when you cease playing and hurry out of the tavern. You join the others outside and laugh with them at the incredible stupidity of the Eldenorans. It is hollow laughter, but at least it helps to relieve the frustration of having to return early to
The Azan
.
Turn to 268 .
15
The boat scrapes aground on the stony shore and you take your first few tentative steps upon the soil of this legendary isle. As you ascend the beach, instinct prompts you to unbuckle your satchel and remove the Moonstone which is now aglow and throbbing rhythmically, like the beat of a giant's heart. As you raise it before you, cupped reverently in both hands, the clouds part and you are bathed in a cone of brilliant sunlight.
Through the blinding glare of the sun's rays you see a procession of robed figures moving down the beach towards you. Tall and proud and enigmatically graceful, they each shine with a unique radiance that reveals the goodly power of their ancient arcane wizardry. Silently these Shianti encircle you and your senses become charged with a new vitality that instantly obliterates the fatigue of your long passage across the Sea of Dreams. (You may restore your ENDURANCE points total to its original score.) Then one of the divine beings moves nearer and, when you look into his eyes, you see your own image reflected there in his mirrored pupils.
Welcome, Grand Master, he says without speaking, his lyrical voice forming the words in your mind. We have prayed for your safe arrival. We praise you for the skill and courage you have shown during your long and difficult voyage to our realm. Come with us, for now you may rest awhile. Your quest is done.
Illustration I —
Welcome, Grand Master,
he says without speaking.
We have prayed for your safe arrival.
Turn to 350 .
16
You climb the stairs to the foredeck and scan the horizon for signs of a pirate raider. Less than a mile away you can see a huge vessel with a purple mainsail sailing towards the strait. Captain Radyard appears at your side and he views the approaching craft through his telescope.
‘Weigh anchor!’ he orders. ‘Unfurl all canvas. I want every ounce of speed she'll give us, lads.’ The captain's urgent orders stir the crew into a frenzy of activity. As they set about their duties, you ask Radyard what is wrong. Without taking his eye from his telescope he says:
‘That's Sesketera's flagship —
The Triasus
. I'd recognize her sails anywhere. That scoundrel must want you badly to have sent the pride of his battle fleet after the likes of us.’
With all canvas lowered, the
Seasprite
cuts a rapid course through the glassy blue waters of Kastrow's Door. Yet
The Triasus
has the advantage and relentlessly she closes the gap until no more than 30 yards of water separate her from the
Seasprite
's starboard beam. The Siyenese cajole and curse and wave their fists at their pursuers, but their bravado soon crumbles when they find themselves staring into the muzzles of a double row of wide-bored naval cannon. A warning shot from a swivel gun whistles through the
Seasprite
's rigging, and then you hear the voice of Sesketera himself.
‘Surrender the Northlander to me, captain,’ he shouts, through a loudhailer, ‘or I'll have my gunners blow your ship out of the water!’
Radyard glances at you with fear in his eyes. He knows that he cannot outrun
The Triasus
, and he also knows that Sesketera is not a man who is given to making idle threats.
If you wish to volunteer to surrender to Sesketera in order to save Captain Radyard and his ship, turn to 113 .
If you decide instead to abandon the
Seasprite
and attempt to swim for the shore, turn to 92 .
17
You recite the words of the Brotherhood Spell Levitation and rise rapidly into the air. Moments later a second bolt of energy leaps from the elder's hand, but this passes harmlessly below your feet. The old man emits a cry of shocked surprise at your sudden ascension, and then he runs towards the village, shrieking
The Azan
.
Turn to 268 .
15
The boat scrapes aground on the stony shore and you take your first few tentative steps upon the soil of this legendary isle. As you ascend the beach, instinct prompts you to unbuckle your satchel and remove the Moonstone which is now aglow and throbbing rhythmically, like the beat of a giant's heart. As you raise it before you, cupped reverently in both hands, the clouds part and you are bathed in a cone of brilliant sunlight.
Through the blinding glare of the sun's rays you see a procession of robed figures moving down the beach towards you. Tall and proud and enigmatically graceful, they each shine with a unique radiance that reveals the goodly power of their ancient arcane wizardry. Silently these Shianti encircle you and your senses become charged with a new vitality that instantly obliterates the fatigue of your long passage across the Sea of Dreams. (You may restore your ENDURANCE points total to its original score.) Then one of the divine beings moves nearer and, when you look into his eyes, you see your own image reflected there in his mirrored pupils.
Welcome, Grand Master, he says without speaking, his lyrical voice forming the words in your mind. We have prayed for your safe arrival. We praise you for the skill and courage you have shown during your long and difficult voyage to our realm. Come with us, for now you may rest awhile. Your quest is done.
Illustration I —
Welcome, Grand Master,
he says without speaking.
We have prayed for your safe arrival.
Turn to 350 .
16
You climb the stairs to the foredeck and scan the horizon for signs of a pirate raider. Less than a mile away you can see a huge vessel with a purple mainsail sailing towards the strait. Captain Radyard appears at your side and he views the approaching craft through his telescope.
‘Weigh anchor!’ he orders. ‘Unfurl all canvas. I want every ounce of speed she'll give us, lads.’ The captain's urgent orders stir the crew into a frenzy of activity. As they set about their duties, you ask Radyard what is wrong. Without taking his eye from his telescope he says:
‘That's Sesketera's flagship —
The Triasus
. I'd recognize her sails anywhere. That scoundrel must want you badly to have sent the pride of his battle fleet after the likes of us.’
With all canvas lowered, the
Seasprite
cuts a rapid course through the glassy blue waters of Kastrow's Door. Yet
The Triasus
has the advantage and relentlessly she closes the gap until no more than 30 yards of water separate her from the
Seasprite
's starboard beam. The Siyenese cajole and curse and wave their fists at their pursuers, but their bravado soon crumbles when they find themselves staring into the muzzles of a double row of wide-bored naval cannon. A warning shot from a swivel gun whistles through the
Seasprite
's rigging, and then you hear the voice of Sesketera himself.
‘Surrender the Northlander to me, captain,’ he shouts, through a loudhailer, ‘or I'll have my gunners blow your ship out of the water!’
Radyard glances at you with fear in his eyes. He knows that he cannot outrun
The Triasus
, and he also knows that Sesketera is not a man who is given to making idle threats.
If you wish to volunteer to surrender to Sesketera in order to save Captain Radyard and his ship, turn to 113 .
If you decide instead to abandon the
Seasprite
and attempt to swim for the shore, turn to 92 .
17
You recite the words of the Brotherhood Spell Levitation and rise rapidly into the air. Moments later a second bolt of energy leaps from the elder's hand, but this passes harmlessly below your feet. The old man emits a cry of shocked surprise at your sudden ascension, and then he runs towards the village, shrieking
Similar Books
Rush
Maya Banks
Inhale, Exhale
Sarah M. Ross
Right Hand Magic
Nancy A. Collins
Spring Perfection
Leslie DuBois
Menage on 34th Street
Elise Logan
Season of Hate
Michael Costello
The Bride's Farewell
Meg Rosoff
Fan the Flames
Katie Ruggle
Orwell
Jeffrey Meyers
The Education of Bet
Lauren Baratz-Logsted