Voyage of the Moonstone by Joe Dever

him further, turn to 310 .

117
    You follow a shoal of yellow-tailed fish into the gaping hole in the hull and discover scores of boxes, bales, and casks lying scattered within. Most of the cargo sealed inside these containers is no longer of any use or value, yet inside one rotten casket you discover an item that gleams like new. It is a golden crown, embellished with rural scenes of a distant land that you recognize to be Siyen. (If you wish to keep this Siyen Crown, record it on your Action Chart as a Special Item.)
    Through the hole in the wrecked hull you glimpse Oriah ascending to the surface for air. Satisfied that there is little else of value aboard this wreck, you leave the hold and return to the bow of
The Pride of Sommerlund
.
    Turn to 93 .

118
    His staff wavers and the tip moves very slightly so that it is no longer pointing at the hilt of your Kai Weapon; it is now pointing at the pocket of your tunic in which you keep the ring. The elder's expression transforms once more, this time from a frown into a broad smile. Suddenly he seems pleased to see you and he steps aside to allow you to ride past the palisade.
    Turn to 347 .

119
    You say farewell to the three marines and wish them a swift and safe journey home to Sommerlund. Then you leave the tavern with Kol and make your way quickly to his ship which is moored at the end of the quay. Two of the Funtal's guards are patrolling the quayside but they do not challenge you as you board Kol's vessel. They only seem interested in foreign traders who are entering the harbour rather than those making a hasty departure. The Vassagonians who man the
Desert Jewel
seem a friendly crew, and they welcome Kol's return with cheerful humour. He in turn treats them like sons and it is clear from the way they converse that he is a very popular owner.
    The ship sets sail at noon and sails swiftly southwards with a benevolent wind filling its triangular sail. Kol expects the
Desert Jewel
to take a day and a half to navigate the two hundred and sixty miles of coastal water between Bir Rabalou and Bisutan. He suggests that you relax and enjoy the voyage, yet despite the fair weather and jovial company you are disturbed by a growing sense of unease. You spend your time on deck for the holds and cabins are filled to the brim with cargo. The only shelter from the sun which scorches the open deck is a makeshift spread of canvas near the stern. You are lying here in the shade when, late in the afternoon, you sense a storm brewing on the horizon.
    If you possess Grand Pathsmanship
and
Telegnosis, turn to 288 .
    If you do not possess both of these Grand Master Disciplines, turn to 129 .

120
    Before you can fully unsheathe your weapon, the creature slams into you and rakes your chest with her terrible claws: lose 4 ENDURANCE points.
    Bravely you struggle to your feet and raise your weapon to defend yourself as she lashes out at your face. You parry her blow and counter it by launching yourself headlong into a desperate fight to the finish.
    Deathstalker (mate): COMBAT SKILL  42    ENDURANCE  40
    This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Kai-surge).
    If you win the combat, turn to 76 .

122
    ‘There's no such place!’ says the rogue, and his eyes widen with fear.
    ‘By the gods! He does not know the name of his own capital!’ gasps one of his companions. His mouth drops open and he fumbles to unsheathe his sword. Suddenly it seems that everyone in the tavern is gripped by an inexplicable madness. The rogue pulls a dagger from his belt and attempts to stab you, but you turn his clumsy thrust aside with your forearm and knock him to the floor as you leap out of your seat. Two of the others try to strike you simultaneously with their swords and you duck below their blades. They strike each other and fall back, screaming and clutching at their wounds. A thrown bottle catches you a glancing blow to the head as you run for the door (lose 2 ENDURANCE points), but you manage to pull it