Since early morning Mark went out of his mind with worry, waiting for news from the scouts sent around the town. To his disappointment, they didn't bring any news. It seemed as if the Huns just disappeared into thin air after the attack, and the hope to see his friend alive lowered minute by minute. Searching for a small group of riders on a boundless plain land was just a bit easier than looking for a needle in a haystack.
The main aim of this ambush also remained a mystery. Ransom? Then why hiding? Some old grudge? But Lucius was one of those rare people who - despite his high position in the Empire - didn't have any known enemies. What is the good of an old architect worth to a nomadic tribe?
A sudden sound distracted Mark from his uneasy thoughts.
– Ahem… As I can see, master caravan driver, that old mine did really have the second exit, since you're standing here safe and sound, and not buried deep under the earth? – Mark immediately recognized the old gypsy who he had met once and remembered his near escape from the mountain mine. But before he decided what to do with the old fraud, she continued:
– I offer you a deal: you help me, and I tell you who attacked the architect’s camp and how you can find them.
Mark didn't hesitate a moment.
– What do I need to do?
– There is a small piece of old rug, which I would like to keep as a good memory. – the old woman cracked a sly smile. – An old waist belt with a clasp made of a river stone, nothing precious at all. It's kept in one of the three chests which belong to some cranky alchemist, who lives nearby. I recently helped him when he got lost in the forest, and for this he promised to give one true answer on one out of the 4 questions I ask. And if I guess correctly in which chest he keeps this waist belt, he'll give it to me. You help me get this belt, and in return I'll tell you the way to the camp, where the Huns keep your friend!
- I still don't believe a single word of you, old witch. - sighed Mark. - But it seems I have no other option to save my friend than grasp at this straw.
Task 3: What 4 questions should the witch ask the alchemist to know for sure in which chest the waist belt is? (The alchemist can only say yes or no and will give 1 true answer and 3 false ones).
