just arrived in the city,’ says Banedon. ‘We know nothing about your missing gold.’
Contemptuously, the mercenary leader hurls the trembling men aside and reaches for his sword. ‘We too have only just arrived. Our silver was stolen during our march here.’ He steps back a pace and draws his blade. ‘Take 'em, lads!’ he cries, and leads the attack.
Deldenian Mercenaries: COMBAT SKILL 26 ENDURANCE 34
If you wish to evade combat after one round, turn to 223 .
If you stay and win the combat, turn to 174 .
128
The Zakhan gloats over your pain and moves forward to exploit his advantage. You grit your teeth and raise your sword to defend yourself against his attack. You are aware of the Zakhan's troops fighting a desperate battle at the West Gate, and you know that you must defeat him or the city will be lost.
Zakhan Kimah: COMBAT SKILL 39 ENDURANCE 46
He is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge.
If you win the combat, turn to 350 .
129
In the depths of the tunnel, a glistening form is slowly slinking into view. Gnarled plates like armour encase its barrel chest, and lidless slit-pupilled eyes stare coldly from beneath its ridged forehead. A low, grating rumble issues from its fanged mouth as it increases its pace and makes ready to pounce.
Illustration VIII —The glistening form of the Cave Leekhon slinks into view.
Cave Leekhon: COMBAT SKILL 27 ENDURANCE 38
This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge). Unless you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Animal Control, reduce your COMBAT SKILL by 2 points for the duration of the combat.
If you win the fight, turn to 169 .
131
The iron door to the tower is unlocked and you enter unopposed. At the top of the steep stone steps you find a ladder to a trapdoor. Quickly you climb the ladder and emerge onto the roof. ‘By the gods!’ exclaims Banedon, when you appear. ‘My prayers have been answered. You are alive, Lone Wolf. You are alive!’ Tears of joy fill his eyes as he welcomes your return warmly.
He and his mentor Chiban have been viewing the siege from this vantage point for the last three days. From this position they control the movement of the few reserves allocated to the north and west city walls, using them to fill in the gaps where the enemy's attacks have weakened the defences. Banedon recounts how the siege has progressed; how twice the enemy has broken into the city and been repelled by the determined defenders. Attacks from the air have set the city ablaze, but the enemy has lost great numbers of their flying Kraan, and now they are too weak to dare use the few that remain. The Anarium was destroyed in the first few hours of the siege and many senators lost their lives, including Senator Chil and President Toltuda.
Then he asks of your quest and is overjoyed to hear of its success. ‘The gods smile on you, Lone Wolf. So long as you live there is hope for us all.’
Turn to 258 .
135
Amid chaos and confusion you leave the ale cellar through a concealed door in the wall of the arch. It opens on to a sloping passage that descends to a tunnel lit by oil-soaked torches fixed at random along the tiled walls. A foul smell assails your nostrils — the unmistakable stench of an underground sewer. You follow Sogh along a narrow ledge that runs parallel to a sluggish sewage channel, taking care not to slip on the slime-encrusted tiles. After a few minutes, he halts beneath one of the sputtering torches and presses its rusty iron bracket. There is a grating rumble and a section of the tunnel wall opens to reveal an amazing sight.
Turn to 243 .
136
The burly sergeant snatches the parchment from your hand and studies it carefully. Without raising his head he asks how two Northlanders came to possess a personal invitation to one of Tahou's most respected households. When Banedon explains your meeting with Lortha, and how he was once a student of Chiban, her husband, the sergeant somewhat reluctantly accepts
Contemptuously, the mercenary leader hurls the trembling men aside and reaches for his sword. ‘We too have only just arrived. Our silver was stolen during our march here.’ He steps back a pace and draws his blade. ‘Take 'em, lads!’ he cries, and leads the attack.
Deldenian Mercenaries: COMBAT SKILL 26 ENDURANCE 34
If you wish to evade combat after one round, turn to 223 .
If you stay and win the combat, turn to 174 .
128
The Zakhan gloats over your pain and moves forward to exploit his advantage. You grit your teeth and raise your sword to defend yourself against his attack. You are aware of the Zakhan's troops fighting a desperate battle at the West Gate, and you know that you must defeat him or the city will be lost.
Zakhan Kimah: COMBAT SKILL 39 ENDURANCE 46
He is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge.
If you win the combat, turn to 350 .
129
In the depths of the tunnel, a glistening form is slowly slinking into view. Gnarled plates like armour encase its barrel chest, and lidless slit-pupilled eyes stare coldly from beneath its ridged forehead. A low, grating rumble issues from its fanged mouth as it increases its pace and makes ready to pounce.
Illustration VIII —The glistening form of the Cave Leekhon slinks into view.
Cave Leekhon: COMBAT SKILL 27 ENDURANCE 38
This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge). Unless you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Animal Control, reduce your COMBAT SKILL by 2 points for the duration of the combat.
If you win the fight, turn to 169 .
131
The iron door to the tower is unlocked and you enter unopposed. At the top of the steep stone steps you find a ladder to a trapdoor. Quickly you climb the ladder and emerge onto the roof. ‘By the gods!’ exclaims Banedon, when you appear. ‘My prayers have been answered. You are alive, Lone Wolf. You are alive!’ Tears of joy fill his eyes as he welcomes your return warmly.
He and his mentor Chiban have been viewing the siege from this vantage point for the last three days. From this position they control the movement of the few reserves allocated to the north and west city walls, using them to fill in the gaps where the enemy's attacks have weakened the defences. Banedon recounts how the siege has progressed; how twice the enemy has broken into the city and been repelled by the determined defenders. Attacks from the air have set the city ablaze, but the enemy has lost great numbers of their flying Kraan, and now they are too weak to dare use the few that remain. The Anarium was destroyed in the first few hours of the siege and many senators lost their lives, including Senator Chil and President Toltuda.
Then he asks of your quest and is overjoyed to hear of its success. ‘The gods smile on you, Lone Wolf. So long as you live there is hope for us all.’
Turn to 258 .
135
Amid chaos and confusion you leave the ale cellar through a concealed door in the wall of the arch. It opens on to a sloping passage that descends to a tunnel lit by oil-soaked torches fixed at random along the tiled walls. A foul smell assails your nostrils — the unmistakable stench of an underground sewer. You follow Sogh along a narrow ledge that runs parallel to a sluggish sewage channel, taking care not to slip on the slime-encrusted tiles. After a few minutes, he halts beneath one of the sputtering torches and presses its rusty iron bracket. There is a grating rumble and a section of the tunnel wall opens to reveal an amazing sight.
Turn to 243 .
136
The burly sergeant snatches the parchment from your hand and studies it carefully. Without raising his head he asks how two Northlanders came to possess a personal invitation to one of Tahou's most respected households. When Banedon explains your meeting with Lortha, and how he was once a student of Chiban, her husband, the sergeant somewhat reluctantly accepts
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