text: [Themes: Science Fiction]
  
  > Look around
  Cliffside balcony (on the chair)
  The natural terraced balcony is surrounded by ornate gardens and overlooks the deep canyon down below. It's a popular spot for celebrations and other public events.
  
  Numerous tables and chairs are occupied by townspeople, on which tasty food and good wine are served. Waiters constantly move about and tend to every request.
  
  You can see Nivanen, Ashtartan ambassadors, some friends, some townspeople, Marita, Lady Atossa and some waiters here.
  
  > examine Nivanen
  Nivanen is dressed up in her colorful guard suit. She's placed her weapons next to her chair.
  
  > examine weapons
  The traditional weapon set of a Varkana warrior consists of a sword, an axe, a mace, a bow, a javelin and a baton. All are slender-built and are strapped on the back. Sometimes the weapon in which they specialize is larger, which is not the case for Nivanen's axe.
  
  > ask Nivanen about Ardavaan
  You anxiously tell her about not seeing Ardavaan among the ambassadors, and that he hasn't actually joined them or signaled his arrival since he came.
  
  "Looks a bit suspicious. A shy ambassador who comes here for... drawing and reading books. Hmm... Librarian Houtan could do with more prudence. But for now, I'll go and take a look. Perhaps he just got lost in the town bazaar or something. He'd surely regret missing this lunch." Nivanen says as she takes her weapons to strap them to her back. "Me too, I hope he's just lost..." "Let's go search, and perhaps ask for aid."
  
  Nivanen excuses the two of you from the others at the table and hurries to the staircase, beckoning you to follow.
  
  > Go upwards
  You'll have to get off the chair first.
  
  > get up
  You get off the chair.
  
  The natural terraced balcony is surrounded by ornate gardens and overlooks the deep canyon down below. It's a popular spot for celebrations and other public events.
  
  Numerous tables and chairs are occupied by townspeople, on which tasty food and good wine are served. Waiters constantly move about and tend to every request.
  
  The staircase leads up to the town center.
  
  You can also see Ashtartan ambassadors, some friends, some townspeople, Marita, Lady Atossa and some waiters here.
  
  > Go upward
  You're in a sunlit plaza which is abundantly decorated with rose bushes and cypresses. Public buildings such as the town hall and guild headquarters encircle the plaza. Their golden-ochre stone, blue-glazed mud brick masonry and crenellated walls are some of the finest in the town.
  
  Northwards from here there's a giant "U" shaped cavity in the mountain's natural formation. The town stretches to northeast and northwest.
  
  The staircase on the north leads downward to the cliffside balcony, which overlooks the land far below. The bazaar is to the south, and the square is to the southeast.
  
  You can see some town guards scattered around the place.
  
  You can also see Nivanen here.
  
  > fight Nivanen
  She blocks your attack "Hey, watch it you, flimsy!"
  
  Nivanen is telling a group of guards that an ambassador is missing, which makes them burst in laughter. "I wish it was I who'd been tasting our best wine reserve and counting Ashtartans today, and you watching all of the town descend from these stairs. Profit from your time off before your patrol schedule, girl." Nivanen's face blushes in rage, making her look close to drunk.
  
  "Well I hope you'll be rewarded for your superb vigilance. But I'm telling you he did NOT signal his arrival..." "And I'm telling you, you better watch your tone while wearing that uniform, you're embarrassing us..." another guard snaps, while the one next to him stops him and adds calmly "There are only eight Ashtartans in this town. I myself escorted them to the hotel last night. No more arrivals are expected. So, kindly go back to your lunch like a good recruit on her time off." "Unlike some, I've never gotten drunk in public, old timer. Today's no exception."
  
  Nivanen holds her chin up and comes to you. "Well, unless you've dreamt up this Ardavaan we have to find him by ourselves." "Trust me, he's real - you can ask Houtan if you don't believe me." "I believe you. I'm sorry... Look, I'll go search in the bazaar. It might take some time. Meanwhile you can search anywhere else you can think of finding him; the old temple, vineyards, whatever. And I'll have a word with Librarian Houtan afterwards. See you soon I hope."
  
  Nivanen takes the south road to the direction of bazaar and disappears.
  
  > Go north
  Engraved wooden pillars support a high wooden roof. Some chairs and tables have been brought here from the library's interior, as is usually done in warm seasons. There are even some rugs and cushions on the ground for more relaxed reading.
  
  The entrance to the library is before you to the north.
  
  You see Ardavaan's vehicle leaning next to a pillar.
  
  > go the vehicle
  You mount Ardavaan's vehicle.
  
  > look at the vehicle
  It's a one-man vehicle with a saddle instead of a seat; less cozy but easier to manoeuvre. It has a transparent shield in front to protect the pilot at high speed. It's bronze in color and has been damaged and patched up in various places and needs cleaning. Even though Ashtartan-made, it can't be one of those fabulous ones Nivanen saw last night.
  
  > Mount vehicle
  You are already riding Ardavaan's vehicle.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a drawing
  a quill pen
  a ribbon (being worn)
  a glow orb (providing light)
  some jewelry (being worn)
  an outfit (being worn)
  
  > Go south
  Square (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  You see a fountain with benches and potted plants in the middle of the square. There are roads leading in different directions.
  
  East leads to the vineyards. The library is to the north. Northwest leads to the town center. The town bazaar is to the west. The school is to the south, and there's a road to an old temple to the southeast.
  
  You can see many kids playing here.
  
  > Go north
  Library's Terrace (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  Engraved wooden pillars support a high wooden roof. Some chairs and tables have been brought here from the library's interior, as is usually done in warm seasons. There are even some rugs and cushions on the ground for more relaxed reading.
  
