Sands of Blood (4 page)

“You are the second person in the last hour to ask for directions to the old man’s house,” he replies.

This is worrying news. “We must hurry then.”

You follow the trader’s directions through the alleyways of Barrsa and arrive at a small sandstone house. The door is open. You draw your sword and enter.

Oil lamps light up the darkness and you can make out the figure of an old woman sitting on a carpet. “I was expecting you,” she says. “I am the Spellcaster. Put away your weapons and sit down.”

If you wish to do as she says,
go to 19
.

If you want to keep hold of your sword,
go to 42
.

You unsheathe your sword and run towards the creature. Jumping on a table, you fling yourself at the firebird. You swing your sword, but the great beast flies out of your reach and you find yourself thrashing at air.

Urged on by its skeleton rider, the firebird banks around and flies straight towards you.

If you want to continue to attack with your sword,
go to 13
.

If you wish to use your bow,
go to 28
.

You leap towards the old man, but are too slow. He shoots the arrow, which slams into your chest. You drop to the floor and try to crawl away.

Although he is blind, the power of the ruby gives him superhuman powers and he is able to shoot several more arrows into your body at incredible speed.

“I warned you that you would never take the ruby,” he says.

These are the last words you hear as death takes hold of you.

You have failed your quest at the last hurdle! To begin again,
go to 1
.

You shake your head. “The queen banished me. I have no duty to anyone.”

Olderon pulls out his sword. “Then you do not deserve to live. I give you one last chance. Come with me to Alba or face the consequences.”

If you wish to fight Olderon,
go to 10
.

If you want to change your mind and go to Alba,
go to 25
.

“We go on,” you say.

The clouds of sand hit, and you hang on tightly to Hergal as the gryphon flies through the raging storm. Sand fills the air and you can hardly breathe. As you are about to pass out, the storm suddenly dies away.

You wipe the sand from your eyes and peer ahead. Your blood turns cold as you stare at the huge cloud-like figure standing before you.

“A sand genie,” says Olderon. “I have heard the legends of such creatures. They are very dangerous.”

The creature opens its mouth and roars, sending raging clouds of sand towards you.

If you want to turn back,
go to 24
.

If you want to fight the genie,
go to 17
.

You fight bravely, but there are too many enemies to overcome. Their weapons cut into your flesh as they press forward with their attack.

You feel a blade slice into your back. You turn, but more blades pierce your body. You drop to the ground, bleeding and helpless. You close your eyes as your foes move in for the final kill.

To begin again,
go to 1
.

“Tell me about these rubies,” you say.

“There were four rubies,” replies the queen. “Each had a different power. The Ruby of Power gives the owner great fighting skills. The Ruby of Seeing gives the gift of telepathy and reading minds. The Ruby of Magic gives the gift of great magical powers and the Ruby of Death gives its wearer the power over death.”

“I can understand why someone would want such powerful gems,” you say.

“Quite so,” replies the queen. “And that is why the Red Queen seeks the rubies. To win power over all the peoples of the world.”

If you know all about the Red Queen,
go to 23
.

If you have not yet found out about the Red Queen,
go to 7
.

“I was told that the Spellcaster is a man, not a woman,” you reply. “Show your real self!”

The room is filled with screeching as the woman leaps up at you. Her mouth opens revealing her razor-sharp teeth
–
she is a ghoul!

Your sword flashes in the light as you plunge it into the creature’s body. The ghoul gives one last high-pitched shriek and decomposes before your eyes.

You hear a noise from an adjoining room. You hurry through to find an old man lying on the floor. He is bleeding from a deep wound to his neck. The ghoul’s work, you think and help him to sit.

“You are the Spellcaster?” you ask.

The man nods and you tell him of your quest to seek out the Blind Man of the Lost Temple of the Desert.

In answer, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, circular device. “This is an astrolabe. It will guide you to the Lost Temple if you trust it.” He hands it to you. “You must also remember that ‘fire’ is the answer.”

