| 257 Leaving the village behind you head out west towards the ancient Ring of Stones. The road is well marked and easy to follow, even in the dark of night. Soon after dusk the sky clears markedly and about an hour after sunset a full moon rises in the east. As the moon rises the way ahead becomes much clearer and you are able to make fast progress. After the rain the air is cool and crisp, the moonlight providing an ethereal quality to the now enclosing forest that lines the sides of the road. In this light you go swiftly but quietly, heartened by the natural beauty around you. Pallenten gallops effortlessly, power still in her strides as she covers the remaining leagues to the Ring of Stones. The fresh, cool feel of the night air so soon after rain works as an invigorating tonic to your fatigue. The journey of the day has been made much easier with the help of your steed, but it has been a long day all the same. You can feel the heavy hand of fatigue beginning to take hold and are thankful the cold of the night keeps you alert. As you travel further along the deserted road you find the countryside varying between patches of forest and grassland. The forest is thick and dark, a darkness that even the bright moonlight cannot penetrate. The open grasslands make a welcome counter to the trees. Even Pallenten seems to feel the danger lurking hidden within the shadows, and increases her gallop to pass quickly beyond the forest and out into the open plains and the Ring of Stones. It is not until late, however, that you reach the ancient monument. Only once before have you seen the stones, that had been many years before, in a time when you were a novice at the Temple of the Suns. Then you had seen the stones in the bright light of day; then they had been impressive. In the half-light of the moon they are an awesome spectacle. Each stone towers higher than a man can throw a small pebble, and each is as wide as a two wagon roadway. Twenty-five of these stones stand in a huge circle centered around a single small marble plinth. Even from a distance you can see the stones glistening in the moonlight, each a constellation of brightly reflected light. As you ride down towards the monument you ponder the many questions raised by its existence. Here on this isolated plain, unseen by most men, stands one of the greatest mysteries of Arborell. These massive stones had been set in place by an unknown race of creatures long before any written histories of man existed, probably before any man had placed a foot in this part of the world. Since their discovery the Dwarvendim had tried unsuccessfully to find either the technical or magical power necessary to build such a monument, but somehow, in a time long forgotten it had been done. It was a great achievement and an even greater mystery. As you enter the circle of stones you cannot help but be awed by their size and by the great skill that would have been required to place them so precisely. It is as you are taking in the extraordinary power of the monoliths that you notice a number of small, furtive shadows moving quickly to your left. A few of Pallenten's strides later a set of similar dark shapes appear to your right, using the gloom created by the stones to remain unrecognised. The hairs at the back of your neck stand on end as you realise you have ridden into serious trouble. Carefully you draw your sword, then slowly turn Pallenten and try to exit the monoliths. This awesome monument has suddenly become a very dangerous place. Out of the moonlight and shadows you are immediately confronted by two small, almost laughably small figures dressed in armour and armed with long knives, shields and short stabbing spears. They stand with their spears readied for action, blocking your only exit from the Stones. Even with the bad light you think they must be Morg, legendary as vicious fighters and lethal in large groups. From beyond the shadows another dozen of the creatures rush forward. Immediately you are surrounded. The Hordim are so short that you must dismount to protect Pallenten's legs from attack. As your feet touch ground all fourteen of the Morg rush forward and begin stabbing at you and Pallenten. With the first stroke of your sword you are able to cut down three of the hideous assailants but this only changes the method of their attack. Momentarily stung by the fall of their comrades the rest retreat a few steps and begin a circling movement, striking out intermittently at your defences. These small creatures will give you a tough battle.
| The Morg have a combined combat rating of 33 and an endurance of 25. Pallenten is caught in this battle and will aid your fight. Your own combat rating should be increased by 8 temporarily to account for this help. If you survive this battle turn to section 125. If the Morg prove too strong then it will be here, at the Ring of Stones that your quest will end. In another life the gods may grant you better luck.
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