War of the Wizards (26 page)

With valiant cries, the entire force of the Masbaté tribesmen charges from the forest, running to the aid of Sado, who is beleaguered upon the hill. The Masbaté have managed to stay ordered and controlled under Samu's command, despite the surprise of the Shadakine night attack, and their charge is ferocious and deadly. The Shadakine are swept back and away from the hill. Soon they have fallen into a full retreat and the men of the Freedom Guild give a loud cheer.

While Sado organizes his men into battle formations, and sends couriers dashing through the forest with messages for the rest of the army, you stare out at the Shadakine host, trying to guess their next move. A cloud drifts across the moon's face, blotting out its silver light and plunging you into darkness once more. Sado curses. ‘Grey Star, is there nothing you can do to bring us light?’ he asks.

‘I cannot command the sun to rise before dawn,’ you reply bitterly. If only there were some way of fulfilling Sado's request. You are also anxious to see the movements of the Shadakine.

If you possess the Magical Power of Elementalism and wish to use it, expending 2
WILLPOWER
points,
turn to 338
.

If you are versed in the Higher Magick of Physiurgy and wish to expend 1
WILLPOWER
point using it,
turn to 332
.

If you do not have either of these Magical Powers, or if you do not wish to use them,
turn to 275
.

‘We are only able to send you to the Lissan Plain, the northwestern province of the Shadakine Empire (see the
map
). This was once the domain of the Masbaté tribe, warrior nomads of great prowess and strength. It was Shasarak who brought doom to this once-great people, when the Shadakine Empire was first won. In a terrible war, hordes of Shadakine warriors pursued the Masbaté across the plains in their great war chariots, led by the Wytch-king himself. The Masbaté were able to resist the Shadakine, despite overwhelming odds, until Shasarak summoned the demon plague. Faced with such an assault, the Masbaté were unable to resist and an entire race was wiped from the face of the world. The demons still roam the plains, and no one dares go there. The vast expanse of the Lissan Plain was once rich and fertile. Now, none may benefit from it, save for the scavenging packs of hell beasts that roam there.’

His voice has begun to grow very faint.

Turn to 326
.

Your call for aid is answered by the element of fire in the only way it is able. Sheets of flame spring up all around you, catching the dry brush and foliage of the forest in seconds. The bright light of the fires provides an excellent target for the Shadakine crossbowmen. A hail of arrows arcs towards you.

Your life and your quest end here.

Shasarak's torment is written in deep lines upon his ruined face. The wall of fire is a portal to Agarash's realm. Shasarak's bargain is to change places with Agarash, setting the demon free and enduring Agarash's banishment for all time. He chooses eternal torment before eternal death.

As Shasarak disappears through the wall, Agarash calls out with glee, ‘Free, free at last!’ The eyes disappear and a vast, flaming shoulder moves out from the wall. You glimpse a wing and a clawed foot.

If you wish to use the last of your
WILLPOWER
and
ENDURANCE
points to attack the Demonlord as he steps through the portal,
turn to 322
.

If you wish to use the last of your
WILLPOWER
and
ENDURANCE
points to attempt to close the portal,
turn to 356
.

A feeling of panic surges through the men. Sado looks aghast. The army will be forced out of the forest and into the jaws of the Shadakine to be slaughtered, for the Freedom Guild lacks sufficient numbers to face the Shadakine in an all-out assault. Just as you think you are facing certain doom, a vast shape immersed in a pallid, yellow glow strides out from amongst the burning trees. It is a Kazim. Many of Sado's men shout out in alarm and horror, thinking that they are being attacked from the rear but you know this is not the case.

‘Do not worry,’ you assure Sado. ‘This is a Kazim. It fights with us.’

The stony creature, measuring twelve feet high at least, moves through the parting ranks of Guildsmen and stops at the edge of the forest. It is alone; the other Kazim must already be on their way to the other Shadakine Wytches in the pursuit of their hearts. The Kazim at the edge of the forest turns its head this way and that, searching. When it has located that which it seeks, it moves forward at great speed.

If you wish to tell Sado to command his army to follow the Kazim,
turn to 328
.

If you wish to remain in the forest,
turn to 346
.

Your horse quickly covers the miles of your long, desperate ride. The demon host has not caught you, although it is not far away. Looking to the east you see great clouds of dust hanging in the air. These are the tell-tale signs of an army on the move. It must be the rear of the Shadakine column approaching the bridge at Lanzi. You double your speed. Now you can hear the cries of battle and the ringing of steel. You gallop around the edge of the town of Lanzi on its western side and emerge close to the River Dosar. Reining in the horse for a moment, you stop and look along the line of the river. A mile away you can see the bridge. The Masbaté still hold it but they fight a desperate battle against a huge force of Shadakine warriors.

Illustration XX
—The Masbaté fight a desperate battle against a huge force of Shadakine.

With a wild yell, you head towards the battle, the demon pack baying at your heels. You reach the Shadakine force that fights at the bridge and, rushing up to an officer, you indicate the demon horde behind you. He curses and orders some of his men to turn and face this new threat. He orders you to the rear of the army group. ‘Alert Warward Gatakhan,’ he shouts after you. ‘He must bring forward more men.’

You nod your head, although, of course, you have no intention of obeying the order. Your sole objective is to cross the river and tell the Masbaté that they may join the Army of the Freedom Guild in the south.

