.
3
Using your Kai skill you command the sinister reptilian to halt and return to its lair. Immediately, the rustle of its scaly body ceases: it is losing interest now that it can no longer detect your scent. It turns and slithers away, and you hurry up the stairs towards the surface.
Turn to 70 .
4
You leave Serocca's chamber and follow T'uk T'ron as he leads you out of the tower and along a busy street towards the city's main square. Three gleaming bronze chariots, each drawn by a team of strange, horse-like creatures called onipa, are ready and waiting to take you to Tolakos. With the Ookor captain you climb aboard the leading chariot and grab the hand-rail as its driver cracks his whip. The onipa surge forward and, in a cloud of thick dust, the chariots race out of the city and along a stony road that cuts through the centre of the valley beyond.
Three hours pass before you catch sight of a village on the road ahead. T'uk T'ron grins and points repeatedly at his open mouth. ‘You want eat here?’ he says, shouting to make himself heard above the incessant rattling of the chariot wheels.
If you wish to stop at the Ookor village for a meal, turn to 124 .
If you wish to press on to Tolakos without stopping, turn to 258 .
6
Puzzled by its purpose, you step back from the monolith in order to look at it in its entirety. You have taken less than a dozen steps when you hear the rustle of foliage: you are not alone.
Turn to 343 .
8
You raise the sword and essay a cut or two to assess its worth. It is a fine weapon, skilfully crafted by an expert smith. Its hilt is bejewelled with emeralds and the curvy blade is engraved with a spectacular fiery dragon. At once you recognize the design and your hopes of retrieving the last Lorestone are revived. It is identical to the symbol you first saw in the Table of Visions: the mark that emblazoned the stone gate of Haagadar.
You focus your Kai skills on the blade and they confirm your suspicions. The scarlet warrior came from Haagadar, and it is to that distant city that his black-winged mount is now returning with the last Lorestone of Nyxator.
Turn to 246 .
10
The hack of weapons and the ghastly howls of the attacking Chaos-creatures grow louder. The battle noise, especially the dying screams of the Ookor, play upon your mind as you run for the safety of the hills. When eventually you reach the first ridge, you look back at the bridge guiltily in the hope of seeing T'uk T'ron and his guards victorious. But your hope is in vain, for the only creatures alive and triumphant are the grey horde now feasting ghoulishly on the slain.
Remorse clouds your mind and your senses give no forewarning of the menace skulking nearby. From behind a moss-covered boulder emerge six hideous monstrosities, crouched and snarling, each with the fire of chaos burning in their evil eyes. With a blood-curdling yowl they fall upon you and drag you to your knees.
Agtah Pack: COMBAT SKILL 34 ENDURANCE 40
These creatures are immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge). Owing to the surprise and ferocity of their attack, you are unable to unsheathe a weapon and must fight the first two rounds of combat unarmed.
If you win the combat, turn to 114 .
11
The pain fades but it is replaced by a fearful numbness that drains the strength from your limbs. Odel's face and the canopy of dense branches swirl and grow dim as the toxins of the deadly orange Khetu Spore buds poison your blood. You sink into a deep sleep — a sleep from which you will never awaken.
Your life and your quest end here.
12
Hastily you tip your provisions onto the wet, flagstoned floor and run up the stairs as fast as your legs will carry you. Your quick thinking pays off: the gigantic sewer snake stops to consume your food, enabling you to escape.
Turn to 70 .
15
The scouts spin on their heels to face you, raising their forearms in reflex action at your sudden appearance. ‘Hold it!’ snaps one of them to his