Clara's Recommendation

"I take it that this is not the entrance that I used," Fred said. "So what are those disadvantages you speak of?"

"It is the entrance that is furthest from where we are now and, more importantly, the tunnels are rather constricted in places. Therefore it is the option with the greatest risk that the air might run short or that we might run into a pocket of marsh gas that our candle flame might cause to ignite. However I think that those risks are acceptably small. Once we leave the caves, we will be above a canyon. We will have to climb down, but there is a rough trail of sorts. From the canyon, it will be quite a long and arduous trek to the well-populated part of Allaria, and food - not to mention clothing - could well be hard to come by. So let us hope that the weather outside is mild and dry."

"If instead we used the entrance by which I came in, we should find my tethered horse, which would make the journey much quicker," Fred said.

"Three people cannot ride one horse, even if it is still there. More importantly, as I already told you, if we go by that route we are almost sure to run into Dragazon guards - like you did on your way in, remember. They may only have captured you by this pool, but I suspect that they had been covertly tracking you for quite a while. They might not yet have learned of your escape, but if they saw you and the princess it would not be hard for them to put two and two together. But we have spent too much time talking. Are you willing to take my advice, Princess?"

1. "Of course. But please just call me Astra." The three set off for the Blackball entrance.
2. "Of course. But please just call me Astra." However Fred still wants to leave via the way he came in. This presents Clara with a problem as, if the Dragazons recapture him and make him talk, then it could compromise her and Astra's chance of escape.
3. Unexpectedly, Astra is reluctant to follow Clara's advice.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree