15

You duck into the Cobbled Swan, blinking hard to help your eyes adjust to the dim interior after the brightness of the outdoors. Minrathous is rarely without rain, but somehow the clouds are never dark enough to make the transition easy.

From somewhere near your right ear, Tarquin says, “Cover your eyes, don’t blink. Makes it quicker.” He’s right—and when you open your eyes again, Ashur is already standing at the back of the stage talking to Cida Ciconia as though they’re old friends. It’s starting to feel like the Shadow Dragons know everyone in Minrathous.

Unfortunately, Cida says she would love to help, but hasn’t seen Neve in at least a week. She is about to do a dress rehearsal for tonight’s show, though, and she’d love some feedback on her latest number. Would you like to stay and watch?

• To stay, turn to page 16.
• To politely decline, turn to page 17.