1001 Stories for the Road – The People of the Mist

Chapter 37 – "I Am Repaid, Queen"

The fugitives' situation collapses into crisis the moment Soa escapes and alerts the priests. With their identities exposed and the priesthood mobilizing, Leonard, Juanna, Otter, and Olfan face certain death unless they can flee the temple prison. Their frantic attempts to break down the massive wooden doors fail, and the priests begin massing outside.

Otter proposes a desperate alternative: descend through the tunnel beneath the Water‑Dweller's lair and attempt the perilous ice‑bridge that leads out of the valley. With no other hope, the group gathers supplies, restrains Nam, and drops into the cavern—retrieving the sacred jewel bag in the process.

They reach the mountain tunnel just ahead of their pursuers and hastily block the entrance with ice and stones. As dawn approaches, the priests return with battering beams. Olfan and two captains choose to remain behind, holding the priests at bay so Leonard, Juanna, and Otter can attempt the climb. In a moment of quiet nobility, Olfan bids Juanna farewell, accepting death as the price of his oath to protect her.

With the ice wall cracking and the priests breaking through, the trio escapes up the mountain slope. Nam collapses, is freed from his bindings, and the group presses on until the glittering ice‑bridge appears ahead—an ominous gateway to freedom.

Chapter 38 – "The Triumph of Nam"

At the brink of the ravine, Otter reveals the only way across the treacherous ice‑bridge: riding flat stones like sleds over the frozen incline. As Leonard keeps watch, Juanna distracts herself by examining the treasure—an astonishing collection of sapphires, rubies, and carved gemstone idols.

But Nam, who had seemed unconscious, rises and crawls toward her. In a sudden lunge he snatches the jewel bag and sprints toward a rock promontory overlooking the abyss. Cornered, he threatens to drop the treasure unless Leonard swears to spare his life. When Leonard agrees, Nam mocks him, declaring that he will destroy the treasure rather than let "white thieves" steal the sacred wealth of his people.

With a final curse, Nam hurls himself—and the jewels—off the cliff into the chasm below.

The loss devastates Juanna, who blames herself, and Leonard, who sees his long‑sought fortune vanish forever. Otter confirms the jewels are unrecoverable: the ravine walls are sheer and a river roars far below.

With the priests still pursuing, the trio must now abandon grief and focus on survival. Otter finds two flat stones suitable for crossing the ice‑bridge—one large enough for Leonard and Juanna together, and a smaller one for himself. With no treasure left and no way back, they prepare for the most dangerous passage yet.