Vampirium by Joe Dever

its raw power causing the creature to lose all control. With a sickening crunch, the helpless creature collides with the rocky wall of the mountain pass and then tumbles out of view.
    To continue, turn to 18 .

203
    Patiently, you watch and wait until the skyship and its attackers have disappeared from view before you break cover and search for the metallic tube. After several minutes, you discover it lodged in a jagged outcrop protruding from the wall of the ravine, some 6 yards below the rim.
    Aided by your tracking skills and natural agility, you descend the steep gully wall and retrieve the steel tube. You tuck it into your belt and then climb back to the top of the ravine before you examine what the tube contains.
    Turn to 140 .

204
    With surprising agility, the squad leader leaps from his bath tub and attacks you with the butt of his empty pistol. In the ensuing struggle, you deal him a deep and mortal wound to the chest. The force of your blow sends him tumbling backwards to collide with the tub. It tips over and a torrent of water cascades into the fire. His dying cries mingle with the loud hissing of steam as the bath water extinguishes the fire and sizzles on the red-hot grate.
    You sheathe your blade and your Kai senses tell you that you are now very close to the Claw of Naar. You look at your Siyenese Compass once again, and you see that its needle is pointing to a painting which hangs above the fireplace.
    To continue, turn to 137 .

206
    You observe that the bridge at Zuda is occupied by Bhanarian soldiers. Their tented encampments are dotted around the approach road and river bank, and the line of their supply wagons stretches away to the west.
    The tiger's-head flag of Autarch Sejanoz now flies over Zuda. This border town has been overrun by his army within the last 24 hours. At first you suspect that this could be the start of a war between Bhanar and Chai, but your Kai senses tell you that this is no ordinary military operation. This army has come here for one purpose — to ensure the recovery of the Claw of Naar.

    You hold sombre council with the rangers and try to determine how best to proceed from here. ‘I propose we try to reach the Chai Wall,’ says Gildas, and his men readily agree. Having never heard of this edifice, you ask Gildas to explain. ‘The Chai Wall is a line of forts and military defences that lies 60 miles to the east of Zuda,’ he says. ‘Invasion from Bhanar has long been a threat to Chai, but its ancient ruler — Khea-khan Xo — had remarkable foresight. He constructed a formidable wall to deter Autarch Sejanoz from invading his peaceful realm. It has served Chai well for many centuries.’
    You thank Gildas for this history lesson, but you question its accuracy. ‘I was taught at the Kai Monastery that the reign of Khea-khan Xo was more than a thousand years ago. Surely his enemy then was not the same Autarch Sejanoz who rules Bhanar now?’
    ‘Ah, but he is!’ replies Gildas. ‘Sejanoz has ruled this land for 3,000 years. Legend says that he entered into a pact with Agarash the Damned. In return for his soul he received … immortality.’
    As you look upon the flag of Autarch Sejanoz fluttering high above the buildings of Zuda, a growing sense of foreboding creeps upon you and it leaves a chill in your blood.
    To continue, turn to 184 .

208
    The woman launches a bolt of psychic energy that strikes at the core of your mind. Fortunately, your mental defences prove strong enough to save you from sustaining any serious damage from this opportunistic assault: lose 2 ENDURANCE points.
    To continue, turn to 96 .

209
    You shout at the rangers, commanding them to hold their fire, but it is already too late. Desperately you throw yourself to the ground as their feathered shafts come streaking towards you. Two of their arrows clip and gouge your flesh as you strike the stone floor and roll to a halt: lose 4 ENDURANCE points.
    If you have survived this wounding, turn to 269