### 53

The Cener curses you with his dying breath, his hooked hands outstretched before him as slowly he sinks to the ground. For a moment his body lies shivering at your feet, then it stiffens and is finally still.

Curiosity prompts you to prise away his 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 the body 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 gold 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.