My friend Hazelwald claims that once, on the road to Steamshire, she and her party encountered a most bizarre form of toll, if indeed it can be called that. Hazelwald describes it as a confidence trick made by a con man, but what is a toll booth but a confidence trick with the power of government behind it?

Hazelwald’s group was on the Low Road to Steamshire when they encountered a washout, where a small creek had jumped its banks and carved out a good part of the road. A very dangerous situation, to be sure, especially not long after the flood when any attempt to ford is likely to end in a drowning death. Though skilled in the Art herself, Hazelwald knew no incantation or cantrip that could help the situation, but a firm voice soon announced that they could: a motley sorcerer or hedge wizard stood nearby, and he claimed to be a fallow stranded traveler that could ease their burden.

For what he termed a “modest fee”—Hazelwald would not divulge the amount, even when prodded—the enchanter promised to part the waters and allow the travelers safe passage. Already behind on the road, Hazelwald’s companions outvoted her and paid the man’s demanded fee. Sure enough, with a spell that my friend failed to recognize, the man carved a dry passage through the torrent with what looked like an elongated portal. The travelers then crossed without incident.

Turning back to thank their rescuer, though, they found that the man and the river had vanished. The road was intact, there was no sign of a creek, and the environs were as dry as their coin purse.

Further study has revealed that this trick is often reported on isolated roads near Steamshire, with one clever hedge wizard reaping a tidy living from it.

  • Like what you see? Purchase a print or ebook version!