You glimpse a flash of metal in his hand as he recovers his balance and reaches for you again. [[Kill him. ->killDr]] [[Let him live. ->drKills]]

Doctor Sharavi turns to you. "Now," he says, his voice shaking, "I do regret it, but I'm afraid our experiment will have to come to a rather abru --" The Doctor collapses like a folding umbrella under the flying weight of the russet dog. The animal lowers its muzzle to his throat, teeth bared. You hear a sickening wet crunch, and the beast raises its dripping face from the form convulsing beneath it. It looks at you, head cocked and long ears perked. "Umm, goo' 'og," you mumble uneasily through the gag, wondering if you will be next. But the dog only gives the Doctor's death throes a cursory glance, then runs to Rain's unconscious form and tugs the syringe away in its jaws. It puts it on the table near you and stares at you with its head on one side. You shrug, as best you can can. You don't know what's in the syringe. But when it shoves the syringe against you, the syprup-tinged scent is familiar. You jerk your chin toward the shelf where the antidote sits. The dog stands on its hind legs and picks up the jar carefully in its jaws, then trots to Rain's side. It puts the jar between its forepaws and wraps its jaws around the lid, but its teeth keep sliding on the smooth metal; it cannot get a grip. There is something very peculiar about this dog. It lies down and gives a frustrated bark. Then it looks around at you, jumps to its feet. It sticks its nose into the Doctor's bag and delicately extracts a small saw, which it deposits by your hand. Gratefully, you hack through your bonds and sit up, groaning. "Thank you," you tell the dog, rubbing your aching wrists. The dog runs to Rain and nudges his body with its nose, whining. Then it picks up the jar and puts it by your hand. [[Wake up Rain. ->wakeRain]]

You unscrew the lid of the jar and rub the paste gently upon Rain's upper lip. The dog sneezes at the scent. Rain's eyelids flicker. His body convulses and he leaps to his feet with an incoherent shout. He whirls, striking out at nothing with fists and boots. You back to the other side of the room. At last he slows, breathing heavily and staring wild-eyed around the room. Rain's chest heaves as you approach him. He stares at you, but his eyes show no flicker of recognition. As you get close, he tenses like an animal. Then he blinks. "S... Seline?" His expression softens. He frowns, taking in the blood-spattered room and Dr. Sharavi's corpse. The body looks shrunken, like a dead spider. "Wh.. what just happened?" [["He stuck you with a needle, right before Prince tore his throat out. How are you feeling?" ->howFeeling]] [["Don't worry about it. You're okay, and that's all that matters." ->rainOkay]]

A slobbery tongue slaps your cheek. As you open your eyes, you meet the large, honey-gold ones of the russet hound, who is enthusiastically washing your face. You sit up. Rain, behind him, grabs your hand. "Seline!" He looks more relieved than you've ever seen him. "That was the longest ten minutes of my life. I feared that monster had poisoned you! Is all that blood his?" You nod, weakly. Indeed, there's blood everywhere. Your dress is half-drenched. Even the shelves on the far side of the room are spattered. On the floor lies Dr. Sharavi, face down in a puddle of blood. You shudder. He looks shrunken, like a dead spider. A wave of nausea washes over you. You wrap your arms around the reddish-brown dog, leaning on his warm bulk. His fur is short and silky, rippling with silken sheen in the blue-white light. The animal raises his wet, whiskery nose to gently lick your cheek again. Rain looks at you, his brow wrinkled with concern. "Are you well enough to move? Maybe we should rest here a while." You shake your head, shuddering. Despite your nausea, you feel wide awake, and as you look around the small room, fearful memories flash vivid as electric shocks. There's no way you can rest in this room. Rain fondles the dog's drooping ears. "It's the strangest thing. This dog helped me escape from Nyora, and led me here. (if: ((history:) contains "drKills"))[He saved you from that monster. ]And then... I can hardly believe it, but he showed me the remedy for the drug that knocked you out!" Prince whines softly, and holds out a paw, the very picture of a well-behaved hound. [["Sounds like he saved both of our lives. Now, let's get out of here!" ->getOutOfTunnels2]] [["Yeah, he's a *very* strange dog." ->strangeDog]]

Doctor Sharavi throws his arms around your leg, still staring up at you with those manic green eyes, but now he's grinning. Your thigh twinges in the moment he releases you. You look down. A syringe hangs there, its needle sunk deep between two bloody handprints. Your legs buckle. You slide bonelessly to the blood-slicked floorboards, and your head slams the ground in a burst of black stars. Doctor Sharavi lifts your head onto his lap and pulls back your hair sharply to expose your throat. "I'm so sorry we shan't be able to continue our experiment," he mutters. "But don't worry, my dear, I have some excellent uses in mind for your corpse." Someone hammers at the door. "Open in the name of the King!" Doctor Sharavi hesitates, glancing at the door. It shudders. It bursts open. The russet dog bounds inside and hurtles at you, jaws wide, barking viciously. The doctor stumbles back, releasing you, but the hound bowls you both over. The impact makes you reel. Small sparks seem to glimmer in the air, and the room undulates. As you sink to the floor, you see the dog straddling Sharavi's body, fangs extended over his neck. Your sight fades. The last thing you hear is Sharavi's screams cut off by the sickening crunch of teeth upon cartilage. [[Wake up. ->wake]]

The Doctor gives you a warm smile. "Excuse me, my dear. Just let me fetch a few more tools." He turns his back to lift a large box from one of the shelves. (if: not ((history:) contains "grabScalpelTooSoon"))[[[Grab the scalpel. ->grabScalpel]] ] [[Wait. ->waitForDr]]

Doctor Sharavi retrieves a large box from the shelf, which he puts the box upon the floor nearby. "One moment, dear. I seem to have misplaced my large bone saw." He bends over it, rummaging. [[Wait. ->waitForDrAgain]] (if: not ((history:) contains "grabScalpelTooSoon" or (history:) contains "grabScalpel"))[ [[Grab the scalpel. ->grabScalpel]] ]

