### 287

Itikar are by nature wild and malicious creatures, and it can take many years for a rider to tame and train one. However, the effort is well worthwhile as once this is been accomplished, the giant black birds are fiercely loyal.

The Itikar senses that you are not his master and tries to drive you away, wounding your back with a glancing blow from its powerful beak. You lose 1 ENDURANCE point. However, due to sheer strength of will, you manage to climb into the saddle and subdue the creature. It turns its head and fixes you with a cold black stare, but you sense that it is now no longer hostile.

Suddenly, you catch sight of the Drakkarim, streaming across the gangplank. You stretch forward, unhook the Itikar's anchor rope from the saddle ring and grab the thick leather reins.

Turn to 343.

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