Legion of Shadow (37 page)

If you defeat the mage, turn to
529
.

324

The map leads you to a cave, set into the marshy hills. To your surprise, you discover that it is filled with treasure! You may now help yourself to 100 gold crowns. If you are
a rogue or a warrior, turn to
333
. If you are a mage turn to
446
.

325

‘Two moons ago, a black rock blazed across the sky. A dark splinter of it broke away and pierced the heart of our glade. I know not the nature of its evil, but now my
magic is waning also. I can feel it . . . being drawn out of my roots. Once my magic has gone I shall become like the others.’

The tree sweeps a branch through the air, gesturing to the other withered trees that dot the wasteland. ‘That will be my fate.’

326

Quest: The count’s ball

A distant rumble of thunder announces the coming of a storm. As the skies darken towards evening, you find yourself hurrying along the narrow dirt path that winds through the
forest. The patter of cold rain forces you to huddle deeper into your cloak, your mind conjuring up images of hot food and roaring fires. According to local rumour, there is a gypsy camp somewhere
nearby. You are hoping that they will welcome a fellow traveller.

Your thoughts are interrupted by the pounding of hooves on the road behind you. You turn, just in time to see a horse-drawn carriage career around the corner of the track, its wheels rattling
over the uneven bumps and troughs. The carriage is approaching at such speed that you are forced to throw yourself out of the way, as it hurtles past, missing you by scant inches.

Angrily, you step back onto the track, brushing the dirt and dust from your clothes. The carriage continues down the track for another hundred metres, then veers over to the side, coming to a
screeching halt. The door of the riding cabin opens slightly and a white-gloved hand beckons you over.

Determined to give the driver a piece of your mind, you stride over to the carriage. Those horses could have trampled over you if it hadn’t been for your quick reflexes. As you step up to
the cabin, the door opens a little further – and you are surprised to see a young woman leaning forward on her seat, her face a mask of worry and concern. ‘Are you all right?’ she
asks.

You find yourself lost for words as you gaze into the woman’s brilliant blue eyes, framed by golden curls of blond hair. Her skin is perfect and exquisite, without line or blemish.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she says. ‘I told my driver to pick up the pace. I didn’t want to be late for Papa. He . . . I’m sorry . . .’ She puts a gloved hand to
her bosom, where you see a blood-red gem resting against her pale skin. ‘How rude of me. I should introduce myself. I am Lady Roe. My father is the count. Count Kristoe.’

There is a flash of lightning, followed by a deafening peal of thunder.

‘Oh where are my manners,’ smiles the woman. ‘Papa is having a little get-together this evening. Would you care to join us? It is the least I can do, to make up for my terrible
indiscretion.’

327

You search the bodies of the dead trogs. You may now take any/all of the following items:

A quick examination of the creatures’ camp turns up very little – just a few tatty blankets and some gnawed bones. If you have
Lorinwold’s Field Guide to
Roots, Herbs and Leaves
then you find 2 root grass growing at the side of the cave. You may pick these. (Make a note of the herbs on your hero sheet.)

Another tunnel leads out of the cave, heading north. You decide to take it, heading deeper into the underground network. Turn to
451
.

328

Solandris is waiting for you when you step out of the cave. ‘Well, are you going to help us, then?’ she snaps, looking sullenly at Bern. Talandra looks about to
reprimand her, but Bern interjects by raising a hand.

‘It was your queen who granted me my powers. I swore to use them only in defence of the forest. Last night, she came to me in a dream and begged for my aid. And that is why I am here. I am
a ranger and I can track your enemies to the ends of the world if I must. Now, I insist we do not waste time. Lead on.’

You are taken to the edge of the glade, where a patch of bloodied grass marks the site of the attack. Bern disappears into the trees – then returns only moments later. ‘There are
tracks here, leading south toward the marsh. They belong to wreekin; about seven in number by my estimate. They have about a day’s lead on us.’

‘Then what are we waiting for?’ says Solandris, drawing her daggers. ‘Let us go and kill them, and get the horn back. Before it is too late.’

Bern looks to you. ‘I will go with this one,’ he says. ‘I have a charm that I can use to give us swift flight. The two of you should stay here and protect your queen until we
return.’

Solandris looks to her leader, pouting angrily. ‘I will not stay! I want to see justice done, by my own hands!’

Talandra shakes her head. ‘No, Solandris. We are friends with the wreekin. What has happened here may not be an act of aggression or war – there may be more to this. Your anger will
only make things worse.’

Solandris gives you a sulky glare, then turns her back on the gathering. ‘So be it.’

