He crosses the siege bridge and halts before the West Gate. In his hand is an orb of black metal. He holds it before him and mouths an incantation. Instantly a bolt of scarlet flame lances from the orb, destroying the great doors with a thunderous boom. Proudly he strides into the city and the defenders melt before him. One summons enough courage to attack him with a spear. There is a crackling flash and in an instant the soldier is transformed into a pile of glowing ash.
Illustration XV —A Defender attacks him, driving his spear through the cold blue flames.
He advances unchecked and undaunted by all attacks, for they cannot penetrate his magical shield. Only when he comes face to face with you does he stop.
‘I have come for you, Lone Wolf,’ he says, a cruel smile on his lips. You gaze into the ice-cold eyes of Zakhan Kimah, ruler of Vassagonia. As he raises his orb of black metal, you steel yourself for the battle that is about to commence.
If you have the Sommerswerd, turn to 48 .
If you do not possess this Special Item, turn to 210 .
259
Sogh looks at you sheepishly as you search the dead guards. ‘I'm no fighter,’ he says, apologizing for his cowardly behaviour. ‘I've no stomach for it.’ He grimaces at the sight of the bloodstained bodies but manages to overcome his squeamishness when he spies a gold ring and a full purse on one of them.
Your search reveals four useful items:
2 Swords
1 Dagger
1 Iron Key
You let Sogh keep the ring and the purse, and hand him one of the swords, which he is reluctant to accept. The other three items you keep (mark them on your Action Chart ).
After hiding the bodies, you follow Sogh as he leads you through the chambers and corridors of the South Gatehouse tower. Twice you are almost discovered, but your Kai skills, and Sogh's thief-like agility, save you both from further confrontation until you reach the ground floor of the tower.
Turn to 248 .
263
Your skin prickles when you see the old man mouth your name, for his words sound in your head as if he were standing next to you and whispering them in your ear. ‘Come hither, Lone Wolf,’ he breathes. ‘Your purpose here is known to me. I, Gwynian of Varetta, will aid your quest.’
Your immediate reaction is to turn and flee, but your Kai senses reveal that this man speaks the truth; he can help you find the Lorestone of Tahou.
Drawn by his command and your own curiosity, you climb the steps of the Magistrates' Court and follow him into his private chambers. There he explains how he has learned of your identity and purpose.
Turn to 76 .
264
In the pitch blackness you fail to see a false section of the stair which conceals a shallow hole. As you tread on the false step, it collapses, and your foot sinks into the hole to become ensnared among a mass of hooks. Their barbed tips hold you trapped, for you dare not withdraw your foot quickly in case you rip your leg to shreds: lose 3 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 307 .
265
Including the broth, which smells awful, there is very little of use or value in the hut. You discover the following articles, all of which are Backpack Items:
Comb
Rope
Lantern 13
Blanket
You may keep any or all of these items, but remember to adjust your Action Chart accordingly. You about to leave when you notice a trapdoor set into the floor near the fireplace.
If you wish to open the trapdoor, turn to 154 .
If you choose to ignore it and continue your trek to Tahou, turn to 123 .
[13] The Lantern is designed to be self-lighting. You will not need a Tinderbox or any other means of creating a flame to light it.
266
You raise your hood and wrap yourself in your Kai cloak to minimize the risk of being cut by broken glass. Leaping feet-first, you escape through the window with only a few minor scratches (lose 1 ENDURANCE point), but the glass shatters with such a terrific crash that it alerts the soldiers on guard at the side door. They surround the carriage and arrest the driver, forcing
Illustration XV —A Defender attacks him, driving his spear through the cold blue flames.
He advances unchecked and undaunted by all attacks, for they cannot penetrate his magical shield. Only when he comes face to face with you does he stop.
‘I have come for you, Lone Wolf,’ he says, a cruel smile on his lips. You gaze into the ice-cold eyes of Zakhan Kimah, ruler of Vassagonia. As he raises his orb of black metal, you steel yourself for the battle that is about to commence.
If you have the Sommerswerd, turn to 48 .
If you do not possess this Special Item, turn to 210 .
259
Sogh looks at you sheepishly as you search the dead guards. ‘I'm no fighter,’ he says, apologizing for his cowardly behaviour. ‘I've no stomach for it.’ He grimaces at the sight of the bloodstained bodies but manages to overcome his squeamishness when he spies a gold ring and a full purse on one of them.
Your search reveals four useful items:
2 Swords
1 Dagger
1 Iron Key
You let Sogh keep the ring and the purse, and hand him one of the swords, which he is reluctant to accept. The other three items you keep (mark them on your Action Chart ).
After hiding the bodies, you follow Sogh as he leads you through the chambers and corridors of the South Gatehouse tower. Twice you are almost discovered, but your Kai skills, and Sogh's thief-like agility, save you both from further confrontation until you reach the ground floor of the tower.
Turn to 248 .
263
Your skin prickles when you see the old man mouth your name, for his words sound in your head as if he were standing next to you and whispering them in your ear. ‘Come hither, Lone Wolf,’ he breathes. ‘Your purpose here is known to me. I, Gwynian of Varetta, will aid your quest.’
Your immediate reaction is to turn and flee, but your Kai senses reveal that this man speaks the truth; he can help you find the Lorestone of Tahou.
Drawn by his command and your own curiosity, you climb the steps of the Magistrates' Court and follow him into his private chambers. There he explains how he has learned of your identity and purpose.
Turn to 76 .
264
In the pitch blackness you fail to see a false section of the stair which conceals a shallow hole. As you tread on the false step, it collapses, and your foot sinks into the hole to become ensnared among a mass of hooks. Their barbed tips hold you trapped, for you dare not withdraw your foot quickly in case you rip your leg to shreds: lose 3 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 307 .
265
Including the broth, which smells awful, there is very little of use or value in the hut. You discover the following articles, all of which are Backpack Items:
Comb
Rope
Lantern 13
Blanket
You may keep any or all of these items, but remember to adjust your Action Chart accordingly. You about to leave when you notice a trapdoor set into the floor near the fireplace.
If you wish to open the trapdoor, turn to 154 .
If you choose to ignore it and continue your trek to Tahou, turn to 123 .
[13] The Lantern is designed to be self-lighting. You will not need a Tinderbox or any other means of creating a flame to light it.
266
You raise your hood and wrap yourself in your Kai cloak to minimize the risk of being cut by broken glass. Leaping feet-first, you escape through the window with only a few minor scratches (lose 1 ENDURANCE point), but the glass shatters with such a terrific crash that it alerts the soldiers on guard at the side door. They surround the carriage and arrest the driver, forcing
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