227

Mindful of how near you have just come to being detected, you hurry to the section of wall from where the druid appeared and search for a way to make it open once more. You discover a lever and, within seconds of pulling it, the concealed panel glides inwards allowing you access to a secret passage.

The narrow passageway descends by steps and slopes to a chamber which is lit by two large black candles, fixed into holes in the surface of a marble slab. On a nearby table lie the following items:

• 2 Arrows
• Enough food for 2 Meals
• 2 Daggers
• 1 Sword
• Mirror
• Rope

If you wish to take any of these items, remember to adjust your Action Chart accordingly.

Opposite the slab there is a door which opens into a narrow corridor. You step through and follow this corridor to a room where stands an imposing door made of sheeted copper, inlaid with a filigree of gold and silver. It is the only exit from an otherwise drab and gloomy chamber.

A closer inspection of the door reveals that it is surrounded by an airtight seal. Furthermore, there is no keyhole, bolt, or handle. However, your keen eyesight is drawn to a pattern in the door’s centre panel which, thanks to past experience, you recognize to be a sophisticated combination lock.

The gold inlays form three rows of three numbers within a grid of silver lines.

Below these numbers, in ancient Cenerese script, is carved the message:

‘Declare ye the true number to pass this way’

Study the grid of numbers. When you think you know the answer to the riddle, turn to the entry which bears the same number as your answer.⁸

If you cannot solve this puzzle, turn to 132.