we shall make good our repairs and replenish our stores. That is all.’
The crew seem pleased by the captain's announcement, and set about their duties with renewed vigour.
Then the captain turns to you. ‘We're about eight hours from Ragadorn, my lord. My orders are to see you safely to Port Bax and pass you into the care of the Sommlending consul, Lord-lieutenant Rhygar. But time is not our ally and I fear the repairs may take a week or more to complete. When we drop anchor, you will have to find your own route to Durenor — by sea with us or alone by the coast road.’
As you return to your cabin, the King's words haunt your thoughts: ‘Forty days, Lone Wolf. We only have strength to stand against them for forty days.’ You do not have long to complete your dangerous mission.
Turn to 197 .
211
‘The consulate of Sommerlund?’ he says in surprise, somewhat taken aback by your sudden appearance. Then, recovering himself, he says, ‘Why, of course! It is in Alin Square, near the harbour. Turn right when you leave and right again at the end of the avenue. That will take you to the Red Gate. You'll need a red pass to enter, as the consulate is in the naval quadrant of the city. It's a restricted area.’
You ask the man how you can obtain a red pass.
‘From the captain of the port watch,’ he says. ‘You're obviously a stranger to Port Bax; there are few indeed that do not know the answer to that question. The port watchtower is at the end of the avenue, just as you turn for the Red Gate.’
You thank the old man and leave the city hall.
Turn to 191 .
212
Unfortunately, you are without a weapon and he is an expert swordsman. The fight is desperate and short. He runs you through the body with a swift lunge, and as he kicks you from the roof of the wagon, you feel nothing. You are already dead.
Your life and your mission end here.
213
You climb to the top of a pile of sheaves of hay and pull your warm Kai cloak around your shoulders to keep out the chill wind. You quickly fall asleep, little knowing you will never open your eyes again. One of the other passengers on the coach who is an agent of the Darklords creeps out and assassinates you in the dark chill of the night. Do you know who it was?
Your life and your quest have come to a tragic end here.
214
Once you are inside, you are immediately aware that this is not a shop at all. The room is cold and bare except for a large table in the centre. You notice sinister large iron manacles attached to each of its corners.
You are in the headquarters of the Silent Brotherhood, Lachlan's notorious secret police. With a mounting feeling of terror, you remember the tale of another Kai Lord; of how he had been captured and accused of spying. He had escaped after being tortured for three days and nights. You are not to be so fortunate. The door has automatically locked and soon the Silent Brothers, who are at this moment observing you through peep-holes in the wall, will come for you.
It may interest you to know that after a long week in the prison of the chief inquisitor you did not let a single Kai secret pass your lips. It is a record that has yet to be equalled, but not one that spared your life.
Your life and your mission end here.
216
For three days and nights the mighty fleet of Durenor steers swiftly towards the Holmgulf, a strong wind filling the sails of the warships. But although the voyage is fast, the soldiers' confidence and eagerness for battle has slowly faded as if their will has been drained by some invisible vampire. Lord Axim is close to despair.
‘This black mood that haunts our decks is the evil work of the Darklords. I know of their power to turn a man's mind, but the curse that befalls us is a sorcery we cannot even see to destroy. How I pray that this spell would end, for even if we arrive at our destination, I fear that we are too weak in mind to break our foe.’
As if in answer to his prayer, the black curse seems to be
The crew seem pleased by the captain's announcement, and set about their duties with renewed vigour.
Then the captain turns to you. ‘We're about eight hours from Ragadorn, my lord. My orders are to see you safely to Port Bax and pass you into the care of the Sommlending consul, Lord-lieutenant Rhygar. But time is not our ally and I fear the repairs may take a week or more to complete. When we drop anchor, you will have to find your own route to Durenor — by sea with us or alone by the coast road.’
As you return to your cabin, the King's words haunt your thoughts: ‘Forty days, Lone Wolf. We only have strength to stand against them for forty days.’ You do not have long to complete your dangerous mission.
Turn to 197 .
211
‘The consulate of Sommerlund?’ he says in surprise, somewhat taken aback by your sudden appearance. Then, recovering himself, he says, ‘Why, of course! It is in Alin Square, near the harbour. Turn right when you leave and right again at the end of the avenue. That will take you to the Red Gate. You'll need a red pass to enter, as the consulate is in the naval quadrant of the city. It's a restricted area.’
You ask the man how you can obtain a red pass.
‘From the captain of the port watch,’ he says. ‘You're obviously a stranger to Port Bax; there are few indeed that do not know the answer to that question. The port watchtower is at the end of the avenue, just as you turn for the Red Gate.’
You thank the old man and leave the city hall.
Turn to 191 .
212
Unfortunately, you are without a weapon and he is an expert swordsman. The fight is desperate and short. He runs you through the body with a swift lunge, and as he kicks you from the roof of the wagon, you feel nothing. You are already dead.
Your life and your mission end here.
213
You climb to the top of a pile of sheaves of hay and pull your warm Kai cloak around your shoulders to keep out the chill wind. You quickly fall asleep, little knowing you will never open your eyes again. One of the other passengers on the coach who is an agent of the Darklords creeps out and assassinates you in the dark chill of the night. Do you know who it was?
Your life and your quest have come to a tragic end here.
214
Once you are inside, you are immediately aware that this is not a shop at all. The room is cold and bare except for a large table in the centre. You notice sinister large iron manacles attached to each of its corners.
You are in the headquarters of the Silent Brotherhood, Lachlan's notorious secret police. With a mounting feeling of terror, you remember the tale of another Kai Lord; of how he had been captured and accused of spying. He had escaped after being tortured for three days and nights. You are not to be so fortunate. The door has automatically locked and soon the Silent Brothers, who are at this moment observing you through peep-holes in the wall, will come for you.
It may interest you to know that after a long week in the prison of the chief inquisitor you did not let a single Kai secret pass your lips. It is a record that has yet to be equalled, but not one that spared your life.
Your life and your mission end here.
216
For three days and nights the mighty fleet of Durenor steers swiftly towards the Holmgulf, a strong wind filling the sails of the warships. But although the voyage is fast, the soldiers' confidence and eagerness for battle has slowly faded as if their will has been drained by some invisible vampire. Lord Axim is close to despair.
‘This black mood that haunts our decks is the evil work of the Darklords. I know of their power to turn a man's mind, but the curse that befalls us is a sorcery we cannot even see to destroy. How I pray that this spell would end, for even if we arrive at our destination, I fear that we are too weak in mind to break our foe.’
As if in answer to his prayer, the black curse seems to be
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