### 223

You hurl your light towards the pool and the inflammable liquid ignites on contact, with a deafening whoomph that leaves you sprawled flat on your back.

For a few seconds the chamber is aglow with a blinding white light, then the glare fades to reveal the octopoid writhing on the floor, close to the blazing pool's edge, its loathsome body being consumed by a hungry mass of guttering yellow flames.

Covering your mouth with your cloak, you stumble to your feet and skirt around the burning carcass towards the archway. The sheet of blue-green metal that once blocked this exit is no longer there; it has moved aside to reveal a dark tunnel leading away from the chamber. Eager to leave this smoke-filled hall and continue the search for your captive friend without further delay, you hurry through the archway into the unwelcoming darkness beyond. (Remember to erase the Backpack Item from your Action Chart.)

Turn to 200.

Text copyright © 1991 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1991 Brian Williams.