He flushes beneath the bruises. "(if: $triedPush is 1)[You shouldn't have pushed her! ]I was trying to get her off guard. You see, I thought we'd --" (display: "guardBarks")

Rain nods(if: $rainpersuaded is 0)[, though you sense doubt in his eyes]. "You're right. But what can we do? These ropes are tight, and Nyora's not going to take any risks now. Even if I were free and in good health, I could take on four men at most." You bite your lip. As you consider your situation, the bushes nearby quiver. The russet dog bursts out in a shower of leaves, wagging its tail furiously. To your surprise, it makes no attempt to lick your mouth, instead briefly nudging your cheek with its wet nose before turning its attention to Rain. It sits on its haunches in front of him and stares at him, sending mulch flying with its rapid-sweeping tail. "Hi, dog," says Rain, looking puzzled. "Seline, what's with this animal? Is he Nyora's?" The dog gives a small, exasperated woof. Then it sighs and paws at its golden collar, eyes still fixed upon Rain's face. [["No, he belongs to Andreas, but for some reason he follows me everywhere." ->noAndreasDog]] [["No, Kiaru gave him to Andreas, and now he follows me around. No idea why." ->noKiaruDog]]

"Oh, okay." Rain frowns. "It's strange. I could swear I've seen that collar somewhere before." (display: "dogHelps")

"Kiaru? Who's Kiaru?" [["Just a weird friend of Andreas and Nyora." ->noAndreasDog]] [["Well, he's a bard. But somehow I think he's more than that. He taught Andreas and Nyora from the time they were kids, but they say he hasn't changed a bit. And he seems scarily good at manipulating people..." ->kiaruStrange]]

"Totally." Through the dark, you sense Rain's smile. But his tone is plaintive as he continues: "Seline, can you *please* tell me what's going on? I know Nyora's an outlaw, but what's she trying to achieve? She must know Torveld will destroy her if she harms you!" (set: $data's charm to it + 1) [["She's trying to start a war between Thronheim and Saragai." ->explainToRain]] [["I'll tell you everything later. Promise. But right now, we've got to make a plan." ->plan]]

Rain frowns. "A war? They hardly need the excuse; had your father executed me, Saragai would have invaded anyway." He hesitates. "She seemed to dislike you... personally." [["Yeah, well, she's Andreas's ex-girlfriend, and he kind of sided with me against her." ->andreas]] [["Personality clash? Look, we can talk about this later. Right now, we need a plan." ->plan]]

His voice is very soft. "Seline, I'm sorry. When I was riding after you... and all that time in Raddibore's dungeon... all I could think about was that stupid fight we had. I must have replayed it dozens of times. Chewing on it and chewing on it. The things I said... Seline, I was wrong. You didn't deserve that."(set: $data's apologyR to 1) (set: $data's likesR to it + 3) [["Rain, it's okay. You didn't deserve the way I treated you, either. We were both just mad, and scared, and I'm sorry too." ->apologiseToo]] [["No, actually, I think I did deserve it. I've been thinking too. You were right. What I did was unforgivably naive and stupid, and your life was nearly forfeit. I am sorry, Rain. Everything you said that night was true." ->everythingTrue]] [["I know, Rain. It's okay. We're different people, we're not always going to agree. But I *am* going to be Queen. So I need to know you will always respect my choices." ->respectMe]]

"I know. You don't have to apologise. Yes, you made mistakes, but your heart was always in the right place. And mine wasn't. I was scared, and I lashed out at you, playing on your insecurities to hurt you. I don't forgive myself for that." (set: $data's likesR to it + 3)(set: $data's charm to it + 1) Rain hesitates. [[Wait for him to speak. ->meetRainSeline]] [["Rain, it's okay. What's done is done; let's not dwell on the past. We have to find a way to escape!" ->plan]]

Rain shakes his head furiously. "No, Seline. It wasn't! Please, you mustn't think that -- I'll never forgive myself if you do. You're..." (set: $data's likesR to it + 3) Rain hesitates. (set: $data's charm to it + 1) [[Wait for him to speak. ->meetRainSeline]] [["Rain, it's okay. I made mistakes, and I'm owning them. That's all. Now, we have to make a plan!" ->plan]]

Rain flinches. "Respect your choices? Of course I do! Seline, that's one of the things -- yes, I'm not like you. I'm concerned with other people's judgements. Maybe too concerned. Maybe I'm boring." Rain hesitates. [[Wait for him to speak. ->meetRainSeline]] [["So, the guy who rescues me from kidnappers and giant snakes thinks he's too boring? You're definitely not boring, but you can be very *silly* at times. Anyway, this is no time to be navel-gazing. We must plan our escape!" ->plan]]

You wait, sensing he's collecting his thoughts. (set: $data's likesR to it + 5) "Do you remember the day we met? They brought me into the Throne Room, and your father was sitting there, glaring down at me. He looked as old as time, and his voice boomed when he asked my uncle how this filthy foreign cockroach had escaped the kitchen traps." You wince. It's true. Somehow, your memory had reduced those words to a rough joke; now you feel the devastation they must have wrought upon a lonely child thrown into a foreign world. How could you ever have respected the man who treated an innocent boy with such crude contempt? Rain continues: "I didn't know what to do. But when I looked up, you were there -- in the gallery above. And you winked at me. You had a little mirror, which you angled to catch the sun and shine it in your father's eyes. He kept squinting and frowning, but with all the diplomats present in the room, he couldn't very well stop and scold you." You barely recall that prank; it was one of many you'd used to leaven the tedium of courtly life as a child. Eventually, the King assigned you a permanent chaperone, and your later games centered around eluding her. "Can you understand what it meant to me? To see you stand up to the great King Torveld? To mock him? I couldn't imagine having that kind of courage, Seline... from that moment on, you were my idol." [["Rain, you were willing to die to save me. You'll never convince me that courage is something you lack." ->courage]] [["You were my idol too, Rain. You always did what was right, no matter how difficult. You made me a better person, and when nobody else was there for me, you were." ->betterPerson]]

