### 169

'Easy, Smudd,' you say, letting your hands drift away from your weapons, 'I mean you no harm. I just want to talk with you awhile, that's all.'

The scrawny-faced knave looks at you with deep suspicion, his hand tightening around the hilt of his rapier.

'Look,' you say, reaching for your money pouch, 'I'm even prepared to pay for the privilege.'

Slowly you remove five Gold Crowns and place them on the table (if you currently have less than five Gold Crowns, you give Smudd what you have plus one item from your Backpack).

Adjust your Action Chart accordingly, then turn to 323.

Text copyright © 1991 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1991 Brian Williams.