### 11

Beyond the portal you discover a narrow flight of stone steps. Quickly you climb these stairs, spurred on by the wintery chill which grows steadily colder as you ascend. You count fifty steps before you eventually arrive at a chamber which is heaped with rubble. Its only door is blocked by debris and huge slabs of marble, making an immediate exit impossible. But it is not the door which commands your attention; it is a narrow circular shaft which is set into the middle of the ceiling. It is the source of the cold, wintery draft.

Expectantly, you step closer and investigate this shaft. For the most part it is dark, but you can see glimmers of grey daylight high above, and you can hear the whistling of the wind. But you can also hear another sound, one that is quite unexpected. It is a buzzing, insectile noise. You focus upon the darkness and suddenly you see that the noise comes from nests of winged insects which are fixed all along the inside of the shaft.

If you possess Grand Pathsmanship and have reached the rank of Sun Knight, turn to 240.

If you do not possess this Discipline, or have yet to reach this level of Kai rank, turn to 281.

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