80

The herd of coppery-red dragons continues its relentless advance across the fiery plain. You count more than a hundred in total, and each one is as long and as broad as a galleon. The largest of their number, who is also the swiftest of foot, comes looming towards you, breathing blasts of blue flame. His scaly brethren halt in their tracks and watch expectantly, through hooded black eyes, as their leader stalks you like a cat preying upon a helpless dormouse.

High above, swooping in and out of the clouds, are scores of cackling Lavas. You sense also another presence, a wispy dark shadow that exudes malevolence. You shudder when you realize that you are in the presence of a manifestation of Naar himself. He has come to witness your doom, to enjoy the sport of your final, futile battle, before he unleashes his dragons upon Sommerlund. The Lavas’ attacks were but a preliminary phase of his master plan to destroy Sommerlund and the Kai.

With terror in your heart you retreat across the moving sands in a desperate attempt to reach the Shadow Gate—your only hope of escape. The dragon continues to advance and it utters a thunderous roar as it bares its fangs in preparation for its attack.

If you have a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 196.

If you do not, or if you choose not to use it, turn to 122.