If you are versed in the Higher Magick of Thaumaturgy and wish to use it to teleport across the river and have 2
WILLPOWER
points,
turn to 195
.

If you wish to try to swim across the river,
turn to 238
.

If you wish to try to fight your way across the bridge,
turn to 256
.

In a stunning display of battle skills, you hack a path of blazing, magical fire through the Shadakine ranks. On the bridge you can hear the cheering of the Masbaté as you wreak terrible havoc among your foes. They urge you on, their cries growing louder as you draw nearer. Suddenly your horse is cut from under you and you throw yourself clear and onto the stone bridge to run the last steps towards the Masbaté. They rush forward to protect your flanks. You are safe. Samu rushes to meet you. ‘Grey Star, that was magnificent … ’ he begins.

‘No time … no time,’ you pant. ‘Sound the retreat. We must flee. See? I have brought the demon plague.’

It is as you say. Even now, across the river, you can see a wild, screaming mass as the demon horde battles with the Shadakine. Samu nods and springs into action. He sounds a battle horn and the Masbaté retire. The Shadakine cannot pursue while the demon host fights at their back. However, you must destroy the bridge to prevent pursuit should the Shadakine, whose entire army numbers in thousands defeat the demon plague too soon.

If you have the Magical Power of Elementalism and wish to use it,
turn to 314
.

If you are versed in the Higher Magick of Physiurgy and wish to use it,
turn to 7
.

If you are versed in the Higher Magick of Thaumaturgy and wish to use it,
turn to 26
.

If you do not possess any of the above Powers, you must attack the bridge with your Staff;
turn to 175
.

Dawn is breaking when the alarm is raised and you are alerted to an attack on the camp. Swiftly you rise, taking up your Staff and rushing outside. There is great clamour everywhere. Men are rushing in all directions, still donning their armour. You rush towards Sado's tent. He is not there but an attendant tells you that a group of Shadakine has attempted an attack. Sado is already at the scene of the battle with a unit of soldiers, hand picked to fight a rearguard action, while the remainder of the army retreats to the Forest of Fernmost. This unit was chosen by Sado himself last night in readiness for just such an eventuality. You are sure that the Shadakine attack cannot be from the large army you trapped on the other side of the River Dosar; it can only be the garrison from Andui.

If you wish to go to the scene of the battle, where Sado fights a rearguard action,
turn to 337
.

If you wish to lead the bulk of the army into the Forest of Fernmost,
turn to 343
.

You see a deep pool of greenish liquid called Leafwater, a strange and unique plant. When Phinomel Pods are cast into the pool the watery substance is transformed. For every pod you cast into it, add 1 to your
COMBAT SKILL
when you dip a weapon into it. You may affect your Wizard's Staff in this way.
²²

Turn to 359
.

You hurl the fury of your last desperate attack at the portal, attempting to close it.

‘NO!’ the demon thunders. ‘Do not … ’

You battle on as the demon struggles to escape with all its power. You must close the portal and tear down the wall. Flame rages around the hall, striving against the purity of the Moonstone's light. A yawning blackness threatens to engulf you as a hurricane of might swirls out from the Moonstone and assaults the portal, a doorway to damnation. You fall to your knees and look up into the raging wall of incandescence before slipping into unconsciousness.

Turn to 360
.

You are seen by a group of Shadakine crossbowmen and, as the only bearer of light for miles around, present an easy target. Before you can move again, another hail of arrows flies towards you. This time their aim is better. You fall to the ground, a mass of feathered shafts protruding from your body.

Your life and your quest end here.

With all the speed you can muster, you rush towards the fray. When you arrive, all is in darkness and confusion. You hear swords clashing in the shadows at the edge of the forest but you cannot see who is fighting whom.

If you wish to expend 1
WILLPOWER
point to cast a light with your Staff,
turn to 157
.

If you wish to head towards the sound of the fighting,
turn to 216
.

If you wish to continue through the forest and try to find Sado,
turn to 242
.

You return to the army laden with useful aids for your struggle. They seem to be more relaxed about the Forest of Fernmost, although you still sense a strange presence somewhere in the centre of the forest.

Turn to 300
.

You wake to see the face of Tanith looking into yours. You sit up with a jolt. You are lying in a bed in a tall tower. ‘The portal … Agarash … is he … ?’ you stammer.

Tanith smiles. ‘All vanquished,’ she replies. ‘The Demonlord Agarash and his portal of fire have gone and Shasarak with them. You have triumphed, Grey Star. We are saved.’

With a wild laugh you leap from the bed and hug Tanith with joy. You have saved your people. ‘Come,’ she says, leading you to a doorway. It opens on to a balcony that overlooks a large square in the centre of the city of Shadaki. There you look upon a huge crowd. They let out a thunderous cheer as they see you.

Later you retire to the chamber. Standing there are Sado of the Long Knife and Samu, the Masbaté King. You clasp their outstretched hands, eyes brimming with tears of happiness. You grin furiously, glad to see that they are alive. A wave of exultant relief runs through you as you receive their grateful thanks and congratulations. They tell you that the Shadakine have fled back to the Sadi Desert. All the cities of the land are free capitals as before. The long task of rebuilding has already begun and all sing your praise to the furthest corners of what was once the Shadakine Empire. They have proclaimed you their ruler, the Wizard Regent of the Free Peoples, for their faith and trust in your wisdom and courage is unshakable.

Hail! Wizard Grey Star, Shianti Hero and Saviour.

The Passing of the Shianti