### 334

You open your mouth and form your lips into an 'O' shape in readiness to utter the power word battle-spell you have learned from Lord Rimoah. Then, the instant the spell-thoughts focus in your mind, you project the power word--Gloar!--at the middle of the fleeing druid's back. Like a hammer, the sound hits him between the shoulder blades and sends him tumbling head over heels into a tangle of thorny briars.

Stunned and groaning, the Cener fumbles for his slender golden rod. His spindly fingers locate it, but before he can use it to retaliate, you sprint across the clearing, weapon in hand, and slay him with a single blow to the head. Curiosity prompts you to prise away the druid's green mask and look upon the face of this servant of evil. It is an ugly, disease-riddled face, human in shape yet lacking any trace of humanity.

Reluctantly you search him and discover the following items:

- Dagger
- Cener Robe (If kept, this item will occupy 2 spaces in your Backpack)
- Cener Mask
- 20 Lune (equivalent to 5 Gold Crowns)

If you decide to keep any of the above, remember to adjust your Action Chart accordingly.

Your Magnakai skills tell you that the golden rod no longer possesses any magical aura; its destructive powers vanished the moment its wielder breathed his last. You stoop to prise it from the dead druid's hand, but as soon as your fingers touch its metallic surface it disintegrates into a fine, foul-smelling dust.

With twilight but an hour away, you leave the clearing via the gap and hurry along the muddy track beyond.

Turn to 10.

Text copyright © 1990 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1990 Brian Williams.