Chapter 2: Birdsong in Hollow Valley

Music

The next morning, you are roused from sleep bright and early by Hee-Chul, the slug-man who runs the Twelve Lanterns. Breakfast is brought up to you at the Guildmaster's suite: Smoked fish congee, steamed pork and cabbage dumplings, dry noodles dressed with a light soy broth, and jian bing, crepes filled with scallions, cilantro, sweet soybean paste, and chili sauce.

Rong Hua is feeling much better is still ill. The strange sickness is gone still afflicts her, and the memory of Atekhramun's choking green incense and the horrible insect swarm will haunt her for a while yet. Hee-Chul promises to look after her here at the inn. The Guild can get her the best physicians, but Iko fears the disease is magical in nature, and may require magical healing.

What to do with Atekhramun's treasure? You have split the money among you. Did you take the silks as well? Although Feng laid claim to one of the scrolls, she realizes she can't make any sense of the magical scribblings. It's discovered that only Iko among you can read the scrolls and potentially work their magic.

Zhang Wei, you remember that you still have the black stone ring you found. What do you do with it?

What to do next?

There's the matter of returning Mei to Shen Xin at the Cripped Crane.

Is today the day you foray into the wilderness with Sikeo to find samples of Yellow Zombie Mold for the apothecary Yao Fei to study?

Sungyeol comes by with news of another death at the docks caused by the monster Tamchim has enlisted you to hunt down. The elven archer thanks Iko again for tending to his brother, Dae-Won, when he was wounded in the alley. It may be another day or two before the swordsman is recovered enough to see action again.

No doubt, The man who hired Wu Meng and Rong Hua to steal the scroll from the Guong Estate will be wanting an update, as well.

What do you do?

"The beast has so far always struck at night," Sungyeol points out, "and I wouldn't recommend rooting about in the woods after sundown. So maybe see to the latter this morning, and the former in the evening? I can go get Sikeo for you if you decide to do it that way."

Wei sits there feeling relaxed and in good spirits. Enjoying the moment and the company, he indulges in a hefty breakfast. Listening to the suggestions of his friends, Wei gives his opinion.

"I agree, this escaped animal should be our next goal. It would save innocent lives as well as earn us our host's gratitude."

Wei
How indeed? Whenever you touch or look at the ring, you feel a strong urge to wear it. Do you put it on? Show it to your companions? Consult a local magician? Discard or sell it? What do you do?

Sungyeol shrugs. "No one has reported seeing it, by day or by night, but the attacks happen at night, and the wounds are consistent with the beast's description. That's what I've been told. I've never seen the beast, nor any of the bodies."

Obviously, Sungyeol only has his facts through orders he was given. You've no idea if he's even aware of Jimseung's involvement.

What do you do, Wei?

Wei:
You easily slide the ring off. But when you blink, the ring is no longer in your hand, but back on your finger! Laughter echoes in your head,

"Can't get rid of us that easily, boy! In fact, unless you play your cards right, you're stuck with us forever. And we do mean forever - when you die you're joining us in here! But don't worry, we'll try not to let you die."

Iko:
You can sense the spirits in the ring, but only Wei can hear their voices. The ring doesn't budge when you attempt to take it from Wei.

When Iko tries to take the ring, the spirits speak to Wei again,
"Your friend can't have us, boy. Unless you put the ring on his finger yourself."

Wei & Iko, what do you do?