between them, and their foul curses ring in your ears. The guards halt before a huge door of iron and unlock the manacles that encase your bruised and bloodied wrists. The points of their spears never wander far from your throat, discouraging any attempt at escape. The door rumbles open, and a cheer goes up as you are pushed head-first into a foul-smelling pit.
‘Welcome to the maze,’ sneers the chilling voice of Lord Zahda from somewhere high above your head. You struggle to your feet and peer up at a ceiling of swirling mist. A faint glow is gradually taking shape, condensing and forming into the likeness of a human skull. Baleful green eyes stare down at you from bony sockets, and a powdered wig, like that of a high court judge, sits squarely upon its fleshless head.
‘You came here to kill but your plans have been foiled and now you must face the consequence,’ echoes a voice in the skull. ‘You have been sentenced to enter the Maze of Zahda. If you escape, your life may be spared; if you fail then you will surely die — a fitting end for one who came here in search of death.’
The skull retreats into the mist, and a deathly silence fills the pit. A semicircular shadow forms on the wall ahead; it grows larger and darker until it resembles the mouth of a cave or tunnel. Suddenly a gust of chill air whistles from out of this darkness, and you realize that you are staring at the entrance to the maze.
‘Enter!’ orders the voice. ‘Enter or die where you stand!’ It is no idle threat. A crossbow bolt slams into the sand barely inches from your feet, and the click of a steel drawstring warns that another could follow if you disobey the command. Reluctantly, you step forward and enter the Maze of Zahda.
Turn to 111 .
290
You follow him to the end of the cell block corridor, the angry shouts of Zahda's gaolers ringing in your ears. A staircase looms ahead, descending to a lower level, but it is guarded by a grim-faced Beastman, armed with an axe. Double all ENDURANCE points lost by your enemy during this combat, for the Beastman is also being attacked by your newfound partner.
Beastman Gaoler: COMBAT SKILL 17 ENDURANCE 22
If you win the combat, turn to 220 .
292
The air becomes thinner, and slowly, painfully, you weaken and collapse. Consciousness soon fades and you are spared the agonies of death by suffocation.
Your life and your quest end here.
293
Stealthily, you cross the cracked, flagstoned floor of the Great Hall, your muscles and nerves tensed for the sounds of danger. The constant sound of dripping water and the howl of the storm add to the utter desolation of the chamber. A thorny jungle of briars climbs the walls with greedy claws, coiling around the rotten frames of paintings and weaving through damp and mouldering tapestries.
Suspended above the fireplace is a great Anarian broadsword, its pitted steel blade pointing to one side. Your eyes travel along the blade to the shadows of the fireplace, and you notice something lying in the grate. Moving nearer, you see that it is the body of a dead man. Behind it is a panel, wedged open by the corpse, and, peering into the gloomy opening, you can just make out some stairs disappearing down into the darkness.
Illustration XVII —The body of a dead man is lying in the fireplace; behind him, a panel is wedged open and you can just make out some stairs disappearing into the darkness.
If you wish to examine the dead body, turn to 146 .
If you wish to explore the secret passage, turn to 11 .
296
Your killing blow severs the Lekhor's head, sending it spinning into the cold black waters below. A wave of shock ripples through its body, and suddenly you are falling, its limp torso still gripped between your feet. Seconds later you hit the lake with a loud splash and sink like a stone.
Turn to 158 .
299
The warrior leaps to safety as you draw your weapon and face the snarling enemy. ‘Brave fool!’ you hear him cry, his footfalls fading
‘Welcome to the maze,’ sneers the chilling voice of Lord Zahda from somewhere high above your head. You struggle to your feet and peer up at a ceiling of swirling mist. A faint glow is gradually taking shape, condensing and forming into the likeness of a human skull. Baleful green eyes stare down at you from bony sockets, and a powdered wig, like that of a high court judge, sits squarely upon its fleshless head.
‘You came here to kill but your plans have been foiled and now you must face the consequence,’ echoes a voice in the skull. ‘You have been sentenced to enter the Maze of Zahda. If you escape, your life may be spared; if you fail then you will surely die — a fitting end for one who came here in search of death.’
The skull retreats into the mist, and a deathly silence fills the pit. A semicircular shadow forms on the wall ahead; it grows larger and darker until it resembles the mouth of a cave or tunnel. Suddenly a gust of chill air whistles from out of this darkness, and you realize that you are staring at the entrance to the maze.
‘Enter!’ orders the voice. ‘Enter or die where you stand!’ It is no idle threat. A crossbow bolt slams into the sand barely inches from your feet, and the click of a steel drawstring warns that another could follow if you disobey the command. Reluctantly, you step forward and enter the Maze of Zahda.
Turn to 111 .
290
You follow him to the end of the cell block corridor, the angry shouts of Zahda's gaolers ringing in your ears. A staircase looms ahead, descending to a lower level, but it is guarded by a grim-faced Beastman, armed with an axe. Double all ENDURANCE points lost by your enemy during this combat, for the Beastman is also being attacked by your newfound partner.
Beastman Gaoler: COMBAT SKILL 17 ENDURANCE 22
If you win the combat, turn to 220 .
292
The air becomes thinner, and slowly, painfully, you weaken and collapse. Consciousness soon fades and you are spared the agonies of death by suffocation.
Your life and your quest end here.
293
Stealthily, you cross the cracked, flagstoned floor of the Great Hall, your muscles and nerves tensed for the sounds of danger. The constant sound of dripping water and the howl of the storm add to the utter desolation of the chamber. A thorny jungle of briars climbs the walls with greedy claws, coiling around the rotten frames of paintings and weaving through damp and mouldering tapestries.
Suspended above the fireplace is a great Anarian broadsword, its pitted steel blade pointing to one side. Your eyes travel along the blade to the shadows of the fireplace, and you notice something lying in the grate. Moving nearer, you see that it is the body of a dead man. Behind it is a panel, wedged open by the corpse, and, peering into the gloomy opening, you can just make out some stairs disappearing down into the darkness.
Illustration XVII —The body of a dead man is lying in the fireplace; behind him, a panel is wedged open and you can just make out some stairs disappearing into the darkness.
If you wish to examine the dead body, turn to 146 .
If you wish to explore the secret passage, turn to 11 .
296
Your killing blow severs the Lekhor's head, sending it spinning into the cold black waters below. A wave of shock ripples through its body, and suddenly you are falling, its limp torso still gripped between your feet. Seconds later you hit the lake with a loud splash and sink like a stone.
Turn to 158 .
299
The warrior leaps to safety as you draw your weapon and face the snarling enemy. ‘Brave fool!’ you hear him cry, his footfalls fading
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