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The great snake shudders and convulses in the throes of death. The smell of its thick brown blood is disgusting, and you have to hold your breath and grit your teeth as you lift the dead Yas away from the chest and peer inside.

You discover six silver-handled maces, each beautifully carved and encrusted with rubies, emeralds and pearls. In the Northlands these weapons would fetch thousands of Crowns. At the bottom of the chest, you also discover a small Copper Key. If you wish to take either a Jewelled Mace or the Copper Key, or both, mark them on your Action Chart as Special Items.5 You carry the Copper Key in the pocket of your tunic and the Jewelled Mace tucked into your belt.

The acidic smell of the snake blood is beginning to make you retch. Quickly, you climb the stone steps and leave the armoury by the north door.

Turn to 14.

[5] The Jewelled Mace is a weapon-like Special Item.

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