Rain sighs. "Dying doesn't take courage, Seline. It's living that requires that. Isn't that what you told me? And you were right." (set: $data's charm to it + 1) [["Speaking of not dying, shouldn't we be making a plan for that?"->plan]]

Rain sighs. "Thanks for saying that, Seline. But I didn't do the right thing the other day. You're my best friend, and I treated you like dirt." (set: $data's charm to it + 1) [["How about we debate which of us behaved worse after we figure out how we're going to escape Nyora's clutches?"->plan]]

Rain frowns. "Well, bards are like that. They know how to play on people's emotions." [["It went beyond that. If you met him, you'd see what I mean. Anyway, this is no time to argue about it." ->kiaruSupernatural]] [["True." ->overwrought]]

Rain shakes his head. "I know you've been through a lot, Seline. But try to keep a grip on reality, okay?" [["You're right, I guess I *was* just overwrought and imagining stuff." ->overwrought]] [["You wouldn't say that if you'd seen what I saw, Rain." ->dismissSeline]]

Rain nods. "Don't worry about it. We'll make it home soon, and then we can put all this behind us. We just need to figure out how we're going to achieve that."(set: $data's charm to it + 1) He frowns, still gazing at the russet dog. "It's strange. I could swear I've seen that collar somewhere before." (display: "dogHelps")

"Well, I'm sorry, Seline. I don't mean to seem dismissive, but you know I don't believe in that stuff. Some people are amazingly good at manipulating others, but that doesn't mean they have magical powers. So tell me, what evidence do you have that this guy was *actually* controlling people's minds?" You hesitate. Your instincts at the time felt certain, but how to explain it to Rain? And why are you letting yourself get drawn into an argument anyway, when you should be trying to escape? [["Well... when he's around, people seem to just agree with whatever he wants, even if they were against it before. It's not just that he's persuasive... the rhythm of the interaction feels off. People act like puppets, and they don't even realise it. It's creepy." ->creepyKiaru]] [["Ah, never mind. You had to be there." ->overwrought]]

"That sounds like a typical bard to me. Anyway, we can argue about this after we've escaped." (set: $data's will to it + 1) He frowns, still gazing at the russet dog. "It's strange. I could swear I've seen that collar somewhere before." (display: "dogHelps")

(if: $data's likesN > 6)[Rain touches your arm, silently gesturing with his chin. You look up, and freeze. One of the blanketed shapes is stirring; you glimpse a tousled blonde head. Nyora slithers out of her bedroll and creeps toward you, holding a knife in one hand. With the other, she raises a finger to her lips. A day ago, you'd have assumed she intended to pass the time with some casual mutilation. (if: $data's sedN is 1)[But now, remembering what passed between you in the serpent's cavern, you're not so sure.](else:)[But since the episode with the serpent her malice seems to have faded - somewhat, at least.] [[Yell for help. ->yellHelpNyora]] [[Stay quiet. ->quietNyora]]](else:)[(display: "dogRescue")]

At your shout, the camp breaks into an uproar. Nyora's knife vanishes; she rubs her eyes, as if woken up along with everyone else. The outlaws search the camp; finding nothing amiss, they return grumbling to bed, not without giving you some dark looks. Soon, they begin to snore again. (display: "dogRescue")

In silence, Nyora slides the blade between your ropes. They fall aside with a snicking sound, loud in the pre-dawn stillness. (set: $data's freedByN to 1) You rub your wrists, staring at her. Is this another trap? Perhaps she is toying with you once more. Her voice is a sibilant hiss, cold as a serpent's caress. "Thus the debt is paid, princess. Go swiftly, now, for when my men wake I hunt again." She turns her back on you and huddles in her blankets. Hastily, you pick at the knots around Rain's hands. Your fingers are stiff and aching, and you can't help fumbling. At last he's free. (display: "runAwayWithRain")

Rain snorts. But Prince listens attentively, head cocked. Then he trots up and sniffs delicately at the ropes binding your wrists. Rain frowns. "What the--?" Prince wraps his canines around the ropes and gives an experimental tug. They do not give. He looks at them again, head cocked. Then he sets his teeth sidelong and begans to gnaw methodically at the bindings. One by one, the strands yield. It's achingly slow; you watch Nyora toss and turn in her furs, as one by one stars fade and the sky greys to dawn. All at once, the rope parts. You drag your numb wrists through the lax loops, cast the fragments aside and start to pick at the knots around Rain's hands. Your fingers are stiff and aching, and you can't help fumbling. At last he's free; Rain gives you a quick, heartstopping smile. "I can't believe that worked!" [["Me neither!" ->runAwayWithRain]] [["Now you mention it, Prince *is* kind of unusual." ->unusualPrince]]

Hand in hand, you creep away from the encampment, with the russet dog padding silently at your heels. (display: "ch9")

Rain stares at the dog with the expression of a man who knows he has forgotten something important, but cannot for the life of him recall what, or why it matters. At last he shrugs. "Well, it would be ungrateful to repay the miracle mutt by getting ourselves caught again. Let's go!" (display: "runAwayWithRain")

"Oh, yes. It's all going to plan." Rain sighs. "Seline, I think --" (display: "guardBarks")

"Oh, yes. We're doing splendidly." Rain sighs. "Seline, I think --" (display: "guardBarks")

But one of your guards barks: "Silence!" So you never find out what Rain thought. Instead, you concentrate on your own plans. Your hands are tightly bound, and your captors alert; failing another wolf attack, it seems unlikely you'll find an opportunity to escape until you make camp. The night ride lasts for many hours; by the time Nyora calls a halt, the moon has set and the stars begun to fade. She leads the horses off the path, deep into the undergrowth, until you come to a clearing. "We'll rest here until sunset," she tells her men. "The Forest has protected us thus far, but soon we must join the highway for some leagues. I'll not risk it in daylight." "Let's eat," agrees a burly outlaw. "But no fire. We're too near the road." They tie you and Rain sitting against a tree; though the leaf-mold is cool and damp, it's far more comfortable than horseback. They even untie your hands long enough to consume a flask of water and some dry bread. Your captors share a quiet cask of ale, but there is no merrymaking; you sense they are both exhausted and uneasy. Soon, they roll themselves in blankets and settle upon the dew-sodden grass. A sentry leans against a nearby tree. After several false landings followed by rapid ascents, his chin firmly docks upon his chest, and he begins to snore. All is still. Rain's eyes are half-closed, but when you nudge him, he is instantly alert. You dare not speak above a whisper. [["Isn't this romantic?" ->romantic]] [["We've got to make a plan." ->questionsRain]]

