138

You call upon your mastery of Old Kingdom magic and utter the ancient power-word Gloar! at the nearest shrine-bearer. The concessive force of the word strikes the man in the chest and knocks him to the ground. As his grip is torn from the platform, it tilts over and the tiger-head idol tumbles from its wooden base. It hits the cobblestones with a mighty crash, shatters in two, and releases a whirling cone of red flame from its hollow core that engulfs the remaining bearers. In the blink of an eye the three men are transformed into smouldering heaps of ash.

Cries of fear and outrage echo along the street as the Bakhasian soldiers witness the deaths of their comrades and the destruction of their unholy symbol. Before they can gather themselves and give chase, you and Karvas rush across the street and make a hasty escape along the dark alleyway beyond.

Turn to 180.