Before you can ask what he means, the Spellcaster speaks again. “The ghoul’s touch has cursed me
–
you must stop me turning…”

To do as the Spellcaster asks,
go to 3
.

If you want to try to save the Spellcaster,
go to 31
.

“I do not wish to take the ruby from you,” you say. “If you listen to my story, you will surely give it to me.”

The old man lowers his bow. You stare at his sightless eyes and tell him the story of your quest. When you have finished, the old man takes off the amulet. “I am glad to pass on the burden. This ruby has kept me alive for many years and now it is time to let go.”

“Do you know where the next ruby can be found?” you ask.

“The Ruby of Seeing is to be found in the mountains of the north. You must seek out the Dragon Princess. She is the ruby’s guardian.” He passes the amulet to you. You immediately feel stronger and more powerful. At the same moment, the old man drops to the floor. “My time has come. You must go…” He closes his eyes just as his body turns to ash.

You head out of the dome and cross the lake. You cannot see Olderon, so you call out his name.

He steps from the shadows of a pillar. Behind him stand half a dozen black-robed figures. Their flesh is rotting and hangs from their skeletal figures. They are armed with swords and spears.

“They are death wraiths,” explains Olderon. “They’ve been following us from the beginning of our journey.”

One of the creatures holds a sword to Olderon’s throat. “Save your friend,” it rasps. “Surrender the ruby…”

If you want to negotiate with the wraiths,
go to 29
.

If you want to attack the death wraiths,
go to 6
.

You leap off your horse and run towards Olderon. Just as he loses his grip, you grab hold of Olderon’s wrist and save him from plunging to his death.

However, your sense of relief is short lived. The troll hurls another huge boulder downwards. The huge rock smashes onto your back, shattering your bones and sending you and Olderon over the cliff edge to your deaths far below.

You are dead! Begin your adventure again –
go to 1
.

“It will be quicker to land inside the city,” you reply.

Market traders cry out in astonishment as you guide Hergal downwards to land in a large square full of stalls.

As you dismount the gryphon, a dozen black-robed men appear, running towards you armed with lethal-looking curved swords.

To attack them,
go to 14
.

If you wish to talk to them,
go to 30
.

“I accept this quest and I am happy to share it with Olderon.”

The queen smiles. “Then you must head to the Kingdom of the Sands. Go to the port of Barrsa and find the Spellmaster of the city. He may be able to help you to discover the Blind Man of the Lost Temple.”

“Barrsa is many miles away, how will we get there?” you ask.

The queen signals to a servant, who opens a large set of doors. You gasp in amazement as a gryphon is led into the hall!

“Her name is Hergal,” says Olderon. “She will fly us to Barrsa. But if you do not care for flying, we can sail. There is a ship waiting for us in the harbour. Flying would be quicker but our arrival on a gryphon would attract attention to our task. How do you wish to travel?”

If you wish to fly to Barrsa,
go to 18
.

If you wish to sail to Barrsa,
go to 34
.

You point at the boat floating on the lake. “That’s the way across.”

Olderon is not so sure. “The astrolabe is pointing to the dome, not the boat.”

“You stay here then,” you say. You get into the boat and cast off. You begin to row across the lake. Suddenly there is a great roaring noise and the flames around you flare up, engulfing the boat.

With a cry you leap from the boat and just manage to reach the shore. Olderon throws his cloak on you, beats at the flames and puts them out.

You lie on the ground, breathing deeply. “I owe you my life,” you say.

“I have repaid my debt to you,” he replies. “We are even.”

Go to 21
.

“Never!” you say. Summoning all your strength, you move backwards, pulling Olderon upwards to safety.

With one last surge, you pull him onto the path.

You both lie on the ground breathing heavily. “I owe you my life,” says Olderon.

“You are a city guard, it was my duty,” you reply. “Now let us head back to Alba.”

It takes two days of riding to reach Alba. Olderon takes you to the great hall in the queen’s palace. The queen and her councillors are waiting for you. You bow.

“It is many moons since you last stood before me,” says the queen.

“And you unfairly banished me,” you say.

“Silence!” demands one of the councillors.