The Eye of Winter's Fury (98 page)

or
Your cloak has caught on fire. You must lose the ability associated with the cloak item you have equipped.

You have been singed by the fire. You must lower the attribute of a head, cloak, chest, gloves or feet location by 1.

You are unharmed by the flames and suffer no penalty.

The box is hot to the touch, blistering your skin as you struggle to prise open the lid. To your annoyance, you discover it is locked. If you have a
skeleton key
, turn to
673
. Otherwise, you are unable to open the locker. If you wish, you may take it with you, in the hope that you will discover a means of opening it. The
locker
takes up one backpack space. When you have made your decision, turn to
592
.

692

‘No one messes with Ryker. After the break-out, he was the one who suggested the prisoners stay; take this place as their own. He was a criminal lord – got connections. Rich ones, too. He’s made this place what it is. Don’t believe what they’re sayin’, that Ryker ain’t in charge, that someone else is pulling the strings and using that name. I know he’s got a mage up there, gives him tonics – potions. Keeps him looking young.’

‘Have you ever seen Ryker?’ you ask sceptically.

‘Not for a long time, I’ll admit,’ he says. ‘The guy’s a recluse – stays in the prison. But he’s got eyes and ears everywhere, so always show ’im the proper respect. After all, look at what he created – a settlement out of nothing. Whalers use the island as a stop-over or to winter down for the season. We get smugglers and fur traders too, and of course, those who are on the run want to keep a low profile. No one stands in judgement over anyone at Ryker’s. The past don’t matter – it’s all about today.’

693

Footfalls echo back along the passages, then a cry followed by the ring of steel and a crack of magic. When you finally emerge in a pillared hall, you find Skoll and Maune facing off against a monstrous creation – a gigantic golem, fashioned from the body parts of various creatures. Its most recent addition appears to be the paladin’s eagle, its severed head now sitting atop a brawny pair of shoulders.

‘Back to the shroud with you, abomination!’ Maune sends another bolt of holy magic into the creature’s misshapen body while Skoll hacks away with his axe, ducking and weaving to avoid the monster’s fists and scaled tail. Drawing your weapons, you hurry to aid your companions. It is time to fight:

	Special abilities
	Eagle’s cry : At the end of each combat round that the eagle’s head is still alive, you must lower your brawn and magic by 1. This cannot be restored until the end of the combat.
	Regeneration : While the troll’s arms are alive, all of your opponents heal 2 health at the end of each combat round. (note: This cannot take an opponent’s health above their starting scores.)
	Tail lash : If you roll a double for your attack speed (before or after a reroll) you must automatically take 5 damage, ignoring armour , from the drake’s tail (providing it is still in play).
	Blood ’n gore : Your opponent is immune to bleed .
	Grit and valour : Maune and Skoll add 2 to your damage score for the duration of this combat. (If you are an einherjar, you can add 3 to your damage score instead.)

If you manage to take apart this vile abomination, turn to
462
.

694

Your opponent gains the upper hand, her dog-team having maimed several of your lead hounds. You start to lose ground, watching in frustration as the girl-racer pulls away, crossing the finish line in first place. You follow shortly after, managing to grab second.

Whilst disappointed that you didn’t win, you have still qualified for the final race. You also receive a prize of 150 gold crowns for your second place ranking. (Replace the keyword
rookie
with the word
veteran
.) Return to the map to continue your adventure.

695

You scrape and bump across the ice, looking to close the gap with the other racer – a scrawny-looking man dressed in ragged furs. He reaches for something at his belt and then leans back, his arm stretched out behind him. It isn’t until the clouds shift and the sun’s light sparkles across the ice that you notice a bright rainbow of oil.

Snickering to himself, the racer summons a flame to his fingertips then sends a jet of fire lancing into the oil. Within seconds a wall of flame is rushing towards you, eating through the ice and splitting open a widening crevasse.