Free The Kingdoms of Terror by Joe Dever Page B

having been found, but on the whole they have turned out to be fake or merely fanciful. The legend says whoever wields the Lorestone is the rightful ruler of all the Stornlands. For this reason above all others, the Lorestone is sought by many evil or unscrupulous men to further their dreams of power. If you wish to know more, you should go to Varetta. There are many learned men who have devoted their lives to the study of the Lorestone — the scholars and sages of Brass Street — they are the people to help you!’
    You thank the soldier for his help and take your leave of the company.
    If you now wish to order some food, turn to 172 .
    If you decide to go to the bar and enquire about a room for the night, turn to 232 .

231
    You help the captain to carry his purchases, which fill two large wooden boxes. As you stagger from the apothecary, he tells you he is anxious to return to the boat without delay. His men are good soldiers but poor sailors — he fears that without his watchful eye and stern command they will forget their work and drink themselves into a stupor. His fears are unfounded, for upon your return to the quay the
Kazonara
is fitted out and ready to sail.
    ‘Cast off,’ booms the captain, enjoying the novelty of his new riverboat command. ‘We'll make Rhem by nightfall.’ The captain is as good as his word. As dusk settles over the Storn, you sail into the horseshoe harbour at Rhem.
    Turn to 124 .

233
    Instantly, you recognize the old man who stands before you now, calm and smiling. It is the same old man whom you encountered in a hut on the road to Ruanon some years ago; the same man who handed you a scroll that foretold the dangers of the Chasm of Doom.
    ‘Welcome, Lone Wolf,’ he says. ‘Once again the stars have dictated that our paths would cross.’
    Turn to 6 .

234
    From within the closed helmet of black steel, a voice calls out — ‘Die, Northlander!’ The crossbow is hurled aside, and the warrior charges out of the Denka Gate, an axe held high in his hand. You cannot avoid him and must fight him to the death. Due to the speed of his attack you cannot use a Bow.
    Armoured Assassin: COMBAT SKILL  24    ENDURANCE  26
    If you win the combat, turn to 28 .

235
    In the dim light of the sewer you can just discern the outlines of the curtain wall and the streets of Tekaro on your map. The cathedral is right in the centre of the city, approximately half a mile from the point where the two rivers meet, and lying due east of the point at which you entered the sewer. You fold the map and set off again towards your objective.
    Turn to 269 .

236
    The Arrow whistles through the gloom and gouges a channel of skin and fur from the creature's skull. It shrieks in pain and paws at the wound. Although it is injured it is far from dead, and sharp claws extend from a bloodstained paw. They lash at your head and you duck only just in time to save yourself from decapitation. Hurriedly, you prepare for hand-to-hand combat before the monster strikes again.
    Turn to 343 .

237
    A crowd have gathered to watch the fight. As you strike the fatal blow, a cheer goes up and they surge forward like vultures, eager to pick the corpse clean. You and your horse are shouldered aside by the greedy mob as they strip the dead man of all his belongings.
    Repulsed by their behaviour you quickly turn and ride away from the degrading spectacle.
    Turn to 279 .

239
    As you wait, Cyrilus becomes agitated. You sense that he is scared to be left on his own after his encounter with Roark. ‘Are you bound for Varetta?’ he asks. ‘Perhaps we could share the journey? I am bound for the capital in the morning. I know the road very well and I know its dangers — it would not be wise to travel alone on such a road.’
    You pause to consider the prospect of sharing your journey with this old man. On the one hand his company would make the miles seem shorter, but on the other hand, he could prove to be a burden and slow you down.