Free Fire on the Water by Joe Dever

lifted from the fleet with the dawning of the next day. But the spell is replaced by a threat far deadlier.
    Turn to 100 .

219
    Already the venom is taking effect. Your wounded arm feels stiff and a cold sweat has broken out on your brow. Quickly you remove the Pendant that Banedon gave you at the Ruins of Raumas. Using a sharp point of the star, you cut a deep V through the two puncture holes made by the fangs, and suck out the venom.
    The charm is lucky indeed — and so are you. You lose 3 ENDURANCE points but not your life. You decide to climb the tree and spend the rest of the night safely above the ground.
    Turn to 312 .

221
    The floor of the tavern is covered with the blood and bodies of the people you have killed. Outside in the main street you can hear the chant of a mob. The local inhabitants believe that you are a mad murderer and they intend to lynch you. Quickly, you make your escape through the rear door as the sound of the mob gets closer.
    Turn to 88 .

222
    After taking care to close his door, the captain opens the mysterious bundle and tips the contents onto his cabin table. A large charred earthenware jug and several blackened rags drop in a heap. They give off a strange oily smell.
    Illustration XIII —Captain Kelman opens the mysterious bundle and a large charred earthenware jug drops out.
    ‘This was no accidental fire,’ he says solemnly. ‘This was an act of sabotage. The forward hold is a food store yet I find this oil jug and these soaked rags upon the floor. Someone on this ship is prepared to risk his life to stop us reaching Durenor.’
    You both stare at the burnt rags as if they hold the answer to your questions. Suddenly a cry from up on deck breaks the silence.
    ‘Ship Ahoy! Ship off the port bow!’
    Grabbing his sword and telescope, the captain disappears through the door and up the ladder to the deck above.
    If you wish to follow him, turn to 175 .
    If you would rather make a quick search of his cabin, turn to 315 .

223
    The guard stares at the magnificent ring in awe. The legend of the Seal of Hammerdal is well known to the people of Durenor. It is said that of all the lost treasures of the Durenese, the Seal of Hammerdal is one that they would not wish returned. The guard's anxious face shows he clearly recognizes the ring's dreadful significance.
    ‘I will not hinder your urgent mission, but I cannot help you except to set you on the road for Port Bax. Continue on this forest path and you will come to a fork near a stunted oak tree. Take the left track — it is the quickest way.’
    You thank the loyal guard, and push on once more into the forest. A mile or so along the road, you come to the fork and take the left track. It leads to a stone bridge across the Rymerift. The waters of the Rymerift are over one mile deep and up to two miles at its widest point. Near to the bridge you find a signpost.
    Port Bax — 3 Miles
    You breathe a sigh of relief for you should arrive there in under an hour.
    Turn to 265 .

224
    The following morning you are woken by the cry of seagulls as they wheel and soar above the clipper. The wind is strong and it fills the sails. You breakfast with Captain Kelman who is in better spirits than the previous day. He tells you that the
Green Sceptre
is making good speed and should arrive at Port Bax, the main Durenese seaport, within a week. Suddenly you hear a cry from the crow's nest.
    ‘Land off the port bow! Land a'port!’
    You and the captain climb up on deck and brace yourselves against the fresh sea breeze.
    ‘That's Mannon, the southernmost island of the Kirlundin chain,’ says the captain, pointing towards the sharp rocky coastline in the distance. ‘“Wreck Point” the traders call it. Many a ship has ended her days upon those granite teeth.’
    Captain Kelman hands you an ornate telescope with which to take a closer look. The sharp rocks are festooned with the splintered skeletons of ships that have run aground, or were dashed against