unusual machine. ‘This,’ says Spittlethrift proudly, ‘is the Ethetron, the flying machine that will carry young Grey Star through the realms of the Daziarn, and to the Singing City to fetch our prize.’
‘Grey Star,’ says Tanith suddenly, ‘and what of me?’
Spittlethrift falters and emits an embarrassed cough, ‘Ah, yes … well … ’
‘Yes, what of Tanith?’ you demand angrily.
‘The girl stays here,’ says Crabkey, speaking for the first time in a harsh, rasping voice, ‘to make sure you keep your part of the bargain and do not fail to return.’
‘She will be perfectly safe, I assure you,’ says Spittlethrift, apologetically. ‘But surely you understand our position. What is to stop you flying away and never returning?’
‘And if I refuse?’ you snap at Spittlethrift.
‘We will not allow you to use the Ethetron or show you how to fly it,’ retorts Crabkey. ‘You will be doomed to remain within the Neverness for all eternity. You will — ’
‘You will, on the other hand,’ Spittlethrift interjects hastily, ‘receive the Ethetron as a gift from us when you return — ’
‘With the Threnogem,’ Crabkey interrupts once more, ignoring a glare of warning from Spittlethrift, who has now begun to sweat profusely. ‘And we will return Mistress Tanith to you, of course,’ he finishes. Tanith clenches her fists and glares furiously at the two little men. Both step back a little from her fiery gaze. ‘Know this, little man,’ she hisses, prodding Spittlethrift in the chest with one, long-nailed finger. ‘I am not without power. If you seek to deceive us … I'll crush you like the toad that you are! I am a Shadakine Wytch, not a mere girl to be hoarded or bartered like a piece of spare luggage!’
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ says Spittlethrift, wiping his brow with the back of his shaking hand. ‘I understand.’
You smile quietly to yourself. Tanith's angry bluff has shaken both Spittlethrift and Crabkey. Though Tanith does possess many uncanny powers taught to her while in the service of Mother Magri, a powerful Wytch in the service of the Shadakine Empire, her skills lie chiefly in her mastery of animals and nature and in a bravery that surpasses many warriors of greater stature. Tanith turns to you, the fire dying in her wild, green eyes. ‘Accept their offer, Grey Star,’ she says. ‘I do not fear this over-fed worm, or that slinking weasel.’
You sense that Tanith is far more afraid than she admits but the success of the quest is as important to her as it is to you and without the Ethetron it is unlikely that you will succeed. ‘Very well,’ you say. ‘Show me how the machine works. What must I do?’
Sullenly, Crabkey shows you the machine. Spittlethrift, pale and perspiring, remains silent, his chubby hands fluttering nervously at his side.
Turn to 116. .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
108
Immediately the Chaos-birds swarm towards you. The first flies at Tanith and instinctively you rush to protect her.
Chaos-bird: COMBAT SKILL 20 ENDURANCE 25
If you win, turn to 133 .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
109
As you touch the ground, the flying machine shatters and disintegrates. The impact kills you and your torn and broken body is thrown with the other shattered fragments across the cloud plain of the Neverness.
Your life and your quest end here.
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
110
Ready for combat and eager to maintain the element of surprise, you burst into the room. You enter a room full of mirrors and devoid of life.
Turn to 2 .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
111
You close your eyes and concentrate and, at the cost of 1 WILLPOWER point, you create your illusion. A shout attracts the guard's attention and quickly he descends the palace stairway to investigate. Silently, you ascend the stairs and enter the palace before the guard returns to his
‘Grey Star,’ says Tanith suddenly, ‘and what of me?’
Spittlethrift falters and emits an embarrassed cough, ‘Ah, yes … well … ’
‘Yes, what of Tanith?’ you demand angrily.
‘The girl stays here,’ says Crabkey, speaking for the first time in a harsh, rasping voice, ‘to make sure you keep your part of the bargain and do not fail to return.’
‘She will be perfectly safe, I assure you,’ says Spittlethrift, apologetically. ‘But surely you understand our position. What is to stop you flying away and never returning?’
‘And if I refuse?’ you snap at Spittlethrift.
‘We will not allow you to use the Ethetron or show you how to fly it,’ retorts Crabkey. ‘You will be doomed to remain within the Neverness for all eternity. You will — ’
‘You will, on the other hand,’ Spittlethrift interjects hastily, ‘receive the Ethetron as a gift from us when you return — ’
‘With the Threnogem,’ Crabkey interrupts once more, ignoring a glare of warning from Spittlethrift, who has now begun to sweat profusely. ‘And we will return Mistress Tanith to you, of course,’ he finishes. Tanith clenches her fists and glares furiously at the two little men. Both step back a little from her fiery gaze. ‘Know this, little man,’ she hisses, prodding Spittlethrift in the chest with one, long-nailed finger. ‘I am not without power. If you seek to deceive us … I'll crush you like the toad that you are! I am a Shadakine Wytch, not a mere girl to be hoarded or bartered like a piece of spare luggage!’
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ says Spittlethrift, wiping his brow with the back of his shaking hand. ‘I understand.’
You smile quietly to yourself. Tanith's angry bluff has shaken both Spittlethrift and Crabkey. Though Tanith does possess many uncanny powers taught to her while in the service of Mother Magri, a powerful Wytch in the service of the Shadakine Empire, her skills lie chiefly in her mastery of animals and nature and in a bravery that surpasses many warriors of greater stature. Tanith turns to you, the fire dying in her wild, green eyes. ‘Accept their offer, Grey Star,’ she says. ‘I do not fear this over-fed worm, or that slinking weasel.’
You sense that Tanith is far more afraid than she admits but the success of the quest is as important to her as it is to you and without the Ethetron it is unlikely that you will succeed. ‘Very well,’ you say. ‘Show me how the machine works. What must I do?’
Sullenly, Crabkey shows you the machine. Spittlethrift, pale and perspiring, remains silent, his chubby hands fluttering nervously at his side.
Turn to 116. .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
108
Immediately the Chaos-birds swarm towards you. The first flies at Tanith and instinctively you rush to protect her.
Chaos-bird: COMBAT SKILL 20 ENDURANCE 25
If you win, turn to 133 .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
109
As you touch the ground, the flying machine shatters and disintegrates. The impact kills you and your torn and broken body is thrown with the other shattered fragments across the cloud plain of the Neverness.
Your life and your quest end here.
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
110
Ready for combat and eager to maintain the element of surprise, you burst into the room. You enter a room full of mirrors and devoid of life.
Turn to 2 .
Beyond the Nightmare Gate
by Joe Dever and Ian Page
111
You close your eyes and concentrate and, at the cost of 1 WILLPOWER point, you create your illusion. A shout attracts the guard's attention and quickly he descends the palace stairway to investigate. Silently, you ascend the stairs and enter the palace before the guard returns to his
Similar Books
