The Heart of Fire (12 page)

‘Look Maxi! Someone wants to play!’ The child’s voice squeals with excitement. ‘They think they’re cut from the same cloth as me, but I bet they can’t make me
a number of three. Each stitch adds one or they’ll come undone. Get it right and they’ll run and run. So, what’s my answer?’

If you are able to solve the puzzle then turn to the appropriate entry number. Otherwise, after much head scratching, you decide to give up on this foolish task. You leave the room via the
half-open door. Turn to
391
.

52

‘Hello me dear, a new face round here if I’m not mistaken,’ the woman looks up from the barrel tap, flashing you a toothy grin. ‘I’ve a good
memory for a face and a smile. So what’s it to be, me sweet?’ She slams the newly-filled mugs onto the bar, sending bubbles of froth floating through the smoky air. ‘Don’t
keep a lady waiting, mind.’

53

‘Oh, that one.’ You catch the flicker of a smile from beneath the man’s hood. ‘I sent her packing with the rest of her half-breed crew. I had to teach
one or two of them a lesson, mind.’ He tilts back his flask, emptying the last of its contents into his mouth. He screws up his face as he swallows. ‘Yeah, don’t you be worrying
about them. They’re barred from the coaching inn – no food or ale means they’ll have moved on pretty swift.’

54

Anna lets out a sigh. ‘Jolando was hired to steal a relic from the church vault. It should have been an easy enough task for someone with his skill. But when he arrived
at the vault, someone else was already there . . .’ The healer pauses, scratching her chin thoughtfully. Clearly she is still trying to make sense of the thief’s words. ‘He said
it was a dwarf.’

Your eyes widen with surprise. ‘I thought they were wiped out long ago, that they destroyed each other in their constant wars and bickering.’

‘Well, not quite,’ replies Anna. ‘But none have been seen in Fenstone Moors for hundreds of years.’

‘So, what happened?’

Anna removes her glasses, rubbing at her tired eyes. ‘There was a struggle. Jolando tried to stop the dwarf from taking the relic. The noise drew the attention of the bishop, who
discovered them both there inside the vault. Then the dwarf produced a staff – a charm – and broke it in two, releasing its magic. Both the bishop and the thief were struck by a curse.
The dwarf escaped unharmed.’

‘What do you know of this relic?’ you ask, absorbed by the story. ‘What does it do?’

‘I don’t know.’ Anna shrugs her shoulders. ‘Some inquisitors found it in a set of ruins to the south. They thought they were protecting it by bringing to Carvel –
no doubt to take it apart and study. But the Wiccans believe it might be something powerful. A weapon that could help them win their war.’ Anna drops her gaze. ‘I should not have got
involved in this. It’s all getting too dangerous.’

55

You descend the stairs, worried that the creaking from the wooden boards will alert others to your presence. However, the persistent banging coming from the zombies outside has
probably masked much of the noise. The front door gives a shudder as something heavy slams against it. You doubt it will hold for much longer.

Turning to the side door, you see that it is slightly ajar. Flickering shadows dance in the space beyond, cast by a lantern or a fire. Steeling yourself for what you might find, you push open
the door, wincing as it gives a grating squeal. Turn to
347
.

56

The trader rubs his hands together excitedly. ‘So, yer got any of dem bones for me today?’ If you have
goblin bones
, you can trade these in for 10 gold
crowns each. If you have
troll bones
, you can hand these over for 20 gold crowns. If you have
giant bones
, the trader will give you 30 gold crowns. Remember to cross these items off
your hero sheet once they have been traded in.

You may now view the charm-maker’s wares (turn to
59
) or continue exploring the lower town (turn to
36
).

57

You notice that Benin does not have a pack with him, only the clothes on his back and a plain-wood staff. From his belt hang a number of pouches and gourds.

‘I assume you’re not here just for the sight-seeing?’ you ask, looking around at the bleak landscape. ‘Are you collecting herbs?’

Benin pretends to be brushing dirt from his robes, but you can tell he is deliberating over his answer. He finally gives a sigh. ‘I’m on an errand for the church. You could say I got
the short straw; I used to play in these hills as a child so I know them well.’

He avoids your questioning stare, squinting back towards the mountains, which rise like dark thorns against the rising sun. ‘I don’t have much time. Others are depending on
me.’

58

Ahead of you, Eldias has already reached the stone well. The witchfinder has swapped his pistols for a pair of magical swords, which he spins in a rapid whirlwind of steel,
slicing through the cadaverous monsters that stand in his way.

Wiping the rain and sweat from your eyes you hurry onwards, your gaze lifting to the church on the hilltop. Ghostly lights are flickering from within, the reverberating hum of the organ reaching
a sinister crescendo.

Suddenly you are hit by something hard and powerful, which sends you sprawling backwards, sliding across the wet stone. Groggily, you lift your head, stars spinning before your eyes. It is some
seconds before you can properly focus on the whirling colours and shapes that are lurching towards you.

It’s something big – very big.

Rain is spraying off its broad shoulders, forming a cloak of sparkling droplets. It is a half-giant, nearly seven feet tall and almost half as wide, clutching a meat cleaver in one hand and a
front door in the other. Its dull, blank expression makes it obvious that this is another zombie – that, and the gooey mass of innards that are hanging out of its bloated, diseased body. It
is time to fight:

Special abilities

If you manage to defeat this loathsome creature, turn to
234
.