Naturally, as soon as I post, I finally make progress... I will never doubt the necessity of mapping again. By mapping the enchanted forest, I hooked up with the sorcerer, cleared some voices, and am now in the white tower. I can get to the Second Floor, but I don't seem to be able to get anywhere else! So far this tower seems useless, which really just means that I haven't figured something out.

But my big, BIG problem is this: I CAN NOT GET INTO THE ROYAL GARDENS. Yes, I've fed and ridden the unicorn and I've stood at the gate. However, that gosh-darn guard demands a toll and doesn't want the various things I have the choice of offering him. I must be missing something painfully obvious, since nobody else has posted about having any trouble getting in, but I really can't fight the kitty, get the gold for the soothsayer, or do much else until I get into that place. I realize that once I get into the gardens, my problem at the tower (and everywhere else I've hit roadblocks) will probably clear up. ARGH! Please help!