Rain frowns. "Yes, I know. But first, can you please tell me what's going on? I know Nyora's an outlaw, but what's she trying to achieve? She must know Torveld will destroy her if she harms you!" [["She's an outlaw. And she's trying to start a war between Thronheim and Saragai." ->explainToRain]] [["I'll tell you everything later. Promise. But right now, we've got to find a way to escape." ->plan]]

You bite your lip. As you consider how to reply, the bushes nearby quiver. The russet dog bursts out in a shower of leaves, wagging its tail furiously. To your surprise, it makes no attempt to lick your mouth, instead briefly nudging your cheek with its wet nose before turning its attention to Rain. It sits on its haunches in front of him and stares at him, sending mulch flying with its rapid-sweeping tail. "Hi, dog," says Rain, looking baffled. "Umm, Seline, do you know this animal? Is he Nyora's?" The dog gives a small, exasperated woof. Then it sighs and paws at its golden collar, eyes still fixed upon Rain's face. [["No, he belongs to Andreas, but for some reason he follows me everywhere." ->noAndreasDog]] [["No, Kiaru gave him to Andreas, and now he follows me around. No idea why." ->noKiaruDog]]

The dog stands and stretches, back arched, then lowers its front end in a bow. You flex your wrists wearily. [["Here, Prince. Goo' boy! Would you mind chewing through these ropes?" ->chewThrough]] [["Here, Prince. Goo' boy! Go find Andreas!" ->chewThrough]]

He looks at his hands. "Seline, I know you. And I saw the way you looked at him. Are you *absolutely* sure you're being objective about this?" (set: $data's likesA to it + 1) [["Honestly? Of course not. But it's still my best judgement." ->honestThanks]] [["What do you mean, the way I looked at him? I was relieved to see him because there's no way we could escape that dungeon without his help! That's all!" ->denyAttracted]]

"Well..." he hesitates. "What if they planned to sell us both to the Sorcerer? He needed your help to find me." (set: $data's persuade to it + 1) You bite your lip. Is it possible? You shiver, seeing again the merciless fire flicker in those dark eyes, the moment before Andreas pinned you down and drugged you. He had *enjoyed* that moment. How could you ever trust him? (if: $data's likesA > 2)[But then you recall other moments. In his tent, in the woods. He'd looked at you with anguish, a strangely tortured tenderness(if: $data's apromise is 1)[, as he promised you his service]. Could those moments have been insincere? ](else:)[Still... he turned against Nyora for you. And he hasn't betrayed you yet. Has he?] [["I... I hadn't thought about it that way. Maybe I've been naive." ->naiveTrustAndreas]] [["I trust him, Rain. I know he looks rough, but my instincts on this are sure." ->trustAndreas]]

He nods, and his frown clears away. "Well, in any case, I'd probably be dead by now if you hadn't worked with Andreas. So, thank you!" He hesitates. "Seline, there's something I need to tell you." Your heart clenches. [["What is it?" ->whatRain]] [["Don't, Rain. We'll have all the time in the world to talk, once this is over. Let's focus on getting ourselves out of here." ->plan]]

(if: $rainpersuaded is 0)["Thank you for being honest with me." The phrasing is oddly formal: you sense he's holding back very different words. For a few moments, he says nothing more, avoiding your eyes. Then, with feigned casualness,](else:)["Well, there are worse things than being naive." With a tired half-smile,] he adds: "In any case, I'd probably be dead by now if you hadn't worked with Andreas. So, thank you!" (set: $data's likesA to it + 1)(set: $data's charm to it + 1) He hesitates again. "Seline, there's something else I need to tell you." Your heart clenches. [["What is it?" ->whatRain]] [["Don't, Rain. We'll have all the time in the world to talk, once this is over. Let's focus on getting ourselves out of here." ->plan]]

(display: "dice")(set: $data's deceive to it + 3) (if: $success is true)[He stares at you for a long time. At last he lowers his gaze. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have implied - I know you wouldn't. You're not that foolish. I let my imagination get away from me." (set: $data's likesR to it + 3)(set: $rainpersuaded to 1) [["Well, you're not entirely wrong. Maybe I was naive for trusting him. Thanks for making me think it through." ->honestThanks]] [["Indeed. Now, we have to make a plan!" ->plan]]](else:)[He stares at you. "You're a good liar, Seline. But I know you. And I know what I saw. I'm not saying you're in love with him -- I know you're not *that* foolish -- but there's something about him that fascinates you. And when you're like that, well, it wouldn't be the first time you let your curiosity override your good sense." (set: $data's likesR to it + 1)(set: $data's deceive to it + 1) [["Okay. You got me. Maybe I have been naive. Thanks for making me think it through." ->honestThanks]] [["It seems we'll just have to agree to disagree about this, Rain. Now, we have to make a plan!" ->plan]]]

"Like a donkey kicked me in the guts. Ugh." He puts his head in his hands. [["How did you find me?" ->howFindMe]] [["I know you don't feel well, but we'd better get out of here. Who knows what else lives in these tunnels?" ->getOutOfTunnels2]]

He nods, shakily. He looks as if he's about to be sick. [["How did you find me?" ->howFindMe]] [["I know you don't feel well, but we'd better get out of here. Who knows what else lives in these tunnels?" ->getOutOfTunnels2]]

Rain fondles the dog's drooping ears. "It's the strangest thing. This dog helped me escape from Nyora, and led me here." [["Yeah, and he brought me the remedy for that drug the Doctor used to knock you out." ->dogShowedRemedy]] [["Sounds like he saved both of our lives. Let's get out of here!" ->getOutOfTunnels2]]

