The Forbidden City

157

You call over to Samu. ‘Guard this entrance,’ you say, tying the Rope around you and indicating the hole you intend to descend into. He gives a grim nod. ‘Hugi!’ you say. ‘Feed the Rope down gently.’

With these words, you leap to the edge of the hole and begin to lower yourself down slowly. You land safely at the bottom and wait for Urik to clamber down. A lifetime of tree-life has made him more than capable of climbing safely to the ground beside you.

You are standing in the middle of a honeycomb made of stone. The light of the full moon streams through the holes in the surface of the plain and the maze is bright with translucent light. Urik sniffs the air. ‘Follow me,’ he says. With tension mounting in your heart, you prepare to meet your enemy.

Turn to 272.

Project AonThe Forbidden City