Shadow on the Sand Page 15

  If you wish to question the vaxeler about Tipasa the Wanderer, turn to 356.

  If you wish to leave the cave and press on towards Ikaresh, turn to 281.

  322

  The stairs are high and steep. You gasp for breath and force your aching legs to climb, for the Drakkarim are less than a dozen steps behind you. At the top of the tower, an open arch leads out onto a platform where a huge kettledrum stands. This is used by the tower guard to send messages to the other palace towers. A bleached hide is stretched across its surface and a black wooden beater hangs from the side.

  If you wish to push the drum down the tower stairs, turn to 329.

  If you prefer to ignore the drum and escape out onto the platform, turn to 387.

  323

  The explosion is followed by a huge cloud of smoke, which engulfs a cabin perched on the rear deck. As the noise rumbles across the desolate salt-plain, you hear the agonizing shriek of a wounded Kraan; it spirals past the platform, a ragged hole rent in its broken wing.

  Illustration XIX—The smoke clears to reveal the grinning face of a dwarf at the cabin window.

  The smoke clears to reveal the grinning face of a dwarf at the cabin window. A smear of soot blackens his rosy cheeks and exaggerates the whiteness of his crooked teeth. He is holding a tube of smoking steel that you assume to be a magic staff, until you notice that each of the dwarf crew carry identical staves. As they point them at the swooping Kraan, gouts of smoke and flame bellow from their tips. Suddenly you recognize the weapons and their wielders — they are dwarves from the mountain kingdom of Bor, armed with one of the inventions for which these ingenious artisans are justly famous throughout Magnamund.

  The Kraan are terrified by the noise; they turn their leathery tails and fly away, their Drakkarim riders powerless to stop them. The primitive guns have claimed only one victim, but nevertheless, they have driven off the enemy and saved the skyship from disaster.

  Banedon steers the craft about, banking steeply until the ship faces the darkening peaks of the southern mountains and the distinct V-shaped cleft of the Dahir Pass.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table.

  If the number you have picked is 0–2, turn to 250.

  If it is 3–9, turn to 312.

  324

  You are less than ten feet from the sentry when he senses that something is wrong. He turns to confront you just as you are making your attack.

  Drakkarim Sentry: COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 25

  If you win the combat, hide the body and enter the tomb.

  Turn to 395.

  325

  Taking care to load the Blowpipe correctly, you raise the unfamiliar weapon to your lips and take aim. The sentry is standing very still; he makes a perfect target. You inflate your cheeks and fire.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have the Kai Discipline of Weaponskill (any weapon), add 2 to the number you have picked.

  If your total is now 0–3, turn to 384.

  If your total is now 4 or more, turn to 398.

  326

  ‘Walk along the street to the Dougga Market. Behind the stables there is an alley. Tipasa lives there, in the house with the blue door.’

  As you make your way through the dancing crowd to the tavern door, you take care to keep both hands on your Belt Pouch. An embarrassed Banedon follows in your footsteps, cursing his misfortune under his breath.

  Turn to 202.

  327

  Your blow has opened a wide gash in both the Drakkar and his mount. The Kraan spins uncontrollably, discarding its black-clad rider as it spirals earthwards. With the terrible cries of the doomed Drakkar fading below, you wheel to the south to avoid being caught between the two converging squadrons of Kraan-riders.

  The quick change of direction increases the distance between you and your pursuers, but the Itikar is badly wounded and you are close to despair; your mount is losing so much blood that it could lapse into unconsciousness at any moment, dropping you like a stone onto Lake Inrahim.

  Suddenly, you spot something in the distance. It is a sight that renews your faith in miracles.

  Turn to 221.

  328

  The merchant's face beams with joy as he pockets your gold. Deduct this from your Action Chart.

  ‘The first alley on the left past the stables,’ he says. ‘He lives in the house with the blue door.’

  You hurry across the crowded marketplace towards the stables and enter the street beyond. As you turn into the rubbish-strewn alley, you see the blue door facing you at the end of the passage.

  Turn to 206.

  329

  The heavy copper drum rolls from its wooden base and crashes down the tower stair, a thunderous boom echoing from the dark as it careers on a collision course with the enemy. The screams of horror are cut short as the drum hurtles through the ranks of the Drakkarim, crushing them into the hard stone steps.

  Your quick action has scattered your pursuers, but victory turns sour when you discover that you are trapped; there are no other stairs from the platform. You have delayed the Drakkarim, but your reprieve is only temporary.

  If you possess a Rope, you can attempt to climb down to the gardens below. Turn to 305.

  If you do not possess a Rope, turn to 387.

  330

  You parry the Drakkar's blow and turn it aside, but he is quick to recover. He turns to face you and bellows a vile curse, his broadsword arcing back towards your skull.

  Drakkar: COMBAT SKILL 18 ENDURANCE 23

  If you win the combat and it lasts for 2 rounds or less, turn to 243.

  If the combat lasts more than 2 rounds, do not continue the combat but turn immediately to 394.