Rain stares at you. "Are you sure? I mean, finding lost people isn't that unusual for a dog. But practicing medicine?" [["I know what I saw, Rain!" ->knowWhatSaw]] [["I guess you're right. Probably some after-effect of the drug that awful guy dosed me with." ->delusional]]

Rain shakes his head. "Seline, you've had a rough time lately. Let's talk about this more once we're away from here, and rested." (display: "leaveSharavi")

Rain nods. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Let's get out of here!" (display: "leaveSharavi")

------- (display: "skills") <script>window.StrayHeirs.createChapter(9)</script>(print: "<a href=\"ch9.html\">Chapter 9</a>")

Wearily, you climb back up the endless-seeming stairs and out through the little door. It's pitch black in the lava tube; you cannot see your hand before your face. Rain grips your hand tightly; neither of you speaks. As quietly as you try to walk, you cannot silence the rubble beneath your feet. But you hear nothing else. At last the blackness in the distance starts to fade toward greyish-green, with a silvery gleam upon the bubbled surface of the lava. Soon you are standing in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. A rough-hewn staircase leads upward in the rock. Looking around, you notice that the russet dog is no longer with you. He was behind you a minute ago, you're certain. You shrug. Maybe he ran ahead in the dark; you couldn't blame him for being impatient to be out of here. Above you, the pit's opening glimmers, a bowl of stars in midnight blue. Your heart lifts. You stand a moment, gazing up into the night's brilliance. Then, hand in hand, you dash toward the stairs. (display: "incautiousWithRain")

Rain frowns. "I doubt there's anything worse than that dead guy down here. Seline, can you please tell me what's going on? Who was he, and what was he doing to you? And while we're at it, who is Nyora, and why does she want to kill us?" [["Doctor Sharavi? He was some kind of crazy sadistic scientist. As for Nyora... it's complicated. But really, I think we should get out of here." ->leave2]] [["I'll tell you everything later. Promise. But right now, we've got to get away from here. Nyora could be on your trail right now, and if she comes in here, we'll be trapped." ->leave2]]

Rain nods, still staring distractedly at the russet dog. "Evidently..." Then he shrugs. "Anyway, if you're truly well enough, we should get away before Nyora tracks us down here." (display: "leaveSharavi")

Rain nods, still staring distractedly at the russet dog. "I guess you're right." (display: "leaveSharavi")

She frowns. "It ends, princess, because it *can* end. Do you think I'd tie myself to a pathetic fool like you if I had a choice?" (set: $data's likesN to it + 2) [["I saved your life back there, remember? And Rain also... If you have any sense of honor, you will not repay us with murder." ->notMurder]] [["Even I can see you don't believe that, Nyora. You feel it too, don't you? Back there, we had the beginnings of trust. Just a trace... but it's enough to build upon. Why not let yourself imagine it? Think of the things we could achieve together." ->achieveTogether]](if: $data's sedN is 1)[ [["So... you're saying yesterday didn't mean anything to you?" ->didntMeanAnything]]]

She exhales sharply. "You dare speak of trust between us, princess?" (set: $data's likesN to it + 2)(set: $difficulty to (10-$data's likesN/4))(set: $skill_name to "Charm") (if: $data's apromise is 1)[[[(display: "makeDice"): "Stranger things have happened. Andreas swore himself to my service, after all. But I would never ask that of *you*, Nyora. I know you could never be less than my equal. You have the wild strength that draws men's loyalty like flame. We both want to overturn the old order, to rebirth this nation for a new beginning. Who could withstand us if we stood united against my father?" ->forgettingSorcerer]]](else:)[[[(display: "makeDice"): "Stranger things have happened. Andreas serves me willingly, now. But I would never ask that of *you*, Nyora. I know you could never be less than my equal. You have the wild strength that draws men's loyalty like flame. We both want to overturn the old order, to rebirth this nation for a new beginning. Who could withstand us if we stood united against my father?" ->forgettingSorcerer]]] [["Why not? I saved your life back there, remember? If you have any sense of honor, you will not repay me with murder." ->notMurder]]

He falls silent. Then he sighs. "Andreas. The kidnapper." You nod. "Are you sure he's on our side? What if he and Nyora are working together?" [["I trust him, Rain. I know he looks rough, but my instincts on this are sure." ->trustAndreas]] [["If he's not on our side, why did he help me rescue you?" ->whyHelp]]

He giggles nervously. "Well, yes, of course you did. Quite right. But did it ever happen that you, err, might have accidentally - I don't know how to put this, my dear - that someone might have, well... consumed the exudate of such an accident? Even a trace? Perhaps your Nurse or your mother, kissing the wound better?" (set: $data's vampBook to 1) He selects a book from the shelf. It's *Case Studies in Infectious Haematophagy III: Asymptomatic Carriers in the Royal Line?* Hastily he flips through the pages, beady eyes flicking back and forth between you and the book. [["Nurse wouldn't do that. She said it was unsanitary. And my mother died when I was small." ->unsanitary]] [["You won't get away with this, you monster! My friends are coming to rescue me right now!" ->drGag]] [["You have no idea who you're dealing with, you pathetic little coward. Free me at once, or I'll remove your liver with a fruit-peeler!" ->drGag]]

"Ah, yes, quite. I always wondered about your mother..." Dr Sharavi's green eyes glint as he eyes you sidelong. "So you're quite sure nobody has ever... yes, this is quite the opportunity." He lifts a large, empty glass bottle from the lowest shelf, and places it next to you. Next, he selects a roll of rubbery tubing. His hands are shaking, and he's humming to himself exuberantly. [["You won't get away with this, you monster! My friends are coming to rescue me right now!" ->drGag]] [["You have no idea who you're dealing with, you pathetic little coward. Free me at once, or I'll remove your liver with a fruit-peeler!" ->drGag]]

"Tie them." Nyora's blue eyes sparkle with avid pleasure. The men leap to do her bidding. One of the men loops a rope tightly around your wrists. Seeing your grimace, he gives the other end a sharp tug. "Heel, princess," says Nyora. Reluctantly, you follow your captors. At last, far ahead, you glimpse a wavering greyness in the air. The grey separates into woodland shades, and soon you stand in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. Wearily, you let the man lead you up a rough-hewn staircase in the rock. [[You emerge into the forest. ->emergence]]

