### 317

The blood is pounding in your ears as you bound up the marble steps. Twenty feet ahead of you, there is a landing with a stone door set into the wall. The stairs continue to ascend to a parapeted walkway, at the end of which is another stone door, identical to the first. Suddenly, the door on the first landing swings open and a palace guard wheels round to face you.

'Majhan!' he cries, fumbling for the hilt of his sword.

If you wish to attack the guard before he draws his weapon, turn to 338.

If you wish to barge him aside and continue climbing the stairs, turn to 372.

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