  331

  You have little sleep that night as you lie thinking about the quest that lies before you, haunted by the fear that the Darklords may already have found the Book of the Magnakai.

  You rise before dawn and breakfast on a meal of sheep's butter and dried milk cake, before bidding farewell to Tipasa's wife. The trek back to the Skyrider passes uneventfully, and by noon you have reached the rocky crag where the craft is moored. Nolrim is the first to greet you, but he cannot hide his disappointment that you have returned unaccompanied.

  ‘Do not worry — the answer lies here,’ says Banedon, holding up Tipasa's diary. ‘Prepare to set sail.’

  As the Skyrider rises into the clear blue sky, Banedon hands over the helm to Nolrim and bids you follow him to his quarters at the prow. For three hours he pores over his charts, making calculations, checking instrument readings, and racking his brain for the solution that will pinpoint the Tomb of the Majhan.

  ‘It's no use,’ he says, tired and exasperated. ‘I cannot fathom these numbers.’

  As you peer at the pages of Tipasa's diary, suddenly you realize that they are written in code. What Banedon had assumed to be positions of stars is a code to three numbers that give the precise location of the Tomb.

  Consult the map to help you discover the location of the Tomb of the Majhan.

  The first of the three numbers is equal to the number of oases on the trail between Ikaresh and Bir Rabalou. The second number is equal to the number of cities in Vassagonia. The third number is equal to the number of islands off the coast of Cape Kabar.

  When you have broken the code, write the numbers in order and turn to the entry number that they indicate.8

  [8] To solve this puzzle you will need to use the Map of the Empire of Vassagonia with the code instructions in mind before coming back to this section. The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. If you do not see this footnote at the bottom, you have chosen the wrong section. Come back to this section, reconsider the code and make your selection again, repeating the process until you turn to the correct section.

  332

  Leaving the arbour, you press on towards the outer wall of the arboretum. Through the dense foliage you can make out a narrow
, arched doorway that leads to an open chamber. A stairway ascends to a parapeted walkway, at the end of which is a stone door. You are halfway up the stairs when the sound of a crossbow being cocked freezes your blood. To turn back now would be suicide; you grit your teeth and bound up the stairs as a hail of crossbow fire slams into the steps on either side of you.

  Turn to 372.

  333

  You catch a glimpse of Nolrim fighting his way through a mass of red-cloaked Drakkarim, his two-handed battle-axe bringing down three of them in as many blows. He cuts a path to your side and points with his bloodstained axe to a creature hovering high above the Skyrider.

  You recognize it to be a Zlanbeast, a creature rather like a Kraan but far larger than its leathery subspecies. Upon its back sits a red-robed Vordak, a staff of black iron in its skeletal hand. There is a flash, and a stream of liquid blue flame pours from its tip.

  If you possess the Sommerswerd, turn to 258.

  If you do not have the Special Item, turn to 348.

  334

  You are in combat with two grim-faced warriors. They block the stair and you must fight both of them as one enemy.

  Tower Guards: COMBAT SKILL 17 ENDURANCE 32

  If you wish to avoid combat at any time by running back up the spiral staircase, turn to 209.

  If you win the fight, turn to 310.

  335

  As you strike the death-blow, the Dhorgaan shimmers and winks out of existence. Darklord Haakon reels back as if weakened by the death of his creation. The glowing stone falls from his hand and rolls across the chamber, coming to rest midway between you.

  If you have the Kai Discipline of Sixth Sense, turn to 204.

  If you wish to attempt to grab the stone, turn to 268.

  If you wish to ignore the stone and attack Haakon, turn to 390.

  336

  Standing at a fortified platform in the centre of the strange craft is a blond-haired young man with deep, brooding eyes. Instantly you recognize him: it is Banedon, the young Sommlending magician who gave you the Crystal Star Pendant at the ruins of Raumas, after you saved his life in a Giak ambush.

  You are so stunned by his unexpected appearance that you fail to notice the blood seeping from the Itikar's mouth; the creature is near to death. Suddenly, the great bird lets out a pitiful and agonized caw, its wings stiffen, and its head falls limp as the last flicker of life escapes from its torn body. It pitches you forward, and your stomach heaves as you plummet towards Lake Inrahim.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table.

  If the number you have picked is 0–4, turn to 374.

  If it is 5–8, turn to 254.

  If it is 9, turn to 261.

  337

  Without the breeze of the speeding Skyrider to cool you, the heat of the mountains is almost unbearable. You trudge across the loose reddish sand, your faces covered to keep the dust from choking your throats. All that seems to grow in this desolate waste is the wire-hard grass that tears at your boots and leggings.

  As you reach the outskirts of Ikaresh, you pass a small round hut where a goat is eating from a manger by the door. A man appears at the darkened doorway and bids you welcome; he touches his forehead in a salute of friendship and invites you both to enter his humble home.

  If you have the Kai Discipline of Sixth Sense, turn to 365.

  If you wish to accept his invitation, turn to 225.

  If you wish to decline his offer and continue towards Ikaresh, turn to 272.