  The entrance to the library is before you to the north.
  
  > Go south
  Square (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  You see a fountain with benches and potted plants in the middle of the square. There are roads leading in different directions.
  
  > Go north
  East leads to the vineyards. The library is to the north. Northwest leads to the town center. The town bazaar is to the west. The school is to the south, and there's a road to an old temple to the southeast.
  
  You can see many kids playing here.
  
  Library's Terrace (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  Engraved wooden pillars support a high wooden roof. Some chairs and tables have been brought here from the library's interior, as is usually done in warm seasons. There are even some rugs and cushions on the ground for more relaxed reading.
  
  The entrance to the library is before you to the north.
  
  > go south
  East leads to the vineyards. The library is to the north. Northwest leads to the town center. The town bazaar is to the west. The school is to the south, and there's a road to an old temple to the southeast.
  
  You can see many kids playing here.
  
  You walk down to the school, and find the gates closed as you expected. The classes will begin after the grape harvest is usually done, which is in a month. You return to the square.
  
  > go east
  Vineyard (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  Rows of vines stretch far and wide to the south, southeast and east -
  
  > Go north
  where they nearly reach the eastern cliffside. Occasionally the vines are made to climb circular wooden frames to form leafy pavilions.
  
  The stone pathway leads to the square to the west, the shady park to the north, and eventually the terrace to the northwest. On the ground you see some drops of oil.
  
  Shady Park (on Ardavaan's vehicle)
  Some benches lie in the park, one of which is occupied by an old couple who are busy talking to each other. Behind them you can see a kingberry bush.
  
  The terrace and your room are to the west, and the vineyard is to the south.
  
  > get off the vehicle
  As you dismount, the vehicle weighs heavily on you and you fail to stabilize it. It falls to its side while you dodge. Something breaks in it with a solid clinging noise.
  
  Some benches lie in the park, one of which is occupied by an old couple who are busy talking to each other. Behind them you can see a kingberry bush.
  
  You see Ardavaan's vehicle.
  
  The terrace and your room are to the west, and the vineyard is to the south.
  
  > go to the north
  Engraved wooden pillars support a high wooden roof. Some chairs and tables have been brought here from the library's interior, as is usually done in warm seasons. There are even some rugs and cushions on the ground for more relaxed reading.
  
  The entrance to the library is before you to the north.
  
  > Go north
  You cross Librarian Houtan who's leaving the library. He doesn't pay attention to you, as if you are not there. You turn and watch him continue his way south. You'd swear something was not right... You call him, but he doesn't stop.
  
  You're in the Library of Arg Varkana. It's a big but cozy hall lined with rows of bookshelves. Reading tables are at the center and by the large windows which allow sunlight during the day. A chandelier hung from the ceiling upstairs along with several glowstands scattered around the library provide extra illumination in the evening.
  
  Spiral stairs lead up to the museum, and down to the bookcrafters' workshop. The exit is to the south.
  
  > Go upward
  You climb up the staircase.
  
  The museum is a tidy hall filled with various exhibits, ranging from artworks and crafts and old objects to archeological findings.
  
  Display cases, shelves and tables occupy the most possible space without making it difficult to walk. A glass cabinet containing old books in a corner draws your attention.
  
  The only exit is back down the staircase.
  
  You can also see Rasha and Ardavaan here.
  
  "Farahnaaz... How kind of you to have brought us light." Rasha's eyes glitter from within Ardavaan's arms as he turns the cat from the display cases to let it face you. Ardavaan's eyes are closed but the cat is watching you intently. After being carefully placed on the ground, Rasha blinks a few times in confusion and Ardavaan opens his eyes. He comes to you and snatches the glow orb from your hand. "You have our gratitude. A glow orb... I'm embarrassed it did not cross my mind."
  
  He continues scanning the exhibits, your gaze and Rasha's following him. He suddenly halts, and brings the glow orb near a show case containing some old books. After a few seconds of fiddling with the lock with some strange metal wires, he opens the glass door and picks up the poem book. "Despite my admiration for your craft, Farahnaaz, and your excitement for the task, I should keep this one away from your creative hands." You turn for the exit. "Anyways, I'd be curious to know, why have you come here before the museum opens? If you don't mind explaining..." He cocks his head to one side, spinning the glow orb in his hand. You struggle for an answer as he goes and stands between you and the exit. "... So?"
  
  > ask Ardavaan about Behzaad
  "So he has even been to your town. I knew the old jackal back in Ashtarta. He is a remarkable craftsman indeed... And you say, he just left the town?"
  
  You nod. "Yesterday afternoon."
  
  He looks away. "Lucky him..." You wait for him to continue, but he doesn't seem to intend to.
  
  It'd be a good idea to convince him you're not here just to spy on him, improbable as it may sound...
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a drawing
  a quill pen
  a ribbon (being worn)
  some jewelry (being worn)
  an outfit (being worn)
  
  > Poem
  "Yes, that's what I came here for."
  
  Ardavaan is getting impatient.
  
  > Kiss ardavaan
  Something about his sharp gaze freaks you out. No way.
  
  "So, assuming you've come for a stroll... I still cannot let you alarm others to come and chase me. But fatigue does not allow me to focus well, so don't fight or it'll be fatal." Without giving you any time to absorb his odd warning, his hands reach out for your head. Each finger is pressed on a point, resulting in a tingling sensation in your head and spine. On reflex you struggle to free yourself. He gasps, and the tingling spreads everywhere and you drift into a slumber.
  
  > tell Ardavaan about Rasha
  Please give one of the answers above.