already reached the ruined perimeter of Ruanon and are now creeping forward under cover of the broken cottage walls. You shout orders to D'Val's men to defend the barricade, but the enemy are less than one hundred yards from the wall; you are afraid it might be too late to repel their attack.
Turn to 186 .
256
You slip many times on the rickety bridge but eventually make your way across to the other side. You can just make out the jagged tunnel wall by the faint light cast by a swarm of mine flies. You press onwards, but you are now so tired that you are soon forced to stop and sleep.
Many hours pass before you awake and continue your exploration.
Turn to 309 .
259
‘Go away!’ shouts a nervous voice. ‘We're a tavern, not a barracks!’ shouts another. You try to reason with them but they are adamant; they will not let you enter. You have no choice but to continue along the highway.
Turn to 141 .
260
The Warhounds spread out and stream towards the barricade, their eyes aflame with evil intent. A group of five snarling dogs tear through the wall of sacks and casks and engulf the soldiers around you. Lashing out, you dispatch two of the loathsome dogs with one swipe, but in the heat of battle you fail to notice the Warhounds that are diving towards your back. They pitch you forward into the collapsed barricade; before you can free yourself, they have sunk their fangs into your legs.
Vassagonian Warhounds: COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 30
If you are still alive after 3 rounds of combat or if you have won in the first three rounds, turn to 311 .
261
On the first body that you search you find:
8 Gold Crowns
Enough food for 1 Meal
You are about to search the others when you hear the sound of running footsteps approaching from the other side of the chamber. You pull the rope once more and breathe a sigh of relief as the portcullis rises into the ceiling. Rolling under the widening gap, you jump to your feet and make a hasty escape along the tunnel.
Turn to 348 .
262
You leap forward to strike, but the bandit rears his steed to avert your attack. You feel the horse's flailing hooves crash down on your head, and you are quickly trampled into the blood-soaked ground. Concussed and mortally wounded, the last thing that you remember of this world is the evil sneer of the bandit horseman as he raises his longsword for the death-blow.
Your life and your mission end here.
265
There is no time to search the bodies. Other patrols have been alerted by the struggle and are now hacking their way through the trees to reach you. Parting the bloodstained foliage, you leap from the trees and run for Ruanon.
Turn to 307 .
266
‘We've heard nothing for nearly a month,’ he says, shaking his bearded face from side to side. ‘Some horsemen from your country passed here about that time, but since then all we have seen are a travelling band of troubadours from Cloeasia and those accursed bandits.’
The tavern-keeper's sons each take it in turn to sit watch at the arrow slits, so that you and your men can get some sleep.
Turn to 324 .
267
A terrible pain racks your chest as you are thrown backwards by the force of the crossbow bolt. You claw at the unyielding shaft, catching a glimpse of the face of an enemy guard as he raises his sword to deliver the coup de grâce .
Your life and your mission end here.
268
A thorough search of the two guards reveals the following items:
4 Gold Crowns
Spear
Broadsword
Iron Key
Brass Key
Enough food for 2 Meals
Potion of Red Liquid
You recognize the liquid to be Laumspur, a potion of healing. If swallowed after combat, it will restore 4 ENDURANCE points. You may take any of the above items but be sure to mark them on your Action Chart .
Set into the north wall of the well chamber is a large iron door. Next to the door, a stone archway leads to a spiral staircase.
If you wish to examine the iron door, turn to 118 .
If you wish to ascend the spiral stairs, turn to 170 .
If