50

As the day passes, you hear from more or less everyone in the village. By the time everyone has said their piece, it's midday. Except suddenly it grows dark as the sun vanishes behind the gray mountain. Clear silver light makes the world look like one of Dr. Sabbatine's photographs. Her voice emerges from the rift, clear as a bell: "Well, Crowchar, what will it be?"

Of course, you already know what the answer has to be.

Alexius and Control complain bitterly, but your mind is made up, and the villagers are with you.

Dr. Sabbatine sighs and says, "When it is done, I will bring what I can through the rift. I suppose I can establish a new life in that world, and I would rather be there than in a world ruled by the mad queen. All my work, for nothing."

But Chief Kothis is smiling, imagining a future without monsters. This assumes, of course, that a being named the False Icon is good to its word. Well, you can't worry about that now–your mind is made up.

While you explain agriculture to the villagers and help them organize a garden, runners bring word that a savage army led by the Crowned Serpent is still approaching the village. No doubt spies have already reported your decision to whoever leads them. Your only hope will be to convince them that you plan to let the mountain fall before a fight breaks out.

"Less than a week," Alexius says, staring down at the map he's drawn. You're in what was once Stralchus's house in the village, now a planning room. Alexius has mostly isolated himself in this room, plotting strategies, but now he needs advice. An army of monsters and mercenaries, led by the Crowned Serpent, has been attacking the last of the upriver settlements. They'll reach the village in just a few days.

Vecla toys with a pewter token on the map that signifies the alleged location of the Tyrant, the huge lizard that now travels with the Crowned Serpent.

"What can we do?" Vecla asks, biting her thumb and walking in circles around the map.

Control nods and says, "We should attempt at least one strike at one of our enemies while we still have the time."

All eyes turn to you.