sinister aspect.
A gasp of terror arises from the crew when this spider-like monstrosity opens its scarlet maw and emits a high-pitched chittering shriek. As the enemy vessel speeds nearer you watch with mounting dread as this hideous spider-creature raises its forelegs, as if in readiness to pounce. Furiously it rubs its forelimbs together and a mass of blue-white sparks appear at their tips. Then suddenly there is a deafening crackle of electrical power. A bolt of blazing energy shoots from the creature's maw and snakes across the water towards the crew and marines aboard your ship. The creature's attack hits its mark and the effect is swift and devastating. The crackling bolt ignites timber and sail, and leaves a dozen men sprawled dead or unconscious across the decks. Through the smoke of the burning sailcloth you see the enemy vessel bearing down to ram
The Pride of Sommerlund
. Impact is but seconds away.
Illustration V —A crackling bolt of blazing energy shoots from the creature's maw towards your ship.
If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 101 .
If you do not possess a Bow, or if you choose not to use it, turn to 270 .
76
The Deathstalker's mate howls with pain and terror as your fatal blow pierces her evil heart. She stumbles backwards, slashing at her own chest with her razor-sharp claws in a frenzied madness of anger and frustration. Then, with a final gurgling cry, death claims her and she crashes down into the dense foliage and is still. Slowly the noises of the jungle return as the nocturnal animals of this Old Kingdom sense that the terrible threat of her presence has passed.
The sun rises over the jungle and lights this steamy, humid morning. By the growing light you dig a grave in the soft earth and lay the remains of the Deathstalker's mate to rest here, among the ruins of this ancient settlement. Then you offer up a prayer to the God Kai for having bestowed upon you strength and courage enough to triumph over this creature of evil, before you mount your horse and set off along the jungle trail to Elzian.
Turn to 350 .
81
Your Arrow misses its intended mark, yet it looks set to bury itself into the creature's belly as the beast leaps into the air. Unfortunately, the spider-creature sees your onrushing missile and transforms it into ash with a burst of its electrical power.
You are about to reload your Bow and fire again when suddenly there is a tremendous crash. The ship lurches violently and you are thrown backwards across the deck.
Turn to 274 .
84
You press yourself flat against your horse's neck and listen as the archer's arrow buzzes towards you like an angry hornet. Then you feel a sharp pain in your back as its tip grazes your spine (lose 2 ENDURANCE points). For a few uncertain moments the marines believe that you have been mortally wounded, but they are quick to cheer when they see you sit up and glance over your shoulder.
Despite the stinging pain of your wound you manage a smile and you acknowledge their glad shout with a wave of your hand. Then you dig your heels into your horse's flanks once more and gallop along this avenue which leads out of Kilij.
Turn to 52 .
85
Quickly you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell Levitation and you rise into the air. Moments later, the statue crashes down and shears the surface from the steps on which, just seconds ago, you were standing. You see the statue finally reach the bottom of the stairwell where it smashes into several large segments which block the narrow doorway and fill the base of the stairwell with thick dust. You speak the words which counter the effects of the spell and feel yourself gliding down towards the cracked steps. The moment your feet touch down, you race up the stairs in pursuit of the scourge of Hikas.
Turn to 177 .
86
Your superb horsemanship keeps you from falling off. It also helps you to regain control of your steed and steer him swiftly towards the crest of the rockfall. The first boulders are
A gasp of terror arises from the crew when this spider-like monstrosity opens its scarlet maw and emits a high-pitched chittering shriek. As the enemy vessel speeds nearer you watch with mounting dread as this hideous spider-creature raises its forelegs, as if in readiness to pounce. Furiously it rubs its forelimbs together and a mass of blue-white sparks appear at their tips. Then suddenly there is a deafening crackle of electrical power. A bolt of blazing energy shoots from the creature's maw and snakes across the water towards the crew and marines aboard your ship. The creature's attack hits its mark and the effect is swift and devastating. The crackling bolt ignites timber and sail, and leaves a dozen men sprawled dead or unconscious across the decks. Through the smoke of the burning sailcloth you see the enemy vessel bearing down to ram
The Pride of Sommerlund
. Impact is but seconds away.
Illustration V —A crackling bolt of blazing energy shoots from the creature's maw towards your ship.
If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 101 .
If you do not possess a Bow, or if you choose not to use it, turn to 270 .
76
The Deathstalker's mate howls with pain and terror as your fatal blow pierces her evil heart. She stumbles backwards, slashing at her own chest with her razor-sharp claws in a frenzied madness of anger and frustration. Then, with a final gurgling cry, death claims her and she crashes down into the dense foliage and is still. Slowly the noises of the jungle return as the nocturnal animals of this Old Kingdom sense that the terrible threat of her presence has passed.
The sun rises over the jungle and lights this steamy, humid morning. By the growing light you dig a grave in the soft earth and lay the remains of the Deathstalker's mate to rest here, among the ruins of this ancient settlement. Then you offer up a prayer to the God Kai for having bestowed upon you strength and courage enough to triumph over this creature of evil, before you mount your horse and set off along the jungle trail to Elzian.
Turn to 350 .
81
Your Arrow misses its intended mark, yet it looks set to bury itself into the creature's belly as the beast leaps into the air. Unfortunately, the spider-creature sees your onrushing missile and transforms it into ash with a burst of its electrical power.
You are about to reload your Bow and fire again when suddenly there is a tremendous crash. The ship lurches violently and you are thrown backwards across the deck.
Turn to 274 .
84
You press yourself flat against your horse's neck and listen as the archer's arrow buzzes towards you like an angry hornet. Then you feel a sharp pain in your back as its tip grazes your spine (lose 2 ENDURANCE points). For a few uncertain moments the marines believe that you have been mortally wounded, but they are quick to cheer when they see you sit up and glance over your shoulder.
Despite the stinging pain of your wound you manage a smile and you acknowledge their glad shout with a wave of your hand. Then you dig your heels into your horse's flanks once more and gallop along this avenue which leads out of Kilij.
Turn to 52 .
85
Quickly you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell Levitation and you rise into the air. Moments later, the statue crashes down and shears the surface from the steps on which, just seconds ago, you were standing. You see the statue finally reach the bottom of the stairwell where it smashes into several large segments which block the narrow doorway and fill the base of the stairwell with thick dust. You speak the words which counter the effects of the spell and feel yourself gliding down towards the cracked steps. The moment your feet touch down, you race up the stairs in pursuit of the scourge of Hikas.
Turn to 177 .
86
Your superb horsemanship keeps you from falling off. It also helps you to regain control of your steed and steer him swiftly towards the crest of the rockfall. The first boulders are
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