An Illogical Decision

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 38994

The squire pondered what he ought to do. Who were the mysterious four, and what was their business in the caves? Were they brigands in the employ of the dragon? Or could they be intent on killing him? Could they be following his master, intending to ambush him?

He was tempted to see if he could follow the tracks inside the cave, but that would surely be unwise. Whoever the four were, they were presumably familiar with the cave system while he was not. And surely the footprints would not lead him very far, since before long the floor was likely to become solid rock. Unlike his master, he had no map, and so might easily get lost.

If he should happen to catch up with the four, then if they proved to be hosttile he would have no chance, pitted one against four.

Another thing: if he went in by one entrance and Lord Fred happened to come out of the other, then they might easily miss one another.

Finally, it seemed unwise to leave the two horses on their own. There had been no choice last time, but - since he had seen no sign of Lord Fred's original horse on his way here - there must be a fair chance that it had fallen victim to some predator.

But the squire wanted the chance to prove himself a hero, so that he might before too much longer be judged worthy of becoming a knight. So, having carefully rehearsed all of the arguments showing why it would be folly to go into the caves, he then decided to do exactly that, telling himself that his master might be in trouble as his justification. Once he had securely tethered the horses, he clasped the haft of the oilwood torch in his hand and took the entrance that the footprints led him to.

  1. He was able to track the footprints to their destination.
  2. Before long, as he had feared might happen, there was insufficient loose material on the floor for any further footprints to be visible.
  3. Meanwhile...

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JH

2/24/2004 10:37:31 AM

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