leave the gully and continue the long ride south.
Turn to 336 .
93
Once you are both aboard, Captain Raker gives the order to weigh anchor and soon
The Pride of Sommerlund
is forging a course once more through open seas. With all sails unfurled, the ship cuts a swift course through the foam-flecked ocean. During the afternoon your southerly passage is joined by a school of dolphins who entertain you by leaping and plunging into the azure waves. The wind is strong and the voyage continues without incident until, early the following morning, the isles off Cape Kabar appear in a line upon the southern horizon.
You meet with Fernant and Oriah on the rear deck and share a breakfast of bread and grilled Trarta. As you eat, you talk about yesterday's dive and the items that you found in the sunken wreck. You are enjoying the company of your travelling companions when suddenly the relaxed and easy mood is shattered by the lookout's frantic shout: ‘Pirate raider off the starboard bow!’
Turn to 165 .
94
The creature leaps upon you as you are falling backwards and you tumble down the circular stairs, locked together in a deadly embrace. It hits the floor of the landing below and its body cushions your impact, enabling you to recover quickly and unsheathe your weapon. The creature is momentarily stunned by the fall and you seize the opportunity to attack it before it can get to its feet.
Deathstalker (stunned): COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 38
You may ignore any ENDURANCE losses sustained in the first round of this combat. The creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Kai-surge).
If you win the combat, turn to 41 .
99
Before long you find that you have gathered enough wood to last all night. Laden with an armful of driftwood, you return to the dunes and build a fire which will keep the four of you warm and comfortable all night, despite the chill sea winds.
You each take a turn at keeping watch for two hours during the night. During your turn, unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must eat a Meal or lose 3 ENDURANCE points.
To continue, turn to 249 .
100
The
Desert Jewel
approaches Bisutan harbour late in the afternoon. The city itself is located upon an island in the estuary of the River Khorda and is linked to the mainland by two great stone bridges. You admire these wondrous spans from afar as the ship takes its place in a line of vessels that are waiting to dock at the crowded quayside. The magnificent harbour is full of people who have come here from the four corners of Magnamund to trade their wares. Travellers, merchants, farmers, priests, and slaves are just a few of the people you observe when finally the
Desert Jewel
is allowed to dock at the harbour wall.
Kol's trading partners are already waiting on the quayside to meet the ship. They are anxious to do business with him, but the battered state of the ship following yesterday's storm does little to inspire their confidence. The moment the gangplank is lowered, they come rushing aboard to inspect the timber in the hold. Kol bids you a hurried farewell as he and his crew thank you once more for saving their lives and their livelihoods. You disembark and push your way through the busy harbour square and enter a broad avenue which leads to the heart of this teeming city. At a place called Dhanamet Square you happen upon an evening bazaar. You are mindful of your need to find lodging for the night and some means by which you will be able to continue your journey to Elzian. As you stop to look at the market and the façades of the shops and taverns which border upon it, your eye is caught by the gaily-decorated merchant's stalls and the exotic wares displayed upon them.
If you wish to take a closer look at the market stalls, turn to 7 .
If you choose instead to try to find a place to stay for the night, turn to 236 .
102
You use your Kai healing skills to revive the old man and calm his trembling limbs. Then you help him to sit up
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