Free Shadow on the Sand by Joe Dever Page A

to strike as the Itikar loses height and speed.
    Drakkarim Kraan-rider: COMBAT SKILL  20    ENDURANCE  28
    The Kraan and its rider are swooping on you from behind. You will only be able to fight for one round of combat before they are carried past by the momentum of their attack.
    If you lose more ENDURANCE points than the enemy in this one round combat, turn to 347 .
    If the enemy loses more ENDURANCE points than you, turn to 327 .
    If you both lose exactly the same number of ENDURANCE points, turn to 271 .

245
    You remove your Blue Stone Triangle from around your neck and press it into the indentation in the wall. It is a perfect fit. You hear the sound of stone grating on stone, and the door slowly opens to reveal a chamber. It is dimly lit, but you see that the thick dust on its marble floor is covered with innumerable footprints. As you enter, you catch sight of a rough stone throne, facing the wall on the far side of the chamber.
    Behind you the stone door slides shut with unnerving speed.
    Turn to 289 .

247
    The voyage through the Koos is breathtaking. The
Skyrider
glides between the towers of rock that rise from the valley floor with fantastic and unearthly grandeur. Far below, sulphurous water bubbles from fissures in the orange ground and streams of hissing lava carve circular channels, which glow like moats of liquid fire. You watch the sky, but there are no signs of the enemy.

    ‘Ikaresh,’ says Banedon pensively. ‘ “The Eagle's Lair”. That is where we will find Tipasa the Wanderer. It is the place of his birth and the home of his family. He roams the Dry Main, but he always returns to Ikaresh.’
    It is late afternoon when you reach the hills beyond the Koos that overlook the town of Ikaresh. Banedon moors the
Skyrider
to a pinnacle of stone, and a rope ladder is lowered to the ground. It has been decided that you and he will enter Ikaresh on foot and locate Tipasa, while Nolrim and the crew wait in hiding for you to return — the sight of the
Skyrider
hovering above the mountain town would be sure to arouse unwanted interest in your arrival.
    You and Banedon prepare yourselves for your mission by staining your skins with brown copalla berries and dressing in the grey and white robes commonly worn by the mountain people of this region. You bid farewell to Nolrim and set off across the barren hills.
    Pick in number from the Random Number Table .
    If the number you have picked is 0–2, turn to 337 .
    If it is 3–9, turn to 383 .

248
    A small, heavy-set merchant is hawking his wares from a stall set close to the archway. His small, beady eyes twinkle from beneath a ridiculously outsized turban. As you approach, he launches himself at you, desperately trying, with a flood of wild claims, to persuade you to buy his obviously inferior goods. He looks surprised when you interrupt him with your question. ‘Tipasa?’ he answers. ‘Yes, I know where he lives.’
    He holds up a gaudy waistcoat of pink and orange sackcloth and offers it to you. ‘It would make a worthy gift for your esteemed friend,’ he suggests, his eyes continually glancing at your Belt Pouch. ‘Only 5 Gold Crowns, master.’
    You realize you will first have to purchase this ridiculous garment before the merchant will tell you where Tipasa lives.
    If you wish to buy the waistcoat, pay the man 5 Gold Crowns and turn to 328 .
    If you do not want to buy the waistcoat or cannot afford to pay him 5 Gold Crowns, turn to 274 .

249
    As the Vordak dies, its body gradually dissolves into a bubbling green liquid, shrivelling the plants that lie beneath the crumbled red robe. The swish of a sword alerts you to the Drakkarim who are now closing in around their slain leader. Without hesitation, you sheathe your weapon and run for cover among the densely packed trees.
    Turn to 228 .

251
    You are fortunate that you are not struck by the blast, but even so, the blue flame scorches your hand and arm and knocks you to the floor. Lose 6 ENDURANCE