The Path of True Love

The question remained: which of the four paths would he choose? For some time, Fred stood at the crossroads, pondering. Finally, he stepped forward onto the white path.

"Well, well, well," said a voice behind him. Fred turned around and saw the same gnarled old man who had greeted him earlier. "So you have chosen the path of love. What led you to make this choice?"

"What else could bring me eternal happiness but everlasting love? Riches and power only bring discontent. Love is far more important than either of these."

The wizard frowned. "This is not the worst of paths which you may choose, but it is not an easy one. The road to true love is not an easy one, and love which should last forever all too often dies. When you open your heart to another person, you open yourself to a great deal of risk. Love which fails can plunge the spirit into despair, to the point from which it can never recover. And even true love is never free from conflict. Nevertheless, it is the path you have chosen, and you may continue on it if you wish." Cackling, the old man seemed to gradually fade away.

Fred turned around as soon as he disappeared. He would surely not forsake true love for the rantings of a madman, he decided. His love would be strong enough to surmount any obstacle. He stepped forward onto the white road.

As he walked onward, he saw that the mist that permeated this region was fading away. At the same time, the lands were becoming both brighter and more indistinct. Finally, he no longer felt as if he was walking and merely saw the light growing brighter around him. Finally, he opened his eyes.

1. He found himself lying in a chamber in the caves of the Dragon. Near him, chained to the wall, was a beautiful woman with hair of fiery red.
2. He found himself lying in a carriage outside a small city, in the clothes of a bard.

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