### 109

You skirt around the ruins to the north and happen upon the remnants of an old track, overgrown with shorter vegetation. You are following this trail when you suddenly you hear a sound like thundering hooves. The noise is approaching from the north and you command your companions to halt. To get a better view, you stand upon your horse’s back and magnify your vision. A tingle of shock runs down the length of your spine when you catch sight of a group of strange creatures speeding through the tall grassland at a terrific pace.

They have black bull-like bodies, yet their heads are crocodilian in shape, and a spiky mane of hair runs the entire length of their muscular backs. They possess four legs and two forelimbs, tipped with claws, in which they cradle cumbersome lances crudely pared from the trunks of Vanchou pines.

You inform Gildas of what is approaching and he gasps with fear. ‘Xanon!’ he exclaims. ‘Ishir preserve us!’ Before you can stop them, the rangers turn their steeds about and take off at a gallop along the track that leads back towards the site of the ancient village.

Turn to 299.