by Steve Barlow
They shake their heads and move away.
You turn back to the man. “Now tell me where I can find lodging for the night.”
The terrified man tells you where to find the best inn in town.
“Now be gone, and remember your manners.” You kick his backside, sending him on his way, and then head to the inn.
Go to 10.
48
You decide not to tell the Old Man the truth.
“I was captured by pirates and they held me prisoner. I was cast overboard when an Umibozu attacked the ship. Luckily, your merpeople found me, before I could become fish food for the wolf sharks.”
The Old Man of the Sea shakes his head slowly. He gestures towards the Ruby of Seeing. “Even without using the power of this special jewel, I know that you are not telling me the whole truth, human. I will ask you one more time, why are you here in my world?”
If you decide to tell the truth, go to 2.
If you wish to try to grab the rubies, go to 28.
49
You put a hand on the innkeeper’s shoulder. “Come, my friend…” you begin. But before you can continue, you feel a terrible blow on the side of your head. While your attention was on the innkeeper, one of his friends struck you with a wooden club. You drop to the floor in a heap.
“Grab him!” you hear the innkeeper shout. “He’s searching for the Old Man of the Sea. The Red Queen will reward us for dealing with him!”
You try to stagger to your feet, but you are grabbed by many hands. Another blow to your head forces you into the darkness.
Go to 12.
50
The air around you turns bright yellow, and a ghostly figure appears before you.
You smile. “Olderon!”
“You have done well,” he says, “but now the hardest task of your quest awaits you. I have discovered that you must journey to the heart of Necropolis, the City of the Dead. There you will have to fight against the creatures of your nightmares, and defeat both the Red Queen and her husband, Mortha. If you do not, then the world will fall under their control, and all will be lost.”
“How do I find this city?” you ask.
“Use the rubies and trust yourself to their power.” The light begins to fade.
“Will we meet again?” you ask, but there is no answer. Olderon has disappeared.
You climb onto Hergal’s back, reach into the leather pouch and pull out the Ruby of Magic. “Take us to the City of the Dead…”
There is a brilliant flash of light, and the final journey of your quest begins…
About the 2Steves
“The 2Steves” are Britain’s most popular writing double act for young people, specialising in comedy and adventure. They perform regularly in schools and libraries, and at festivals, taking the power of words and story to audiences of all ages.
Together they have written many books, including the Crime Team and iHorror series.
About the illustrator: Jack Lawrence
Jack Lawrence is a successful freelance comics illustrator, working on titles such as A.T.O.M., Cartoon Network, Doctor Who Adventures, 2000 AD, Gogos Mega Metropolis and Spider-Man Tower of Power. He also works as a freelance toy designer.
Jack lives in Maidstone in Kent with his partner and two cats.
1
The Ruby of Magic has revealed to you the location of Necropolis, the City of the Dead. It lies in the depths of the earth under the Mountain of the Lost.
After days of travelling on Hergal, you fly into the Valley of the Demons.
Ahead you can see the Mountain of the Lost, spewing out fire into the black night sky. The strong smell of sulphur chokes the air. This is a place of nightmares!
Suddenly dozens of firebirds appear from out of the stinking clouds. They are being ridden by skeletons armed with flaming spears. You have met these creatures before, and know how deadly they are!
If you wish to fight the creatures, go to 9.
If you wish to find another way to the mountain, go to 44.
This ebook edition published in 2013
Franklin Watts
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The authors and illustrator have asserted their rights in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
(ebook) ISBN: 978 1 4451 1505 4
(pb) ISBN: 978 1 4451 1501 6
(Library ebook) ISBN: 978 1 4451 2523 7
Franklin Watts is a division of Hachette Children’s Books,
An Hachette UK company.
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