### 157

Snatching the seed from your tunic pocket, you hurl it at the plinth as hard as possible. There is a loud crack as the shell shatters, and a splash of bright flame engulfs the plinth. Soon the hand catches fire; it wriggles and squirms as the flames feed on its loathsome flesh and is soon obscured by a pall of acrid black smoke.

If you wish to stand back and wait for the flames to die down, turn to 128.

If you decide to pass around the fire and enter the passage beyond, turn to 284.