of their brothers-in-arms.
Several of the dead have satchels, quivers, and backpacks slung about their shoulders. Some have been torn open during the combat and their contents lie spilled out on the ground. A cursory glance reveals the following weapons and other items:
6 Arrows
Comb
Broadsword
Dagger
Pipe
Sword
Spyglass
Enough food for 3 Meals
Blanket
20 Gold Crowns
If you wish to keep any of these items, remember to mark them on your Action Chart .
Swiftly you make your escape into the dense pines. The area is alive with bandits and you are forced to flee northwards, away from the place where you left Bracer tethered to a tree. You are anxious for his safety and mindful that there are still many miles to be covered before you reach Lake Vorndarol, but you dare not turn back for him. Then you hear something that makes you halt in your tracks: it is the sound of a horse whinnying.
Turn to 223 .
189
‘Attend with care to what I say, mortal,’ says the face of Shamath. ‘When I have finished, I shall ask you this question: “While I am here to do Naar's bidding, how many loyal servants guard my throne of power?” ’
Shamath notes the look of concentration on your face and she allows herself a sneering laugh at your expense before she continues. She is confident that you will not defeat her in this intellectual contest. She begins:
‘I possess two Dwellers of the Abyss. My loyal servants are equal in number to the months in a Magnamund year, less the number of my Dwellers of the Abyss.’
‘When the loyal servants and the Dwellers of the Abyss were counted together, their total number was doubled when my Lieutenants of Night arrived.’
‘But when my Lieutenants of Night arrived, the Dwellers of the Abyss had to leave.’
‘Exactly half of the remaining number also departed, for they were beholden to the Dwellers.’
‘From the remainder I picked the loyal servants to guard my throne of power. I chose them all, except for one who was known to me as a traitor. I executed the traitor before I set my loyal servants to guard my throne.’
‘So, mortal, answer my question: while I am here to do Naar's bidding, how many loyal servants guard my throne of power?’
Study the words of Shamath's riddle carefully. When you think you have the answer, turn to the entry which bears the same number as your answer. 14
If you cannot answer Shamath's riddle, turn to 216 .
[14] It is safe to assume that a ‘Magnamund year’ has the same number of months in it as an Earth year. The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer.
190
Suddenly the Elder grabs your robe and pulls it open, revealing your leather tunic, cloak, and breeches. Recognizing them at once to be Sommlending in origin, he gasps with shock as he guesses your true identity.
Turn to 314 .
191
You watch from the edge of the warehouse roof as the assassin makes his escape. For a moment he halts beside a tall chimney stack and turns to look in your direction. Then three other shadowy figures emerge from behind the stack and stand at his shoulder. They stare at you silently for a few moments before turning and melting away into the night.
Having decided not to follow, you make your way down from the warehouse roof and retrace your steps back to the stables of the Crooked Sage to collect your horse.
Turn to 341 .
194
Your spine tingles with the presentiment of danger. Your senses warn that something evil is abroad this night and you are fearful that it will come upon you while you are sleeping. With this worry foremost in your mind, you stand at the mouth of the cave and use your Kai Mastery to summon a woodland creature. A few minutes pass; then you sight a wildcat and its cub emerging from the pines. They have answered your call and obediently they submit to your will. You command them to guard the cave mouth; then you settle down to
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