; Dungeon of dread - Page 49
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'You cautiously step into the room and Laurus calls, "Be careful,
$Caric."
'At the sound of the halfling's voice, the toad hops around to face
$you.
'You advance slowly. When you are within four feet, the toad's
$toungue lashes out and strikes your shield. Your shield is wrenched
$from your arm with incredible force. The shield disappears down the
$frog's throat, but is quickly spat out. The frog is interested in more
$tasty prey - you!
'The toad stares at you with big, blinking eyes. Bunching up its
$massive legs, it springs straight at you. Startled, you fall
$backwards, with your sword raised. A second later, the entire bulk of
$the toad falls and impales itself on your sword.
'You feel trememdous pressure on your chest as the weight of the
$creature settles upon you. Its rough, warty skin presses into your
$face. You cannot breathe! You may have killed it, but it will smother
$you.
'Slowly, the weight begins to ease. Reliev flods your body when you
$can at last force your lungs to draw air. As you breathe in, you
$nogice a white cloud hovering above you. Then you notice that a small
$weight still pins you to the floor. Fanning away the cloud, you see
$the body of a large human fighter.
'"Caric!" cries Laurus, "Are you all right?" His small hand appears
$and fans away the white cloud.
'"Yes, I think so," you answer, trying to move the man from your legs
$and sit up.
'As you move the man, he opens his eyes, looks at you, and whispers,
$"Thank you... thank you for freeing me." Then he goes limp and dies.
'The cloud of smoke thickens once again and covers the man. When
$you fan the smoke away, the fighter is gone.
'What magic is at work here? Kalman must be a powerful wizard.
$Frightening thoughts whirl through your mind.
'"Laurus," you ask, "did I imagine this?"
'"I wish you had," he answers, "Then I wouldn't have seen it, either.
$I told you Kalman had monsters beyond belief, but even I did not know
$about these poor fellows. This is what happens jto those who fall into
$Kalman's grasp. He changes them into monsters and sets them to guard
$his dungeon against intruders. Only death can set them free."
'"What shall we do?" you ask. "Should we go back while we still have
$the chance?"
'The halfling is silent for a minute, then, stroking his beard, he
$says, "No. I've been a coward too long. Standing tree feet tall isn't
$easy. Most things are bigger than me, but it's no excuse for acting
$like a chicken all the time. You can be as big as a lion outside, but
$that doesn't matter if you're as small as a mouse inside. To be a
$lion, all you need is the heart of a lion. I'm still afraid, but I'm
$not going to turn back. Let's go."
'You sit in silence for several minutes, admiring the halfling's
$courage, then say, "Laurus, Thank you for your words. I may be bigger
$and supposedly braver, but I admit I was afraid. I do not see how I
$can fail with such a brave companion by my side. Come... let us
$continue."
'You pick up your shield and leap the stream in one bound. Laurus
$follows.
\
'You walk down the corridor leading out of the room, and are soon
$faced with another decision. The corridor branches; one passage runs
$left, and the other runs right. When Laurus listens carefully, he
$hears very faint laughter coming from the corridor on the right. He
$hears nothing from the corridor on the left.
51. If you decide to go to the left.
52. If you decide to go to the right.
.ask 2
.file 1,62
.file 2,57
.chain
