### 265

You settle yourself close to the lock which holds the portal secure and, using your Discipline, you cause the ancient mechanism to vibrate. The portal begins to resonate and hairline cracks appear in the stone surrounding the lock. Then there is a loud bang; the lock has disintegrated.

Confidently you move forward and place your shoulder to the portal. One hard push is all that is needed to break the seal of dirt, and slowly it creaks open.

Turn to 11.

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