ENDURANCE points.
Through a reddish haze, you see Paido draw a dagger and hurl it at the dwarf; it sinks into his black beard and sends him tumbling backwards. He reappears for an instant, desperately trying to dislodge the blade buried deep in his throat with his fingers, but he has suffered a fatal wound. He gurgles a death-cry and drops to the floor, his flailing arms bringing down a shelf full of bottles.
Carefully Paido raises you to your feet, supporting your weight as you stagger to the stables. Your wounded arm is streaming blood, and with every passing second, you drift towards unconsciousness.
Turn to 288 .
118
You have taken less than ten steps when your Sixth Sense warns you that to go any further would be fatal. You whisper your suspicions to Paido, and he suggests that you leave the mine and continue your journey north. Wisdom conquers curiosity: you return to the entrance and press on.
Turn to 152 .
119
All is deathly quiet as you set your empty tankard on the table. A few minutes pass and you notice that the passengers are no longer regarding you with suspicion. Instead, their stares seem complimentary, as if they were admiring you for being able to drink an ale as strong as Bor Brew.
Paido raises his tankard and takes a great mouthful of the ale of his choice — Ferina Nog. Immediately he spits it out, wiping away its insipid taste on the back of his hand. ‘Bilge juice!’ he splutters, slamming down his mug.
‘You should be a sight more careful where you empty your mouth stranger,’ growls a man seated to your right. He bends down and picks up his pointed steel helmet. With a slow and deliberate twist of his wrist he empties it of ale, pouring the contents all over Paido's feet. Your companion curses and reaches instinctively for his sword.
If you wish to take action to stop a fight breaking out, turn to 314 .
If you choose to do nothing, turn to 253 .
121
Paido's coma deepens. Shortly after midnight, his heart and brain cease to function and he slips painlessly into death. Grief fills your senses and you mourn the loss of your brave companion, but your grief soon turns to anger as you remember the foul trickery that ended his life and so nearly put an end to yours.
A rage grows within you. You take Paido's sword and vow to avenge his death by washing it in the blood of his murderers. Heedless of caution and the warning cry of your senses, you throw open the cellar door and go in search of vengeance.
You have taken only a few paces along the corridor when a terrific explosion lifts you off your feet. The monks followed your trail to the cellar and prepared a surprise for you. You have tripped a wire and activated an explosive charge set into the floor. When the monks come to inspect their handiwork, they will discover your remains lying in the rubble.
Your life and your quest end here.
124
Hanging around the dead man's neck on a silver chain is a medallion, cast in the shape of a flaming broadsword. The sound of footsteps in the next room prompts you to leave it untouched and hurry after Paido.
Turn to 273 .
126
The bargee brings a round of Chai-cheer to your table and you drink to the health of Queen Evaine of Talestria. The mood soon becomes much friendlier and you learn that the soldier, whose name is Trost, is on his way back to his post at the Tharro garrison after enjoying a week's leave with his family in Phoena.
As you drink your ale, the sound of applause rises above the hubbub of conversation. An elderly man, tall and distinguished-looking, walks slowly to the centre of the floor and bows to his audience. His pale face and silver-grey hair are a stark contrast to his richly embroidered robes of crimson and gold. He smiles warmly and introduces himself as Count Conundrum, the prince of puzzles. For your amusement, he will pose some brain-twisting conundrums. So confident is he that none will be able to answer his riddles correctly that he is offering 20 Lune to anyone who
Through a reddish haze, you see Paido draw a dagger and hurl it at the dwarf; it sinks into his black beard and sends him tumbling backwards. He reappears for an instant, desperately trying to dislodge the blade buried deep in his throat with his fingers, but he has suffered a fatal wound. He gurgles a death-cry and drops to the floor, his flailing arms bringing down a shelf full of bottles.
Carefully Paido raises you to your feet, supporting your weight as you stagger to the stables. Your wounded arm is streaming blood, and with every passing second, you drift towards unconsciousness.
Turn to 288 .
118
You have taken less than ten steps when your Sixth Sense warns you that to go any further would be fatal. You whisper your suspicions to Paido, and he suggests that you leave the mine and continue your journey north. Wisdom conquers curiosity: you return to the entrance and press on.
Turn to 152 .
119
All is deathly quiet as you set your empty tankard on the table. A few minutes pass and you notice that the passengers are no longer regarding you with suspicion. Instead, their stares seem complimentary, as if they were admiring you for being able to drink an ale as strong as Bor Brew.
Paido raises his tankard and takes a great mouthful of the ale of his choice — Ferina Nog. Immediately he spits it out, wiping away its insipid taste on the back of his hand. ‘Bilge juice!’ he splutters, slamming down his mug.
‘You should be a sight more careful where you empty your mouth stranger,’ growls a man seated to your right. He bends down and picks up his pointed steel helmet. With a slow and deliberate twist of his wrist he empties it of ale, pouring the contents all over Paido's feet. Your companion curses and reaches instinctively for his sword.
If you wish to take action to stop a fight breaking out, turn to 314 .
If you choose to do nothing, turn to 253 .
121
Paido's coma deepens. Shortly after midnight, his heart and brain cease to function and he slips painlessly into death. Grief fills your senses and you mourn the loss of your brave companion, but your grief soon turns to anger as you remember the foul trickery that ended his life and so nearly put an end to yours.
A rage grows within you. You take Paido's sword and vow to avenge his death by washing it in the blood of his murderers. Heedless of caution and the warning cry of your senses, you throw open the cellar door and go in search of vengeance.
You have taken only a few paces along the corridor when a terrific explosion lifts you off your feet. The monks followed your trail to the cellar and prepared a surprise for you. You have tripped a wire and activated an explosive charge set into the floor. When the monks come to inspect their handiwork, they will discover your remains lying in the rubble.
Your life and your quest end here.
124
Hanging around the dead man's neck on a silver chain is a medallion, cast in the shape of a flaming broadsword. The sound of footsteps in the next room prompts you to leave it untouched and hurry after Paido.
Turn to 273 .
126
The bargee brings a round of Chai-cheer to your table and you drink to the health of Queen Evaine of Talestria. The mood soon becomes much friendlier and you learn that the soldier, whose name is Trost, is on his way back to his post at the Tharro garrison after enjoying a week's leave with his family in Phoena.
As you drink your ale, the sound of applause rises above the hubbub of conversation. An elderly man, tall and distinguished-looking, walks slowly to the centre of the floor and bows to his audience. His pale face and silver-grey hair are a stark contrast to his richly embroidered robes of crimson and gold. He smiles warmly and introduces himself as Count Conundrum, the prince of puzzles. For your amusement, he will pose some brain-twisting conundrums. So confident is he that none will be able to answer his riddles correctly that he is offering 20 Lune to anyone who
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