Legion of Shadow (26 page)

If you defeat the ratling, turn to
125
.

231

After several minutes, the passageway becomes a narrow ledge, overlooking a huge cavern. Its walls and columns are coated in forests of glowing fungi, their pale light
illuminating a giant, glittering web that stretches from floor to ceiling. At the centre of the web, resting on the sticky criss-crossing strands, is the biggest spider you have ever seen, its
massive fangs dripping with a deadly green venom.

If you still have the word
torch
on your hero sheet, you can choose to set fire to the web (turn to
7
). If you don’t have a torch or choose not to set fire to the web, you can:

232

As you proceed along the tunnel, you quickly become aware of a distant rumbling sound. It gets louder and louder, growing in intensity. Then, all of a sudden, the stone and rock
beneath your feet is thrown upwards with tremendous force. You are sent sprawling onto your back, as a white bulbous head erupts from the soil. It looks like a giant maggot, eyeless and blind.

As you scramble to your feet, the beast swings its bloated head in your direction. Then it pulls its enormous, rippling body out of the pit and squirms towards you, its jaws snapping together
hungrily. You will have to defeat this creature before you can continue down the tunnel:

Special abilities

If you defeat the burrower, turn to
116
.

233

The man backs away, his shirt soaked with blood and sweat. ‘Think yer can best me, huh?’ he snarls. ‘It’s time to show yer what yer really up
against!’ In horror, you watch as the man’s body begins to change. His face stretches outwards to form a pointed snout, his nails and teeth lengthening into deadly claws and fangs.
Coarse black hair erupts from the man’s flesh, bursting through the seams of his ragged clothing. Within seconds you are staring at a man-sized rat, its pink tail whipping back and forth
through the air. With a high-pitched squeal, the ratling lunges forward, foamy saliva drooling from its jaws. With no time to heal, you must take on this foe with the
health
that you have
remaining:

Special abilities

If you defeat the ratling, turn to
174
.

234

The lake spirit is powerful, knocking aside your flimsy weapons with its giant, watery fists. As you stagger backwards, losing ground to this fearsome foe, there is a sudden
flash of white light. Risking a sideways glance, you see that the wizard’s staff has started to glow. The lake spirit drifts towards it, like a moth attracted to a flame. The nearer it gets,
the smaller and smaller it becomes, until it is little more than a gentle wave, lapping around the foot of the glowing staff. There is another flash and the light is gone.

The wizard lowers his arms, his chanting finished. Exhausted, he drops to his knees. You rush to his side, offering him support as he stumbles back to his feet. ‘I’m OK, I’m
OK,’ he says, patting your arm. ‘It is done. The lake spirit is now trapped in the staff. It is mine to command now – the rainmaker is complete.’ He tugs the staff out of
the earth and holds it up, admiring it as if it was suddenly made from solid gold. It looks much the same to you: just a length of ordinary polished wood.

‘With this, I may be able to defeat the weather spell and bring some rain to this land.’ He regards you for a moment, then he offers you a warm smile. ‘You have done well.
Come, let’s go back to my tower. I’m sure I have something I can offer you as a reward. Turn to
243
.

235

As you head east, the trees start to thin, the ground becoming steeper and more rugged. Soon you are picking your way between boulders and narrow wind-seared gullies. Following
the directions you were given, you come to a series of worn steps, carved into the granite cliffs. These take you to the top of a high pinnacle of rock, where a tall stone tower stands stark
against the azure-blue skies.

As you approach, you see that the tower is visibly shaking from side to side, dislodging dust and stone from its walls and crenellations. A booming, banging sound can be heard coming from
somewhere inside the tower. You call out, asking if anyone is home. A pair of window shutters fly open from high up the tower, and a bald-headed man with a wispy white beard sticks out his head.
‘Help me!’ he cries. ‘Please don’t go! I have a problem and I need help!’

You draw your weapons and agree to hear him out. ‘It’s my tower. I’m trapped in my tower. One of my . . . experiments has escaped and is now running loose. Please get rid of it
so I can come down!’

You warily approach the front door, as the tower shakes and rattles on its foundations. Trying the door you discover it is locked. ‘I can’t get in,’ you shout up to the wizard.
Suddenly, the door is blown off its hinges by some powerful force, sending pieces of splintered wood hurtling past your head.

‘OK, no longer a problem,’ you add dryly. From inside the tower, you hear a roar – like a fierce, howling wind. Bracing yourself for what is to come, you step inside. Turn to
33
.

236

‘Good! Help me clear some of this up – we’ll need it.’

You look at Martha quizzically, wondering what plan she has in mind. She re-enters the house and returns a few moments later with a basket. Several of her children follow at her heels,
whispering excitedly to each other. Together, you gather up some chunks of the vinegary-smelling turnip. Once the basket is full, Martha starts back towards the house.

‘What is it for?’ you ask with interest. Martha turns and gives you a sly grin. ‘I’m going to make Beatrice Fletcher eat humble pie.’ Turn to
13
.