.
172
‘Come in, stranger. Welcome to my humble tavern,’ says the plump landlady of the eating house. ‘We have wine and food and rooms a-plenty.’
At this moment, you hear Maouk's men enter the plaza and cast an anxious glance towards the open door. The landlady sees that you are nervous; she points to the cellar stairs and says in a hushed voice: ‘Do not worry — we share your fear of the new Zakhan. Quickly, you must hide.’ There is no time to hesitate. Maouk's warriors are already approaching the tavern.
Turn to 16 .
175
Before you find a suitable hiding place, three Sharnazim wade into view. ‘Leave him to me, you fools!’ booms a voice, and the warriors make way for Maouk, who appears from the shadows — a dart held high in his hand. He hisses a curse and flings the missile at your chest.
Turn to 25 .
179
All manner of strange and exotic plants, oils, potions, and medicaments fill the shop windows, and the smell of the herb-filled street is intoxicating. There is a sudden bustle of activity at the end of the street. The crowd disperses, melting into the shops as if into thin air. A man stands before you, his face is streaked with sweat, his turquoise robes torn and heavily stained. It is Maouk — he has survived the Baga-darooz .
‘Were it not for the Zakhan, I would kill you here and now,’ hisses Maouk, his face a mask of hate. ‘But I will not lose my head for a cowardly Sommlending.’
His insult enrages you, but you control your anger. You sense he is not alone; eyes are watching you at every window.
If you wish to attack Maouk, turn to 197 .
If you wish to turn and run back along the street, turn to 92 .
183
The warrior's head suddenly emerges from the sewer hole. He lashes at your legs, tearing a nasty gash in your calf. You lose 2 ENDURANCE points. In anger and pain, you raise your foot and stamp on the man's head with all your strength. He screams and falls back into the sewer, and you hear a loud, resounding splash. You replace the stone lid and drag a heavy barrel across it before making your way through the maze of city streets.
All hope of signing a peace treaty with the new Zakhan has vanished; your only concern now is to escape from Barrakeesh and, somehow, return to Sommerlund as quickly as possible. Eventually you reach a busy market square. Your eye is caught by a sign hanging above the side entrance to large building:
BARRAKEESH PUBLIC BATHS
By this time, the smell of your clothes is making you feel quite ill. You have no hesitation in opening the door and slipping inside.
Turn to 90 .
184
As you stare out across the harbour, you notice a large, white-domed warehouse near to the water's edge. A platform on the upper floor overhangs a merchant dhow moored at the quay below. On this platform are several earthenware tuns: huge spice containers destined for the trading emporia of Ragadorn. You focus your attention on one of these tuns and concentrate all your Kai skill into making it move. Sweat pours down your face from the strain, but you soon hear a distant crash that confirms your success. The tun has fallen and shattered on the deck of the dhow.
Turn to 153 .
185
The footsteps grow louder and then suddenly stop. You hear whispering and Maouk slowly appears from the shadows, his henchmen at his heels. ‘Caught like a wolf in the trap,’ he sniggers, a dart held high in his sinewy fist. He hisses a curse and flings the missile at your chest.
Turn to 25 .
187
You recognize the creature; it is a Kwaraz, a giant, creeping reptile. Kwaraz are native to the Maakenmire swamp, hundreds of miles to the west of Vassagonia, but they thrive in any hot, damp, and fetid environment, and it strikes you that the Baga-darooz sewer is an ideal breeding ground for these deadly beasts. The Kwaraz moves along the ceiling, gripping the stone with its long, curved claws — its oval eyes opening wider and wider.
Kwaraz are very susceptible to psychic power. By using your Kai
172
‘Come in, stranger. Welcome to my humble tavern,’ says the plump landlady of the eating house. ‘We have wine and food and rooms a-plenty.’
At this moment, you hear Maouk's men enter the plaza and cast an anxious glance towards the open door. The landlady sees that you are nervous; she points to the cellar stairs and says in a hushed voice: ‘Do not worry — we share your fear of the new Zakhan. Quickly, you must hide.’ There is no time to hesitate. Maouk's warriors are already approaching the tavern.
Turn to 16 .
175
Before you find a suitable hiding place, three Sharnazim wade into view. ‘Leave him to me, you fools!’ booms a voice, and the warriors make way for Maouk, who appears from the shadows — a dart held high in his hand. He hisses a curse and flings the missile at your chest.
Turn to 25 .
179
All manner of strange and exotic plants, oils, potions, and medicaments fill the shop windows, and the smell of the herb-filled street is intoxicating. There is a sudden bustle of activity at the end of the street. The crowd disperses, melting into the shops as if into thin air. A man stands before you, his face is streaked with sweat, his turquoise robes torn and heavily stained. It is Maouk — he has survived the Baga-darooz .
‘Were it not for the Zakhan, I would kill you here and now,’ hisses Maouk, his face a mask of hate. ‘But I will not lose my head for a cowardly Sommlending.’
His insult enrages you, but you control your anger. You sense he is not alone; eyes are watching you at every window.
If you wish to attack Maouk, turn to 197 .
If you wish to turn and run back along the street, turn to 92 .
183
The warrior's head suddenly emerges from the sewer hole. He lashes at your legs, tearing a nasty gash in your calf. You lose 2 ENDURANCE points. In anger and pain, you raise your foot and stamp on the man's head with all your strength. He screams and falls back into the sewer, and you hear a loud, resounding splash. You replace the stone lid and drag a heavy barrel across it before making your way through the maze of city streets.
All hope of signing a peace treaty with the new Zakhan has vanished; your only concern now is to escape from Barrakeesh and, somehow, return to Sommerlund as quickly as possible. Eventually you reach a busy market square. Your eye is caught by a sign hanging above the side entrance to large building:
BARRAKEESH PUBLIC BATHS
By this time, the smell of your clothes is making you feel quite ill. You have no hesitation in opening the door and slipping inside.
Turn to 90 .
184
As you stare out across the harbour, you notice a large, white-domed warehouse near to the water's edge. A platform on the upper floor overhangs a merchant dhow moored at the quay below. On this platform are several earthenware tuns: huge spice containers destined for the trading emporia of Ragadorn. You focus your attention on one of these tuns and concentrate all your Kai skill into making it move. Sweat pours down your face from the strain, but you soon hear a distant crash that confirms your success. The tun has fallen and shattered on the deck of the dhow.
Turn to 153 .
185
The footsteps grow louder and then suddenly stop. You hear whispering and Maouk slowly appears from the shadows, his henchmen at his heels. ‘Caught like a wolf in the trap,’ he sniggers, a dart held high in his sinewy fist. He hisses a curse and flings the missile at your chest.
Turn to 25 .
187
You recognize the creature; it is a Kwaraz, a giant, creeping reptile. Kwaraz are native to the Maakenmire swamp, hundreds of miles to the west of Vassagonia, but they thrive in any hot, damp, and fetid environment, and it strikes you that the Baga-darooz sewer is an ideal breeding ground for these deadly beasts. The Kwaraz moves along the ceiling, gripping the stone with its long, curved claws — its oval eyes opening wider and wider.
Kwaraz are very susceptible to psychic power. By using your Kai
Similar Books
