### 269

With all your strength you resist the terrible power that is sucking you towards its heart. In desperation you call upon the gods Kai and Ishir to aid you, and as if in response to your prayers, you sense yourself rising as the swirling vortex begins to recede. A terrible pain wracks your mind and body (lose 5 ENDURANCE points) but it does not break your will to survive this supernatural ordeal.

Then, abruptly, the swirling funnel evaporates and you find yourself on your hands and knees, breathless and shivering, staring at the cold stone floor of Cadak's throne room. Slowly you rise to your feet, then a faint sound behind warns you that someone or something is moving about in the antechamber.

Turn to 222.

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