(display: "dice")(set: $data's fight to it + 3) (if: $success is true)[As you move, something flashes at the corner of your eye. Instinctively, you dodge, and your attacker's fist flies past. Turning, you see that he's off-balance, and slash at him without thinking. He's unarmored, and his coarse tunic offers no resistance - your blade slices clean across his torso. The outlaw shrieks and stumbles away, cursing. The helmsman advances on you. (if: $raindown is 1)[Rain's eyelids flutter. Keeping your eyes on your adversary, you lower one hand to help him clamber to his feet. He staggers, but doesn't fall.] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Attack. ->killHelmsman]] [[Give Rain the sword. ->rainKillHelmsman]]](else:)[(display: "helmsmanWins")]

You snatch up the blade. The helmsman lunges toward you, shrugging off Rain's hold. (set: $data's fight to it + 1) "Watch out!" yells Rain. [["Rain! Catch!" ->throwSwordRain]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Attack the helmsman. ->knockdown]]

You toss the sword, hilt-forward in Rain's direction. He snatches it from the air, grinning. Suddenly his stance is relaxed and confident, the blade following the helmsman as he circles. (set: $data's likesR to it + 1) The helmsman tugs a dagger from his boot, but he looks unnerved. "You know who I am, don't you?" Rain's tone is light, yet full of warning. The helmsman spits. "A Saragaian dog, nothing more." The bushes rustle; a second man emerges, eyes widening as he takes in the scene. "Take care of your friend here. He's in danger of doing something foolish." Rain's tone remains even. The helmsman starts toward you. [["Halt! I command you!" ->commandHalt]] [["Stop right there! Don't you recognize Rain of Saragai?" ->recogRain]]

The helmsman snorts contemptuously. But the second man lays a hand on his arm. "Careful! He's an unparalleled swordsman." "Do you know what Nyora will do to us if she hears they got past us?" replies the helmsman. [["Not my problem, boys." ->notMyProb]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Persuade")(display: "makeDice"): "She doesn't need to hear about it. Say nothing, and she'll think she lost us in the tunnels." ->lostInTunnels]]

(display: "dice")(set: $data's persuade to it + 2) (if: $success is true)[The helmsman's scowl darkens. But the other man shrugs. "She has a point, you know. We don't have to risk our necks over this." "So that's what this is about, huh? Your neck?" sneers the helmsman. "Yours *and* mine, friend. D'you think Nyora gives a damn if we die?" The two outlaws stare at each other uncertainly. Then the helmsman turns toward you, and jerks his head in the direction of the forest. "Go on, get out of here! Now!" [[Go. ->goAway]]](else:)[The helmsman gives an ugly laugh. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? You slimy little freak. If we didn't have orders, I'd show you..." An ugly grin crosses the helmsman's face, as if he's savoring some hideous daydream. Then his eyes focus on you again, and he lunges. Rain slashes at him, but the other outlaw darts behind and pushes him off balance. The helmsman's huge fist crashes into Rain's cheek; his head snaps sideways and he falls. (set: $raindown to 1) [[Run. ->runOnSurface]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Defend Rain. ->helpRainAgain]]]

Side by side, you and Rain edge out of the clearing, into pathless woods. Dense undergrowth conceals your passage, but it's slow progress, especially as the last light fades from the sky. For what seems like hours, you struggle up bramble-clad slopes and down into ditches where black mud sucks ankle-deep. At last you halt, trembling with exhaustion, in a hollow sheltered by a looming boulder. At least it's dry, but as soon as you stop moving, your sweat grows clammy. Rain huddles beside you. "This seems like as good a place to stop as any. And I don't think we can go much further tonight, Seline." His voice is barely a whisper, his teeth chattering. Stretching your body on the cold, sandy floor feels as luxurious as any bed. But the chill will only get worse. You turn to tell Rain so - but are interrupted by a snore. Instead, you snuggle against his warmth, and in moments, you are unconscious. You wake from dreamless sleep to Rain's voice. "Seline, it's almost dawn." Cold, starved and thirsty, you stretch your aching body, wincing as every movement wrenches a complaint from tender bruises and sore muscles. Rain looks no better than you feel, but he flashes you a valiant grin. "You know, I've been thinking," he says. "We haven't been to that cafe by the harbour for some time. They do a lovely breakfast there... poached eggs, coffee, bacon..." You can't even summon the energy to glare at him. (display: "ch9")

"Not gonna be mine either, bitch." An ugly grin crosses the helmsman's face, as if he's savoring some hideous daydream. Then his eyes focus on you again, and he lunges. Rain slashes at him, but the other outlaw darts behind and pushes him off balance. The helmsman's huge fist crashes into Rain's cheek; his head snaps sideways and he falls. (set: $raindown to 1) [[Run. ->runOnSurface]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Defend Rain. ->helpRainAgain]]

The helmsman halts, but only to chuckle, arms folded. "And what authority do you think you have here, little princess?" [["Don't you recognize Rain of Saragai? Move one step closer, and he'll cut you to pieces." ->recogRain]] [["Do you dare defy your future Queen, jackass?" ->defyQueen]]

"Oh, I dare many things." An ugly grin crosses the helmsman's face, as if he's savoring some hideous daydream. Then his eyes focus on you again, and he lunges. Rain slashes at him, but the other outlaw darts behind and pushes him off balance. The helmsman's huge fist crashes into Rain's cheek; his head snaps sideways and he falls. [[Run. ->runOnSurface]] [[(set: $difficulty to 10)(set: $skill_name to "Fight")(display: "makeDice"): Fight. ->helpRainAgain]]

You dart between the men and tug the sword from Rain's limp fingers. (set: $data's likesR to it + 1)(display: "knockdown")

