Free The Dungeons of Torgar by Joe Dever

brilliant flash as it explodes, scattering fragments that hiss like a host of fiery snakes among the Drakkarim. The second magician drops his sphere setting off another explosion. The Drakkarim scream in pain and terror as the fragments burn everything they touch.
    Turn to 332 .

168
    The tiny nuggets of copper woven into the braids of the Bullwhip begin to glow with a strange yellow light.
    You tug it free from your pack and the phantoms give a ghastly shriek as the yellow rays scorch their unnatural forms. Unused to the sensation of pain, they recoil and take shelter in the shadows.

    The presence of the phantoms has triggered a spell that was cast upon the whip long ago by a former owner. Whenever the Bullwhip comes into contact with undead beings, it protects its owner by radiating a power that is abhorrent to them.
    The phantoms retreat but they do not disperse or abandon their attack. Their need to feed on your life-force overcomes their fear of the whip and with a terrifying howl of anger they swoop out of the trees and strike.
    Cener Ghosts: COMBAT SKILL  24    ENDURANCE  40
    These creatures are immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge). Owing to the power of the whip, add 2 points to your COMBAT SKILL for the duration of the combat.
    If you win the fight, turn to 156 .

169
    The water around the boat is stained a sickly green with the blood of the Ciquali that you have slain. However, two of the creatures have survived your murderous counterattack and have slunk beneath the bow. Suddenly there is a loud crack as a sharpened wooden stake rips through the timbers close by your feet, and a fountain of water gushes from the hole. The boat tilts violently and both you and Jarel are pitched headlong into the murky river.
    With the bloodstained water stinging your eyes, you strike out blindly in the hope of reaching the bank before you fall foul of your attackers. Cold and shaken, you eventually reach the south bank and drag yourself onto the muddy shore.
    Turn to 226 .

170
    The last of your attackers screams and falls backwards into the fire, smothering the flames and plunging the cavern into darkness. Seconds later the curtain that covers the entrance is whipped aside and in stride two partisan guards, their spears poised ready to thrust. They are blinded by the unexpected darkness and you have no difficulty slipping past them and escaping along the passage.
    At the exit from the cave you notice a patrol of partisan horsemen arriving at the camp. They dismount, tether their horses to some bushes, and walk wearily towards the main campfire. Seeing an opportunity to escape, you rush towards the bushes and snatch the reins of the nearest mount. Suddenly a cry echoes from the cave: the guards are raising the alarm. You climb into the saddle but your escape is blocked by a partisan horseman who is riding up the narrow track that leads into the camp.
    Partisan Horseman: COMBAT SKILL  17    ENDURANCE  24
    If you win the combat, turn to 239 .

171
    ‘I cannot send him,’ says the Prince, uncomfortably. ‘He is needed elsewhere. We must send another to gather the information we need.’
    The King looks displeased but rather than argue with his ally on the eve of battle, he sends instead for one of his horse scouts. The Prince breathes a quiet sigh of relief before ordering you to return to his headquarters.
    Turn to 29 .

172
    As the lumbering reptile draws near, your first reaction is to run for the safety of the stone hut, but you are prevented from doing so by the sticky, knee-deep mud. The scaly creature raises its horned snout and emits a long, croaking growl as the scent of fear wafts towards it on the breeze. Jarel unsheathes his sword and moves to your side as the monster begins its attack.
    Illustration X —The scaly Gorodon lumbers towards you.
    Gorodon: COMBAT SKILL  29    ENDURANCE  36
    Halve any ENDURANCE losses you sustain during this combat as half of the creature's attacks are directed at