you to abandon your hopes of escaping that way.
Turn to 39 .
267
The sergeant-at-arms orders his men to surround and disarm you both. Sogh immediately drops to his knee and begs for mercy; he blames you for everything, saying that you released him and forced him to accompany you against his will. ‘Silence, weevil! You'll get your chance to tell your tale to the Chief Magistrate. Maybe he'll believe you … ’ growls the sergeant before casting an angry glance at the dead soldier, ‘and maybe he won't.’
You are led back to your cell and four burly armed guards are placed outside the door with orders to shoot to kill if you should attempt another escape.
Turn to 227 .
268
Guyuk is a nervous and jittery sort of man. He is afflicted with all manner of tics and twitches and is given to worrying about anything and everything. Recently his condition has worsened, and in light of events in the north, it is not difficult to understand why.
‘Oh! What's to become of us? Where will it all end?’ he mutters, wringing his pudgy hands and casting his eyes to the rafters. ‘Every day for the last two weeks wagons filled with women and children have been leaving Tahou for the south, yet the Senate tell us that nothing is wrong, that we should go about our business and not concern ourselves with city affairs. Well, I for one am not fooled. I tell you they're keeping us in the dark about what's really happening and I'm not going to wait around to suffer the consequences. I'm closing up and moving out at the end of the week, and if you two gentlemen would take some friendly advice, you'd be wise to do the same.’
Someone in the tavern is calling for more lovka. Before you can question Guyuk further, he snatches up a bottle and scurries away to serve his thirsty customer.
If you now wish to order some food, turn to 88 .
If you decide to retire to your room, turn to 156 .
269
When you have finished your meal, you talk at length about your journey from Dessi and your quest for the Lorestone of Tahou. Chiban produces a map of the city, which he unfurls on the floor of his study, the only surface not cluttered with magical equipment. With his toe he points to the location of the Tahou Cauldron: it is in the Square of the Dragons in the West District of the city.
‘The Cauldron is a funnel-shaped hollow with a circular shaft at its base. The shaft descends to the ruins of the ancient city of Zaaryx, 500 feet below the streets of Tahou. Legend tells us that the Lorestone was thrown into the Cauldron to prevent the Black Zakhan of Vassagonia from capturing it during the Great Khordaim War. The shaft was closed off and has remained sealed for the past 360 years.’ He looks up from the map and you notice that his smiling features are now sad and composed.
‘At dawn the armies of Darklord Gnaag will be at the gates of the city and the battle of Tahou will have begun. My duty is here, in the defence of my beloved city, otherwise I would willingly accompany you on our search. There is only one man who can help you now, for he is the only one that can grant you access to the shaft that descends to Zaaryx. He is President Toltuda of Anari. Come, I will arrange an audience with him immediately.’
Turn to 208 .
270
You rise and run along the battlements, escaping death by inches as the stone ball shears away the parapet and walkway where you were sheltering. One hundred yards further on, a tower looms into view; it is one of many that reinforce the city wall. You can hardly believe your eyes when you notice that your companion, Banedon, is standing behind the crenellations. You wave and shout to him but the noise of battle drowns your call.
Turn to 131 .
277
The dragon-like eyes of the monster blaze with hatred and a deep growl rumbles from its fanged maw as it makes ready to attack.
Zadragon: COMBAT SKILL 43 ENDURANCE 58
This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge).
If you win the combat, turn to 93
Turn to 39 .
267
The sergeant-at-arms orders his men to surround and disarm you both. Sogh immediately drops to his knee and begs for mercy; he blames you for everything, saying that you released him and forced him to accompany you against his will. ‘Silence, weevil! You'll get your chance to tell your tale to the Chief Magistrate. Maybe he'll believe you … ’ growls the sergeant before casting an angry glance at the dead soldier, ‘and maybe he won't.’
You are led back to your cell and four burly armed guards are placed outside the door with orders to shoot to kill if you should attempt another escape.
Turn to 227 .
268
Guyuk is a nervous and jittery sort of man. He is afflicted with all manner of tics and twitches and is given to worrying about anything and everything. Recently his condition has worsened, and in light of events in the north, it is not difficult to understand why.
‘Oh! What's to become of us? Where will it all end?’ he mutters, wringing his pudgy hands and casting his eyes to the rafters. ‘Every day for the last two weeks wagons filled with women and children have been leaving Tahou for the south, yet the Senate tell us that nothing is wrong, that we should go about our business and not concern ourselves with city affairs. Well, I for one am not fooled. I tell you they're keeping us in the dark about what's really happening and I'm not going to wait around to suffer the consequences. I'm closing up and moving out at the end of the week, and if you two gentlemen would take some friendly advice, you'd be wise to do the same.’
Someone in the tavern is calling for more lovka. Before you can question Guyuk further, he snatches up a bottle and scurries away to serve his thirsty customer.
If you now wish to order some food, turn to 88 .
If you decide to retire to your room, turn to 156 .
269
When you have finished your meal, you talk at length about your journey from Dessi and your quest for the Lorestone of Tahou. Chiban produces a map of the city, which he unfurls on the floor of his study, the only surface not cluttered with magical equipment. With his toe he points to the location of the Tahou Cauldron: it is in the Square of the Dragons in the West District of the city.
‘The Cauldron is a funnel-shaped hollow with a circular shaft at its base. The shaft descends to the ruins of the ancient city of Zaaryx, 500 feet below the streets of Tahou. Legend tells us that the Lorestone was thrown into the Cauldron to prevent the Black Zakhan of Vassagonia from capturing it during the Great Khordaim War. The shaft was closed off and has remained sealed for the past 360 years.’ He looks up from the map and you notice that his smiling features are now sad and composed.
‘At dawn the armies of Darklord Gnaag will be at the gates of the city and the battle of Tahou will have begun. My duty is here, in the defence of my beloved city, otherwise I would willingly accompany you on our search. There is only one man who can help you now, for he is the only one that can grant you access to the shaft that descends to Zaaryx. He is President Toltuda of Anari. Come, I will arrange an audience with him immediately.’
Turn to 208 .
270
You rise and run along the battlements, escaping death by inches as the stone ball shears away the parapet and walkway where you were sheltering. One hundred yards further on, a tower looms into view; it is one of many that reinforce the city wall. You can hardly believe your eyes when you notice that your companion, Banedon, is standing behind the crenellations. You wave and shout to him but the noise of battle drowns your call.
Turn to 131 .
277
The dragon-like eyes of the monster blaze with hatred and a deep growl rumbles from its fanged maw as it makes ready to attack.
Zadragon: COMBAT SKILL 43 ENDURANCE 58
This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge).
If you win the combat, turn to 93
Similar Books
