lightning-swift reactions save you from being crushed to death as you are blown onto its jagged, volcanic edge.
You survive the impact and are able to haul yourself out of the vent and climb safely onto a surface that you assume to be the roof of the cavern. Seeking shelter from the raging crosswinds, you squeeze yourself into a hollow in the porous rock from where you are able to take stock of your new surroundings. The sight makes you gasp, for it is a view that truly rivals the fertile wonders of the cavern below.
Turn to 239 .
85
‘Surely the great master of all the Kai is not a coward?’ sneers Wolf's Bane, taunting you for your refusal to accept his challenge. ‘Are you not brave enough to prove your worth?’
‘I have no fear of you, impostor,’ you retort. ‘I simply do not trust you to fight with honour.’
‘If you should win the duel, Lone Wolf, you will be returned to Tyso — of that you have my word. And the word of my master.’
‘Both equally worthless,’ you reply, coolly.
For a few moments you stare into your adversary's murderous eyes and sense that every word of his pledge is a lie. Yet you know that your options are limited. If you do not fight this duel, he will be sure to summon his minions to capture and kill you. There is nothing to gain by refusing his challenge and so, with reluctance, you accept.
Turn to 304 .
86
The arrow soars over your shoulder and lodges itself in the tangle of vines that hang down in front of the cave mouth. You spring to your feet and swiftly your sharp eyes pinpoint the place where the arrow emerged from the jungle perimeter. When you magnify your vision you see the face of your enemy, Wolf's Bane, partially hidden by a tree. He is cursing you, his teeth showing white against the deep green of the jungle. Then he sees that you have spotted him and he turns and runs, quickly disappearing into the dense undergrowth.
Determined that you are not going to allow him to escape so easily, you rush forward and give chase.
Turn to 90 .
88
Caldar removes his hand from his sword and heaves a sigh of relief. ‘Thank Ishir you've returned to us, Grand Master. Perhaps now the evil that has befallen Sommerlund will be avenged.’
The Baron summons his gaoler who unlocks the shackles that encase your wrists. Then, as the three of you hurriedly ascend from the castle dungeons to the Great Hall, Caldar and Banedon confirm the account of events that you extracted earlier from the gaoler. In addition to these facts you also learn that several days ago an angry mob, composed in the main of soldiers and citizens from Holmgard, marched upon the Kai Monastery. Firestone, the most senior of the New Order Kai, pleaded with the mob for calm. Fortunately they heeded his call and allowed him to send four Kai Masters to Tyso — the city where the impostor was last sighted. Firestone has ordered these four Kai to track down and slay the impostor as quickly as possible.
You are in no doubt that this impostor is a formidable enemy, one who could easily prove more than a match for the four young Kai. Anxious for their safety, you request that you be allowed to ride to Tyso to join with them. Banedon is in agreement, but he suggests a swifter and surer way that you may reach Tyso. Moored to the tower of Baron Caldar's castle is
Cloud-dancer
— the Guildmaster's skyship — which he places at your disposal. Gratefully you accept his generous offer.
You are keen to leave for Tyso without further delay, but before you depart, Baron Caldar offers you the chance to equip yourself with weapons and stores from his well-stocked armoury.
If you wish to accept the Baron's offer, turn to 149 .
If you decide to decline his offer, turn to 260 .
89
Despite your valiant efforts, you are unable to revive your mount and it dies of its wounds before reaching the ground. Unfortunately, you become entangled in its trailing wings and are unable to save yourself before the giant dragonfly
You survive the impact and are able to haul yourself out of the vent and climb safely onto a surface that you assume to be the roof of the cavern. Seeking shelter from the raging crosswinds, you squeeze yourself into a hollow in the porous rock from where you are able to take stock of your new surroundings. The sight makes you gasp, for it is a view that truly rivals the fertile wonders of the cavern below.
Turn to 239 .
85
‘Surely the great master of all the Kai is not a coward?’ sneers Wolf's Bane, taunting you for your refusal to accept his challenge. ‘Are you not brave enough to prove your worth?’
‘I have no fear of you, impostor,’ you retort. ‘I simply do not trust you to fight with honour.’
‘If you should win the duel, Lone Wolf, you will be returned to Tyso — of that you have my word. And the word of my master.’
‘Both equally worthless,’ you reply, coolly.
For a few moments you stare into your adversary's murderous eyes and sense that every word of his pledge is a lie. Yet you know that your options are limited. If you do not fight this duel, he will be sure to summon his minions to capture and kill you. There is nothing to gain by refusing his challenge and so, with reluctance, you accept.
Turn to 304 .
86
The arrow soars over your shoulder and lodges itself in the tangle of vines that hang down in front of the cave mouth. You spring to your feet and swiftly your sharp eyes pinpoint the place where the arrow emerged from the jungle perimeter. When you magnify your vision you see the face of your enemy, Wolf's Bane, partially hidden by a tree. He is cursing you, his teeth showing white against the deep green of the jungle. Then he sees that you have spotted him and he turns and runs, quickly disappearing into the dense undergrowth.
Determined that you are not going to allow him to escape so easily, you rush forward and give chase.
Turn to 90 .
88
Caldar removes his hand from his sword and heaves a sigh of relief. ‘Thank Ishir you've returned to us, Grand Master. Perhaps now the evil that has befallen Sommerlund will be avenged.’
The Baron summons his gaoler who unlocks the shackles that encase your wrists. Then, as the three of you hurriedly ascend from the castle dungeons to the Great Hall, Caldar and Banedon confirm the account of events that you extracted earlier from the gaoler. In addition to these facts you also learn that several days ago an angry mob, composed in the main of soldiers and citizens from Holmgard, marched upon the Kai Monastery. Firestone, the most senior of the New Order Kai, pleaded with the mob for calm. Fortunately they heeded his call and allowed him to send four Kai Masters to Tyso — the city where the impostor was last sighted. Firestone has ordered these four Kai to track down and slay the impostor as quickly as possible.
You are in no doubt that this impostor is a formidable enemy, one who could easily prove more than a match for the four young Kai. Anxious for their safety, you request that you be allowed to ride to Tyso to join with them. Banedon is in agreement, but he suggests a swifter and surer way that you may reach Tyso. Moored to the tower of Baron Caldar's castle is
Cloud-dancer
— the Guildmaster's skyship — which he places at your disposal. Gratefully you accept his generous offer.
You are keen to leave for Tyso without further delay, but before you depart, Baron Caldar offers you the chance to equip yourself with weapons and stores from his well-stocked armoury.
If you wish to accept the Baron's offer, turn to 149 .
If you decide to decline his offer, turn to 260 .
89
Despite your valiant efforts, you are unable to revive your mount and it dies of its wounds before reaching the ground. Unfortunately, you become entangled in its trailing wings and are unable to save yourself before the giant dragonfly
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