241

The man leads you into a vast hall. Its incredibly high ceiling is supported by hundreds of transparent columns that contain a many-coloured liquid. At the far end of the hall is a pillar of swirling light that illuminates a grotesque but life-like statue of a child. Welcome, says a voice in your head, to the Palace of the Screaming God. Instinctively you spin round to look at the man with the golden hair. He is a telepath, and since the language of the mind is universal, you are able to understand everything he says. I am the Guardian of the Threnogem, he informs you. And you are Grey Star. Pray tell me, why have you come to the Realm of the Elessin?

Illustration XVIII—In the palace of the Screaming God there is a grotesque but life-like statue of a child.

If you wish to attack the Guardian of the Threnogem, turn to 322.

If you wish to snatch the Threnogem from the statue’s mouth and try to break out of the Palace of the Screaming God, turn to 71.

If you wish to tell the Guardian your true purpose, turn to 259.