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When everyone is aboard, he pushes off with a long pole. The raft glides across the cavern. You crouch uneasily near the back, trying not to imagine falling in. An iridescent beetle waves golden antennae from an upward-tilting plank. The caves must be infested with them. The noise of the waterfall grows to a roar, and the men have to pole hard to prevent the little craft spinning backward. Soon, you can see the wall of white water ahead, falling tens of feet from a lightless hole. A rocky cliff, slick with spray, looms behind. When you're a few feet from the cliff, one man gives a shout and leaps from the raft. He splashes waist-deep upon an underwater ledge. The men throw him a vine; he holds the raft steady while they jump out. You waver. Irrational fear swells in you. Nyora moves in front of you; without hesitating, she jumps, and lands neatly in the water. A man takes her arm, but she shakes him off. Rain hugs you. "You can do it," he murmurs. "I'm right here with you. You're safe now." [[Hold his hand. ->holdHand]] [[Just jump. ->justJump]]

Puffy orange-tinted clouds scud across the dusky sky; the sun has just set, yet the light seems blindingly bright to you. It's like waking from a nightmare. For a minute you stand, simply breathing in the sweet, flower-scented air and sky. Nyora puts her fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly. The forest rustles. Men emerge from the woods around, swords naked in their hands. They surround you and Rain, who emits a curse word you didn't think he knew. Evidently the nightmare isn't over. (if: $cooperated is true)[Nyora smiles at you both. "Thank you for your cooperation, Your Highnesses. That made things so much more pleasant than they might have been." The outlaws roar with laughter. ](display: "Chapter9a")

{ (if: $recap is 1)[*Seline and Rain were abducted by Nyora, who carried them off down an underground river. Nyora revealed that she intends to provoke war between Thronheim and Saragai by allowing the Sorcerer to kill Seline. Seline tricked the outlaws into shipwreck in an underground lake, where Seline and Nyora were saved from drowning by a giant serpent. (if: $data's sedN is 1)[Seline and Nyora shared an intimate moment in the serpent's embrace.]* (display: "skills") -----] (else:)[ (link: "Show recap")[ (set: $recap to 1) (replace: ?recap)[(display: "recap")] ] ] }

(if: $skill_name is "Deceive")[(set: $ability to $data's deceive/10)](elseif: $skill_name is "Fight")[(set: $ability to $data's fight/10)](elseif: $skill_name is "Charm")[(set: $ability to $data's charm/10)](elseif: $skill_name is "Will")[(set: $ability to $data's will/10)](elseif: $skill_name is "Persuade")[(set: $ability to $data's persuade/10)](else:)[Error: unknown skill] $skill_name (Skill $ability)

(set: $show_roll_details to 0)(set: $roll to $randarray's ($array_position))(set: $array_position to it + 1)(set: $total to (num: ($ability + $roll).toFixed(1)))(set: $difficulty to (num:($difficulty.toFixed(1))))(set: $recorded_difficulty to $difficulty)(set: $recorded_ability to $ability)(set: $recorded_skill_name to $skill_name)(if: $roll is 20)[(set: $success to true)Success!](elseif: $roll is 1)[(set: $success to false)Failure :(](elseif: $total >= $difficulty)[(set: $success to true)Success!](else:)[(set: $success to false)Failure :(] |roll_details>[(display: "Roll_details")]

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(set: $canundo to false) ###Info & Settings * **Undo**: Use the link at the bottom. Don't use your browser's back button. To change a choice in an earlier chapter, you need to redo that chapter *and* any subsequent ones. * **Skills**: Some choices can succeed or fail. You succeed if your skill + a D20 roll exceeds the difficulty of the choice, with automatic success/failure on a roll of 20/1 respectively. Skills increase with use. * **Relationships**: Relationships can affect the difficulty of skill-based choices. * **Endings**: The story has up to 20 chapters and a variety of endings. All major endings remain accessible until Chapter 16, after which the story diverges. ####Your data * **Storage**: Local storage is used only to transfer data between chapters. If you change browsers or delete your browser history you will start over. * **Privacy**: No personal data returns to the server. ####Settings * **Content**: Sex scenes are |button>[(display: "Button")] * **Display**: |modeButton>[(display: "DarkModeButton")] * **Font**: |fontButton>[(display: "FontSizeButtons")] (print: "<a href=\"../index.html\">Go to Contents Page</a>")(set: $settings to StrayHeirs["settings"])<script>window.StrayHeirs.applyStyle();</script> ------ (if: $settings's darkmode is 1)[(link-undo:'<img alt="Undo" src="arrow3.png"/>')](else:)[(link-undo:'<img alt="Undo" src="arrow3dark.png"/>')]

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<p style="color:red">Skills: Deceive (print: ($data's deceive/10).toFixed(1)) | Persuade (print: ($data's persuade/10).toFixed(1)) | Charm (print: ($data's charm/10).toFixed(1)) | Will (print: ($data's will/10).toFixed(1)) | Fight (print: ($data's fight/10).toFixed(1)) </p style><p style="color:red">Relationships: Tertia (print: ($data's likesT/10).toFixed(1)) | Andreas (print: ($data's likesA/10).toFixed(1)) | Rain (print: ($data's likesR/10).toFixed(1)) | Nyora (print: ($data's likesN/10).toFixed(1)) | Kiaru (print: ($data's likesK/10).toFixed(1)) </p style>

(if: $loudescape is 1)[At last you slow to a walk, panting. You can hear nothing over your own exhausted breath, and expect to be accosted at any moment. But as your breath calms, all remains silent.](else:)[Together, you creep away, quiet as mice.] Silence and darkness seem to press against you; every footfall sounds loud as a cannon. At last, you glimpse something ahead; a distant circle of golden-green, brilliant as opal. Light filters into the corridor, leaving traces of ghostly silver upon glossy surface of the lava. The silver brightens into woodland shades, and soon you are standing in a deep, mossy pit lined with trailing ferns and orchids. A rough-hewn staircase leads upward in the rock. Puffy orange-tinted clouds scud across the dusky sky; the sun has just set, yet the light seems blindingly bright to you. It's like waking from a nightmare. For a minute you stand, simply breathing in the sweet, flower-scented air and sky. "Come on!" Rain pulls you forward. "What are you waiting for?" [["Just being cautious. That cliff looks awfully exposed." ->cautiousWithRain]] [["Nothing. Let's get out of here!" ->incautiousWithRain]]

