### 84

In the dim light of the interior you see an old man seated at a table. The flicker of a log fire is all that illuminates this foul-smelling hovel, yet it sheds enough light for you to see the clutter of charts and strange instruments that crowd the hut. The man slowly raises his gaze from a large crystal sphere and bids you sit opposite him.

'You know my name--how?' you ask warily.

'The stars foretold our meeting long ago, Lone Wolf,' he replies, slowly passing his withered old hands around the sphere. 'Be not alarmed by my knowledge for I wish only to aid you.' He produces a small scroll of parchment from within his robe, and he hands it to you. Upon the scroll is written the following verse:

> When the full moon shines o'er the temple deep,
> A sacrifice will stir from sleep
> The legions of a long forgotten lord.
> When a fair royal maid on the altar dies,
> The dead of Maakengorge shall rise
> To claim their long-awaited reward.

You ask the meaning of the strange verse, but the old man does not answer you. He seems to have fallen into a deep trance. You lean across the cluttered table to awaken him and are shocked to see your hand pass straight through his body. Gradually his image begins to fade. Within seconds he has disappeared completely.

You place the Scroll in your pocket. (Mark this as a Special Item on your Action Chart.) You quickly leave the hut, pausing only to wipe the cold sweat from your brow.

Turn to 273.

Text copyright © 1985 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1985 Gary Chalk.