The Heart of Fire (27 page)
Special rules
The fastest hero (based on
speed
score) fights the wicker man and the slowest hero fights inside the bee
cage.
Each combat round is fought separately between each pair of combatants. Abilities that damage more than one
opponent (such as
ignite
,
cleave
,
thorns
and
fire aura
) can be used by a hero, and their damage applied to the other hero’s opponent.
If the hero in the bee cage defeats the bee cage they can join their ally against the wicker man, using the team
battle rules for attack and support heroes. They also benefit from the
broken magic
rule (see special abilities above).
If the hero in the bee cage is defeated, then the remaining hero must continue to fight the wicker man alone, using
the
blood sacrifice
rules (see special abilities above).
Once the wicker man is defeated, the heroes have won (even if the bee cage still has
health
).
If the wicker man is defeated, turn to
155
.
164
The tunnel is littered with bones and rusted weapons. A quick examination reveals that they were once goblins. If you wish you may now help yourself to any/all of the following
items:
Goblin bones | Bug splatter | Pot of speed (2 use) |
(backpack) | (left hand: club) | (backpack) |
These might prove | +1 speed +1 brawn | Use anytime in combat |
valuable to the | to raise your | |
right person | for 1 combat round |
After another hundred metres the passageway descends steeply, opening out into a wide chamber. Here the glowing fungi are joined by green-glowing crystals, sparkling from the rock face. Their
light gives the cavern a sinister, eerie feel as you silently advance, eyeing the shadows for any sign of attack.
The skittering patter of feet is your first warning that you are not alone. Then a large rock smashes into the ground ahead of you, throwing up a thick cloud of dust.
‘We’re under attack!’ shouts the captain. ‘Form up! Form up!’
Surl and Vas rush to his side, the latter pulling a pair of pistols from her belt. The skittering sound gets louder and louder, echoing in the vast chamber.
Then you see them: a glittering swarm of black beetles moving swiftly across the ground, their abdomens glowing with a blood-red light.
‘What are they?’ cries Surl.
Another boulder explodes nearby, raining shards of sharp stone across the cave. The captain staggers, holding a hand to his side. ‘Above us!’ he growls. ‘They got artillery!’
You look up to see one of the giant ant-men perched on a rock shelf. It is lifting up slabs of heavy granite and tossing them into the chamber.
‘Someone get that thing!’ snarls the captain, turning to face the oncoming swarm of beetles. ‘Surl! Cover my back!’
Vas levels her pistols at the rock-flinging ant. ‘I could do with some help here!’ she calls.
Will you: |
Climb onto the ledge and attack the ant? — |
Help the captain to fight the beetles? — |
165
Despite your best efforts, the lid is stuck fast and you cannot open it. A cursory glance towards the portal reminds you that you have more pressing problems – the
doorway has started to fade. Not wishing to become trapped in the attic, you push through the remaining junk and step into the portal. Turn to
440
.
166
Benin quickly rises to his feet, offering out his hand. ‘My friend, you have made a remarkable recovery. The dean is a powerful healer; I see there is much I could learn
from him.’
You take Benin’s hand and shake it warmly. ‘So what brings you here, so far from Carvel?’ you ask, smiling. ‘Have you freed the town of its sinners already?’
The priest laughs. ‘If only that were true. Alas, I left because I believe this is where I belong. The inquisitors may be turning their backs on these troubles, but the monks . . . they
believe the Wiccans must be stopped, before it is too late. When I heard I could be of use to the monastery, I left Carvel. I believe it is the One God’s will – this is my test of
faith.’ Turn to
197
.
167
You scan the room, eyes coming to rest on your belongings heaped on a plush chair. ‘I should be going,’ you state, crossing the room.
Lazlo watches you thoughtfully, as you strap on your belt and weapons. ‘You know, defeating a margoyle is no easy task,’ he says, folding his arms across his chest. ‘You showed
some skill back there at the bluff.’
‘I saved your life, you mean?’ You grin, sliding your arms into your backpack.
The prince nods and smiles. ‘Agreed. But I can make you better.’
You start for the door. ‘I’m fine, I’m a fast learner.’
Lazlo puts out a hand, to grab your arm – but you are quicker, anticipating the move and snatching his wrist. You grip it tightly, meeting his surprised gaze. ‘I told you I was
fast.’
‘Your body might be – your wits, less so.’ He glances down. You follow his gaze to the dagger he is holding in his other hand, resting against your stomach. ‘I can train
both. If you’ll let me.’
You release his wrist, stepping warily away from the point of the dagger.
‘Come,’ smiles the prince, spinning the knife and sliding it back under his sleeve. ‘I have something special to show you. I think you’ll like it.’ Turn to
102
.
168
By the time you reach the top of the stairs the witchfinder is stooped over, gasping for breath. He waves away your attempts to help him.
‘I’m fine,’ he snaps hoarsely. ‘I’ll be even better when I find that cure . . .’
Reminded of the urgency of the mission, you hurry towards the double-doors of the church. As you grab hold of the handles to push them apart, the building suddenly trembles with a loud peal of
organ music. The doors fly open of their own accord, revealing a narrow nave lined with stone pews and flickering candles.
‘What were you saying about theatrics?’ You smirk, stepping through the arched doorway. Eldias follows behind, his sallow features twisted with pain.
‘Beware the reverend,’ he hisses through fanged teeth. ‘I may not be able to help you.’
At the far end of the church you see an immense reed organ, its wooden pipes rising up to a mountainous peak. Sat at the organ, with his back to you, is a man with wild white hair. He throws
back his head, cackling with delight, as his pale fingers play skilfully across the keys.
‘Come! Come!’ he spins round in the chair, the music ending abruptly. ‘And Judah said unto his flock, let the sinners come to me; those who have forsaken the light. For here
they will find peace everlasting.’
He rises up off the chair, sending dust motes dancing from his tattered robes. The man is clearly one of the undead, his green-tinged skin stretched tight over ridges of bone. His appearance
draws you up short, halting your advance. Eldias slumps into one of the pews, head lowered, breath rasping in his lungs.
‘Do you see them?’ he gasps. ‘Books, scrolls . . . anything?’
You quickly scan behind the reverend, to where a set of stairs lead up to an altar. Piled on top of it are a number of leather-bound books, coated in dirt and cobwebs. ‘I see them,’
you whisper.
Eldias pushes himself to his feet. ‘Then let’s do this.’
A crack of thunder shakes the shattered glass in the windows.
‘Ah, a witchfinder!’ grins the reverend. ‘The fist, the blade, the retribution of the One God.’ He frowns, his eyes twinkling in the lantern light. ‘But you have
lost your way, haven’t you? Fallen from the path of the righteous.’ He raises his hands, leaning back to address the heavens. ‘Come to me, my children of the night. Let us test
this one’s faith.’