Bern reaches into one of the pouches hanging from his belt. ‘This is glimmer dust,’ he explains, producing a vial of sparkling powder. ‘Sprinkle some on your boots, then follow
me. And,’ he offers you a wry smile, ‘try and keep up.’

You take the vial and dust some of the powder onto your boots. Suddenly, they start to glow, as a whoosh of magic spirals up around your legs, making them feel as light as air. Turn to
518
.

329

‘Ah, new little gadget of mine,’ grins the explorer. ‘Clever use of smoke and mirrors – creates an image onto parchment. Here, look at these . . .’
He digs into his jerkin pocket and pulls out a handful of small, square sheets of parchment. Each one has a picture on it, rendered in perfect detail. Most of the collection show sections of the
crater, but a couple show a short, stocky woman with long ginger hair and a beaming smile.

‘That’s Belinda,’ he says, his voice breaking. ‘Poor little lassie. It’s all my fault!’ He snatches the pictures from you and stuffs them back into his
pocket. ‘Don’t know what I’ll do if something has happened to her.’

Turn to
538
to ask another question, or
526
to begin your quest.

330

You trudge through the brackish water of the fens, towards the homely lights of the nearby town. As the ground begins to rise, you pass a wooden sign staked into the boggy
earth. It once read ‘New Hope’, but someone has painted a cross over the ‘New’ and written the word ‘No’ beside it instead.

‘No Hope.’ Somehow, this name seems more appropriate to the ramshackle settlement that sprawls across the marsh.

Built around a series of walkways, the town’s rickety buildings rise high into the cold, grey mist. Most are little more than hovels, supported by a precarious webwork of stilts and
planks. As you near, you can’t help but marvel at the size and scale of the place. Its walkways and bridges extend as far as the eye can see, quickly becoming a confusing labyrinth of
criss-crossing paths and tumbledown structures. Nearly all appear to be busy with people, hurrying through the chill fog as they go about their business.

If this is your first time visiting No Hope, turn to
213
. Otherwise, turn to
348
to view your options.

331

You ready your weapons and charge at the tree. Fast as lightning, a branch swings down from above, striking you across the shoulder and knocking you to the ground.

‘Don’t be so hasty, youngling!’ rumbles the tree. ‘I mean you no harm, and I am not ready to give up the fight just yet.’

The deep, black eyes watch you intently. ‘I admire your spirit, but I would ask that you channel your rage against something more deserving. My time will come eventually – but not by
your hand, youngling.’

332

‘No, you ain’t,’ sneers the coachman, reaching for the club at his waist. ‘You’re just some poor lonely traveller that got lost in the
woods.’

The guard by the door strides over, his armour jingling. ‘Do we have a problem ’ere?’ he asks, looking you up and down with contempt. He stabs a finger into your chest.
‘Hey, I asked yer a question dumb-dumb.’

333

Amongst the mounds of gold and jewels, you find a number of interesting items. You may now choose one of the following:

Having searched through the cave and filled your pockets with gold, you decide that it is time to leave and continue your journey. Return to your original entry number.

334

‘Why, I know Cornelius,’ says Totsvig, his magnified eyes widening even further. ‘The greatest scholar in his field. His musings on transmutation are
absolutely second to none. Blew me away – and that research paper on petrification, the art of turning living tissue to stone – wow, compulsory bedtime reading. Yes, a bestseller that
one. I may even have a copy of it somewhere . . .’ He glances around at the cluttered workbenches, where books, scrolls and makeshift equipment cover every inch of space.

Not wishing to waste time searching for a book, you ask him if he can direct you to where Cornelius lives.

‘Where he lives?’ he asks, looking surprised. ‘Well, I’ve never actually met the man. I know his work, as does every scholar worth their salt. So, he lives around here?
Gosh, if you do happen to cross paths with him . . .’ he puts his hands together pleadingly. ‘Could you get his autograph for me? Please?’

You give him a reassuring nod, trying your best to hide your disappointment. Finding Cornelius is not going to be as easy as you first thought. To speak with Totsvig further, turn to
310
. Otherwise, return to the quest
map
to continue your travels.

335

Legendary monster: Vesuvius

The column of flame moves quickly across the scorched earth, leaving a blazing trail of smoke and embers in its wake. The creature is headed straight towards you, gaining
momentum as it blasts through the withered trees and shrivelled ferns that litter the crater basin.

Two angry molten eyes form within the column, narrowing to slits of rage as it closes in. ‘All will burn by my hand,’ hisses the elemental, spitting sparks and flame. ‘I am
Vesuvius – and nothing stands in my way!’

You brace yourself, as the infernal monster slams into you, plunging your surroundings into a searing maelstrom of fire and sulphur: