>TM 4 >LS 2 >PS ON >PL58 >SM6 >CP ON >FO OFF >------L-----------------------!---------------------------R â283â You rise at dawn and after a hearty breakfast in the Š tavern kitchen, you and Karvas collect your horses Š from the stables. The tavern-keeper and his wife bid Š you a cheery farewell, and set off from Voshno along Š a road that crosses the plain to the east. The morning sky is clear and sunny, and the air is Š filled with butterflies and the sound of birdsong. Š Having now entered Siyen, and with ten days remaining Š to Harvestmas, you are feeling quietly confident that Š you will reach Seroa in time for Karvas to be crowned Š King. To your surprise you find that the prince is a Š little less optimistic. He tells you that you are now Š approaching the eastern province of Cavalia, a region Š which shares its name with its principal city. The Š province and city are ruled by Sadanzo, the evil Š baron who seeks to usurp the throne of Siyen. Karvas Š cautions you to remain vigilant until you are safely Š beyond the borders of his enemy's province. It is nearing noon when you first glimpse the towers Š and spires of Cavalia glinting on the horizon. The Š plains road leads directly to its fortified Š gatehouse, but Karvas is anxious to avoid entering Š the city. He proposes that you leave the road and use Š a smaller trail which threads through several Š villages and settlements that ring the city. You are Š approaching the first of these villages where you see Š a troop of thirty horsemen riding towards you on the Š trail ahead. They wear chainmail armour and they each Š have the emblem of a black eagle's head emblazoned Š upon their white surcoats and shields. A golden crown Š surmounts these eagle's heads and Karvas gasps when Š he sees them. He signals to you to rein in your Š horse, and as you come to a halt, he tells you that Š the approaching horsemen are wearing the livery of Š Baron Sadanzo. The black eagle's head is his mark, Š but it is the addition of a golden crown that has Š shocked Karvas. It is the sign of royal ascedence. Š Karvas is fearful that Baron Sadanzo has already been Š crowned King of Siyen. As they ride nearer, the leader of the troop - a Š Knight Bachelor - motions his horsemen to leave the Š trail and encircle you and the prince. As they obey Š his command, the Knight Bachelor brings his snorting Š steed to a halt alongside your horse. "Hail, fellow riders" he says, with forced Š politeness. He raises the steel visor of his helmet Š and his dark, suspicious eyes scrutinise you from Š head to toe. "You are Northlanders, are you not? What business do Š you pursue here in the province of Cavalia?" If you wish to answer that you are journeymen from Š Sommerlund who are travelling across Southern Š Magnamund to learn about its peoples and customs, Š turn to â140â If you wish to answer that you are on your way to Š Seroa for the Harvestmas Day festival, turn to â173â If you choose not to answer the Knight Bachelor's Š questions, turn to â43â