Legion of Shadow (11 page)

If you win the combat, turn to
40
.

63

Following Beatrice’s directions, you head out of Tithebury Cross and soon find yourself on a seldom-used track that winds up the face of a craggy hill. At the summit, you
discover an old shack, perched precariously on the cliff-edge. Like a house of cards, you could easily imagine the slightest gust of wind toppling it over at any second. From an open window, you
hear the screech of a baby crying, and a woman’s voice raised in anger. Next to the ramshackle building is an empty chicken coop and a small vegetable garden.

You take the earthenware pot out of your backpack and remove the stopper. A strong vinegary smell drifts up from the inside. Keeping the pot at arm’s length, you approach the vegetable
patch. Much of it is covered in straggly weeds and withered plants. But, astonishingly, along its furthest edge, three enormous turnips are growing – their pale rounded tops protruding from
the soil.

You sprinkle the vinegary potion over the turnips, then step away, not entirely sure what the results will be. A minute or two later and you get your answer. The turnips start to shake and
tremble – then, suddenly, one of them sprouts a pair of spindly arms and starts to push itself out of the ground! From a jagged mouth, the creature emits a rumbling growl as it squeezes
itself free, staggering dizzily onto a pair of skinny legs. The other turnips are also pulling themselves out of the soil and within seconds you find yourself facing three of the monstrous
creatures. Their root-like hands clench into fists as they stumble crazily towards you.

You must fight the turnips as a single enemy:

If you defeat the turnips, turn to
241
.

64

The wolf lies dead at your feet. As you watch, the creature’s body begins to shift and change – the bones cracking and reforming into a human shape. Within moments,
the body of a man lies before you, the black liquid still coating his lips.

It is then that you hear a quiet sobbing coming from behind the wagon. You hurry to investigate, and find the woodsman’s daughter huddled next to one of the wheels, trembling with
fear.

‘It was all my fault,’ she gasps. ‘I let him drink the potion. I said it was a gift from my father. Then he changed . . . he changed!’ She looks away, shivering. ‘I
did everything that the recipe said. Everything. And it turned him into that!’ She points to the huntsman’s corpse. ‘I should have known not to trust the witch. Oh, what have I
done?’

You help the girl to her feet. As it is now late evening, you decide it best that the two of you sleep in the wagon and head back to her father at first light. Turn to
82
.

65

You start towards the totem, with the intention of smashing it apart with your blade. However, you have only taken a couple of steps when the mist in front of you suddenly
twists and broils, forming itself into a phantom-like creature. Before you can react, a spectral fist slams into your chest, sending you sprawling backwards onto the flattened corn. With an
ear-splitting howl, the phantom glides towards you, its green eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger. You scramble to your feet and prepare to fight:

If you defeat the mist stalker, turn to
50
.

66

Quest: Whatever the weather

The midday heat is almost unbearable. You leave the dusty track and head into the cool, dark woods, grateful for the shade. After resting beneath the tangled boughs of an
ancient oak, you set off once again, keeping to the deep shadows cast by the trees. After a few minutes, you hear the rush and splash of water. Licking your parched lips, you head in its direction,
quickly breaking into a run as the sound gets louder.

Slipping and sliding down a wooded slope, you find yourself on the banks of a river, its white waters churning around the rocks and stones that litter the river bed. Further up the bank you see
a wooden cart and two women – who you guess are local farmers – filling a series of buckets with water from the river. Next to them a skinny-looking mule sips greedily from the
waters.

The women wave to you as you approach, and greet you cheerily. They explain that the local wells have run dry and now they must collect water from the river to nourish their crops and feed their
livestock.

‘Wouldn’t be surprised if this here river doesn’t dry up next,’ says one of the women, carrying another full bucket to the wagon. ‘This weather shows no signs of
stopping. If only that darned weather wizard would get down from his tower and help, then we might see some signs of a turn.’

67

You have an excellent hand and beat the gambler. You may take back double the amount of gold that you have bet. If you would like to play again turn to
54
, otherwise you decide to leave the table. Turn to
11
.

68

The woman puts aside her sewing, looking you up and down with interest. ‘A traveller,’ she says, nodding her head. ‘So, I might sell something in this
backwater village after all. Please, take a look at my fine silks. I use only the finest cloth and thread – from the deserts of the south, no less.’

You may purchase any of the following items, for 20 gold crowns each:

‘My skills are the finest around,’ says the woman. ‘If there’s nothing here that interests you, perhaps I can tailor you something a little more . . .
unique.’

69

The man lifts a pale finger and waves it back and forth. ‘Ah, no, no, no. That hill is still hallowed ground, my friend, and that makes it . . . difficult for people like
me.’ He pauses for a heartbeat and then gives a dry, rattling laugh. ‘I have done some bad deeds in this life, things I am not proud of. I have always had a fear of such holy places
– that the One God, in his good grace, will strike me down for my sins. A silly superstition of mine, nothing more.’ The man folds his arms, his fingers tapping impatiently on the
sleeves of his robe. ‘Now, I think I have answered your questions. So, what’s it to be?’

70

You put your hands to your mouth and call out: ‘
Hey! Fancy something to eat? Ma and pa are already tucking in!
’ Seconds later you hear a banging from down
below.

‘OK, OK. I was just going ta fetch the boss. He won’t be happy if there’s none left for ’im and his rats, I tell ya.’ As you hoped, the ladder suddenly appears,
followed by a series of creaks as the ruffian ascends. The moment his head comes into view, you step forward, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and yanking him to his feet.

The grubby man gives a cry of alarm when he sees the dead bodies. Tears start to well up in his eyes. ‘Please, no . . . you didn’t . . . not the family . . .’

You release him – no longer sure if you feel pity or anger for the wretched thief. The man drops to his knees beside the three corpses.

‘Not ma and pa,’ he sobs. ‘Not ma and pa . . .’ He turns to face you, his tears forming dirty rivulets across his grubby cheeks. ‘You killed ’em!’ he
cries, pointing a shaking finger at you. ‘You did it!’ With an animal-like snarl, he launches himself at you, taking you by surprise. Steel flashes, followed by a stabbing pain in your
side. Stumbling backwards, you see a bloody knife in the man’s hands – your blood. He licks the blade hungrily, then rushes to attack.

Special abilities