(display: "dice")(set: $data's fight to it + 3) The helmsman advances on you, leering. "I've been looking forward to this, you bloodsucking scum. Nyora says the Sorcerer wants you undamaged, but I say, he can get in line. We've all earned a little fun." You try to hold the blade steady, but your hands tremble with exhaustion. He's bigger than you remember, and a trained warrior. You try to recall everything Andreas taught you. Seeing your nervousness, he laughs, and snatches at you. (if: $success is true)[You start to dodge, then realise it's a feint. His left fist hurtles toward you; you spin, the momentum carrying the blade deep into his belly as his fist slams empty air. You lose your grip and stumble to the side, but there's no need for further evasion: your assailant lies groaning on the forest floor. His hands clutch feebly at hilt protruding from the bloody nest of guts spilling from his abdomen. Rain stares at you. "That's... two." You can't tell if his tone is admiration or fear. It sounds like both. You stand panting. The other outlaw has fled, leaving a trail of blood. The helmsman lies at your feet in a deepening pool of red. He's still struggling to get to you, but his limbs won't let him rise. You should help him. You should end his misery. Yet as you watch his flailing weaken, a strange feeling comes over you, a sense of lightness, dizziness. So much blood... it's... beautiful. The rising stench of viscera interweaves with the coppery tang, bringing you back to reality. "Seline? We've got to go! Now!" Rain's still staring at you. He tugs at your arm. [[Go. ->goAway]]](else:)[You dodge to the side, realising too late that it's a feint; his massive fist slams into your ear, and you stumble, head ringing, momentarily numb. The sword falls, and he snatches it up. Rain tackles him, struggling to regain the sword, while you flounder to your feet. (display: "helmsmanWins")]

Rain flashes you a grin as you hand him the sword. Immediately he seems steadier. "I'll dispose of this one. It's my turn, isn't it?" You squeeze his arm, but there's no time to reply, as the helmsman rushes at you. Rain leaps nimbly out of range, whirling, and then darts back in to skewer him. The blade flashes; the helmsman doubles over with a choking cry and crumples to the ground with blood pooling around him. Rain wipes his blade clean. "Shall we be going, then?" He sheathes his blade. [[Go. ->goAway]]

As you move, something pushes you from your feet. You land on your stomach, knocking the wind from your lungs. As you lie gasping like a landed fish, someone grabs your hands and pulls them back, snatching away the sword. A loop of rope tightens around your wrists. You twist and try to roll, but a boot slams you back against the soil. "Stay down, bitch." The voice is gloating, and the boot pins your spine. Turning your face to the side, you see the helmsman holding Rain by the throat. The fight is over. While the helmsman trusses Rain, voices emerge from below. Nyora and her clambers out of the hole with her guards in tow. Her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen. A smile spreads across her delicate features. "I see you caught a brace of coneys fleeing their burrow." [["Now you mention it, Nyora, you do kind of remind me of a ferret." ->remindFerret]] [[Say nothing. ->silentFerret]]

Shaking her head, she marches away. Her men trail after her. Rain gives you a peculiar, frowning look. [[Pretend to stumble. ->helpRain]] [["Rain. May I speak with you in private?" ->persuadeRain]]

"How nice to see you again, Highness." Nyora's helmsman. You back toward the pit -- straight into the hands of the second man, who has crept up behind you. "Careful, Princess. It's a long way down, and we don't want to disappoint the Sorcerer. I hear he likes his meat kicking." You struggle, but the bulky helmsman hurries over. Between them, they force your hands into a rough noose and push you to your knees. The smaller man gives you an evil grin. "Not long now." [["So, you're gloating over the idea of having an innocent girl murdered? You do realise how that looks, right?" ->innocentMurdered]] [["Did you really have to tie me up? Are you that scared of a little girl?" ->tiedUp]]

He steps toward you, loosening his belt. "Don't be a fool!" snaps the helmsman. "You remember what Nyora said. Goods to be delivered undamaged." "Oh, I'm not planning to *damage* anything," replies his companion. "We can have plenty of fun without that." "Leave her! Don't you know her kind have... unnatural powers? Let the Sorcerer deal with her!" barks the helmsman. He tugs the man aside. In a more conciliatory tone, he continues: "Come on, let's have a game of dice. Take your mind off that hellspawned bitch." The two men sit down, ignoring you. You test your bonds; not a strand gives. So you sit there until the sky turns to sapphire and the trees stand black against the night. At last you hear the clatter of weary feet down the tunnel. Nyora appears first over the rim. Though it still glimmers faintly in the light of the first stars, her blond crown is disheveled. Blood and grime are smeared across her face, and her clothes hang in tatters. Even so, she walks with the triumphant bearing of a queen, and the half-smile on her lips reveals only amusement. Rain follows, held from behind by a guard. Though still bruised and limping, he seems otherwise unharmed. When his eyes meet yours, he winces, shaking his head despairingly. (display: "Chapter9a")

(display: "dice")(set: $data's deceive to it + 3)(set: $data's persuade to it + 3) (if: $success is true)[Rain's forehead creases. "I... I'm sorry, Seline. I do trust you, you know? It's just - you're important to me. And I don't understand how you can call someone like him a friend.](else:)["You're *friends*? Is that what you say about someone who *kidnapped* you? Don't you hate him? Don't you despise him? It sounds like your feelings are more complicated than you admit."] (set: $data's likesA to it + 1) [["Well, calling him a *friend* is overstating it, I guess. In truth, he is no more than an animal - unworthy of my hatred." ->notWorthHating]] [["Well, at the start, I *did* hate him. But then I got to know him... He grew up on the streets, having to fight to survive. And he has every reason to hate the Crown. I never realised how badly my father's choices have hurt the common people, Rain. At first, Andreas took out that resentment on me. But when he saw I wasn't like my father, he changed his mind. That's something I respect. And ever since then, he's risked his life to help us." ->itsComplicated]]]

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