  338

  Using your skill for unarmed combat taught to you by your Kai masters, you grab the startled guard by the throat and pitch him over the low wall at the edge of the landing. His cry of terror fills the air until he crashes into the flagstones below.

  If you wish to continue climbing the stairs towards the door of the walkway, turn to 372.

  If you wish to enter the door through which the guard came, turn to 279.

  339

  Two dwarves clamber onto the platform and hurry to their young captain's side. One flicks open a red velvet satchel strapped to his barrel-like chest, and removes a glass vial and a clean linen bandage. They attend to the wound, and, as his strength returns, Banedon listens intently to your account of the terrifying events that have led up to this meeting. As you conclude your woeful tale, Banedon speaks, his voice full of grim determination.

  ‘The future of Sommerlund rests in our hands, Lone Wolf. We must stop Darklord Haakon from destroying the Book of the Magnakai. I have heard tell of the Tomb of the Majhan from the nomads of the Dry Main. They say it is a terrible place, a place of horror and death — for what little there is left to die there. It lies beyond the Dahir, near the oasis of Bal-loftan. That is all I know, for the Majhan hid their tombs well and what few traces remained have long since disappeared beneath the shifting sands of the Dry Main.’

  Your face conveys the disappointment you feel upon hearing these words.

  ‘However, all is not lost,’ says Banedon, undaunted. ‘There is a man who can guide us there. His name is Tipasa Edarouk — “Tipasa the Wanderer”. It is he who we must seek, for he is the only man who has ever entered the Tomb of the Majhan and lived to tell the tale.’

  Turn to 302.

  340

  It takes over an hour to shake off the Adu-kaw, by which time you have been chased through most of Ikaresh. Had it not been for Banedon's timely casting of a spell of illusion, they would be after you still. You cannot help but laugh when you picture their faces, when they saw the Kalkoth leaping at them; thank the gods they did not think to question how a Kalte ice-beast came to be roaming the streets of their town.

  When you have fully recovered from the chase, you leave the narrow alley in which you have been hiding, and press on in search of Tipasa the Wanderer.

  Turn to 202.

  341

  As you step over the lifeless bodies, you notice a Copper Key on a chain around one of their necks. Grabbing the Key, you slip it into your pocket and race down the tower steps. (Mark the Key as a Special Item on your Action Chart). At the entrance, you see a crowd of Drakkarim and palace guards rushing across the bridge — certain death awaits you there. You continue down the spiral stairs towards a dim light below.

  A small fire, over which roasts a chicken on a spit, illuminates a guardroom at the base of the tower. On the back of a wrought-iron chair hangs a Canteen of Water and a Broadsword. You may take either or both of these items if you wish, but remember to mark them on your Action Chart. (The Canteen is a Backpack Item.)

  You hear the enemy thundering down the stairs; they will soon be upon you. However, a heavy wooden door in the north wall offers you another chance of escape.

  If you wish to escape from the guard room by this door, turn to 246.

  If you wish to stand and fight, turn to 231.

  342

  The delicious smell of freshly brewed jala wafts from an eating-house halfway along the avenue. Chattering voices mingle with the clink of glasses, and the wailing cry of a hungry baby fills the air.

  If you wish to enter the eating-house, turn to 296.

  If you wish to continue along the avenue, turn to 227.

  343

  You are jerked backwards in the saddle as the Itikar leaves its perch. It shrieks and caws, its wings beating as loud as thunder. A handful of Drakkarim are scattered as if they were rag dolls as the great black bird emerges from the pen and takes to the sky. You catch a glimpse of a Drakkar, his death-mask slashed in two by the bird's razor-sharp talons, as he pitches from the landing platform and tumbles to his death in the palace gardens far below.

  Illustration XX—You catch a glimpse of the Drakkar, his death-mask slashed in two, pitched from the landing platform.

  The golden domes of the Grand Palace grow smaller as the Itikar gathers speed. Soon, you have passed over the city wall and are heading out towards the shimmering salt-flats of Lake Inrahim. The land below is bathed in beautiful orange twilight, as the sun slowly sinks
behind the Dahir Mountains to the west. Elated by your escape, you throw back your head and give voice to a triumphant yell that is carried away on the chill evening wind.

  As if in answer to your cry, an echoing chorus of shrieks pierce the sky. Fear returns to your heart as you catch sight of a flock of Kraan, hideous leathery-winged fliers. Each carries a Drakkarim warrior on its back. They are over a mile behind you, but they are quickly closing the gap. Less than an hour of light remains; if you can evade them a little longer, you may be able to lose them when night falls.

  You must decide in which direction to fly, for you are now above the centre of Lake Inrahim — consult the map before making your decision.

  If you wish to steer the Itikar south towards the Dahir Pass, turn to 264.

  If you wish to head east towards the town of Chula, turn to 244.

  344

  The old man's face is a mask of putrescent green sores. The pupils of his eyes are yellow, and his ragged grey lips hang in tatters. He suffers from vaxelus, an infectious disease that rots the skin and attacks the nerves, resulting in hideous mutilation and deformity. He has been cast from his community, banished to this cave where he must eke out his last few years of life in misery and solitude.