from being swept overboard, he fixes his belt to the hub of the wheel and then he fights to turn his ship into a towering wave, to save her from capsizing. A mighty wave crashes against the prow and Gemulkin's courageous action saves the
Vargas
from being split it two. It rides the wave and emerges from the storm into calmer waters beyond. You thank Ishir that you have survived this ordeal, yet it soon becomes apparent that the storm is merely the prelude to an even greater threat to the ship's survival.
Turn to 230 .
26
As you leap from the parapet of the harbour bridge, you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell Invisible Shield to help protect yourself from the arrows that are now whistling past on all sides. It is a precaution that saves you from sustaining a serious wound. As you fall, you see an arrow deflected away from your chest by this invisible barrier.
Turn to 280 .
27
Defiantly you face the onrushing villagers with your Kai Weapon raised in your hand. They continue to fire their bows as they close upon you and several arrows strike you simultaneously in the chest. You are consumed by a sudden wave of darkness that obliterates your senses and, although you struggle to overcome come it, this proves to be one battle that you cannot win.
Tragically, your life and your quest end here.
28
You roll aside in a desperate attempt to avoid being crushed by the falling section of mast. Your swift action saves your life as the shattered timber slams through the decking, but unfortunately you do not move swiftly enough to avoid being struck on the head by a mass of trailing ropes and debris: lose 6 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 160 .
30
You push open the swing doors and enter a crowded taproom. Never have you seen so many different types of people and faces together in one place before, and it takes you a few moments to get over your initial surprise. Nobody pays you a second glance as you push your way through this exotic crowd of traders and travellers and make your way to the counter.
When you find the landlord you ask if he knows or has heard of Captain Radyard. The man laughs like a drain and nods his head enthusiastically.
‘Yes, yes, oh yes … Radyard. Him and his men stay here two nights ago. Fine men … good drinkers … fine fellows. They come here always when in Masama.’
The landlord goes on to say that he has not seen them since. He suggests that you ask at the Masama Warehouse. It is the place where they usually sell their cargo. You thank the landlord and turn to leave. As you reach the exit, you are tapped on the shoulder by a weasel-faced man who begs for a moment of your time.
‘Excuse me, sir,’ he says, ‘but I overheard you asking for Captain Radyard. I know the captain and I can take you to him. Only … well, I've a great thirst and I'm in sore need of some ale. Perhaps you would buy me an ale? Then I'd gladly take you to the captain.’
If you wish to buy the man an ale, turn to 264 .
If you do not, turn to 83 .
33
Two hours pass before the door to your cell is opened and an apologetic Hiojin appears. He is now convinced that you are not an assassin and, fearing a diplomatic row with the Dessian ambassador, he apologizes repeatedly for your arrest. He has your Weapons restored to you, and then he escorts you personally in a horse-drawn carriage to Lord Zinair's residence — the Dessian Consulate — in the city's North Quarter.
As the toadying officer and his carriage depart, you turn to face the entrance to the consulate building. With mounting anticipation, you climb the front steps and knock on its stout oak door.
Turn to 250 .
34
You summon the energies of the Old Kingdom Spell Power Word and project them at a shelf of loose rock that overhangs the crevice. It shudders as the concussive energy of your spell slams into it. Moments later it collapses and comes crashing down, severing the rope like a guillotine as it tumbles past the crevice to disappear into the
Vargas
from being split it two. It rides the wave and emerges from the storm into calmer waters beyond. You thank Ishir that you have survived this ordeal, yet it soon becomes apparent that the storm is merely the prelude to an even greater threat to the ship's survival.
Turn to 230 .
26
As you leap from the parapet of the harbour bridge, you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell Invisible Shield to help protect yourself from the arrows that are now whistling past on all sides. It is a precaution that saves you from sustaining a serious wound. As you fall, you see an arrow deflected away from your chest by this invisible barrier.
Turn to 280 .
27
Defiantly you face the onrushing villagers with your Kai Weapon raised in your hand. They continue to fire their bows as they close upon you and several arrows strike you simultaneously in the chest. You are consumed by a sudden wave of darkness that obliterates your senses and, although you struggle to overcome come it, this proves to be one battle that you cannot win.
Tragically, your life and your quest end here.
28
You roll aside in a desperate attempt to avoid being crushed by the falling section of mast. Your swift action saves your life as the shattered timber slams through the decking, but unfortunately you do not move swiftly enough to avoid being struck on the head by a mass of trailing ropes and debris: lose 6 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 160 .
30
You push open the swing doors and enter a crowded taproom. Never have you seen so many different types of people and faces together in one place before, and it takes you a few moments to get over your initial surprise. Nobody pays you a second glance as you push your way through this exotic crowd of traders and travellers and make your way to the counter.
When you find the landlord you ask if he knows or has heard of Captain Radyard. The man laughs like a drain and nods his head enthusiastically.
‘Yes, yes, oh yes … Radyard. Him and his men stay here two nights ago. Fine men … good drinkers … fine fellows. They come here always when in Masama.’
The landlord goes on to say that he has not seen them since. He suggests that you ask at the Masama Warehouse. It is the place where they usually sell their cargo. You thank the landlord and turn to leave. As you reach the exit, you are tapped on the shoulder by a weasel-faced man who begs for a moment of your time.
‘Excuse me, sir,’ he says, ‘but I overheard you asking for Captain Radyard. I know the captain and I can take you to him. Only … well, I've a great thirst and I'm in sore need of some ale. Perhaps you would buy me an ale? Then I'd gladly take you to the captain.’
If you wish to buy the man an ale, turn to 264 .
If you do not, turn to 83 .
33
Two hours pass before the door to your cell is opened and an apologetic Hiojin appears. He is now convinced that you are not an assassin and, fearing a diplomatic row with the Dessian ambassador, he apologizes repeatedly for your arrest. He has your Weapons restored to you, and then he escorts you personally in a horse-drawn carriage to Lord Zinair's residence — the Dessian Consulate — in the city's North Quarter.
As the toadying officer and his carriage depart, you turn to face the entrance to the consulate building. With mounting anticipation, you climb the front steps and knock on its stout oak door.
Turn to 250 .
34
You summon the energies of the Old Kingdom Spell Power Word and project them at a shelf of loose rock that overhangs the crevice. It shudders as the concussive energy of your spell slams into it. Moments later it collapses and comes crashing down, severing the rope like a guillotine as it tumbles past the crevice to disappear into the
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