### 56

The Ziran utters a gurgling, blood-soaked death-cry, and crumples at your feet. Tongues of flame ignite and quickly consume his corpse beneath a pall of oily black smoke. Suddenly an explosion shakes the ground as the iron stave disintegrates into a million glowing shards. You rush to the injured Prince, heave him across your shoulder and flee the temple as the flames and choking black fumes begin to spread.

Once you are a safe distance from the ruins you lower the Prince gently to the ground and watch as the guttering flames gradually ebb and fade.

Turn to 211.

Text copyright © 1987 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1987 Brian Williams.