motion to the others that it is time to leave. Without a word they leave their tables and move towards the door, pausing only to pick up their injured comrade as they go. With the threats and crude curses of the Eldenorans ringing in your ears, you walk away from the Three Capstans Inn and return to the harbour. The crew feel angry and frustrated by what has happened, yet they know that your cool-headed intervention has saved them from far worse treatment at the hands of the brutish Eldenorans, and for that they are grateful.
Turn to 268 .
105
You unsheathe your Kai Weapon and take hold of its blade. As the looter raises his knife, you hurl it at him and it sinks deeply into his chest, spinning him backwards to the ground with the force of its impact. The other men roughly push Chinn aside and come rushing at you with weapons drawn. You can see by the look in their eyes that they are determined to avenge their fallen comrade.
Looters: COMBAT SKILL 34 ENDURANCE 29
You must fight the first round of this combat unarmed (you receive no weapon bonuses). If you possess a normal weapon, you may use it at the start of the second round.
If you win this combat, you may retrieve your Kai Weapon. You may then continue by turning to 257 .
107
When first you enter the mists, it seems as if you are no longer sailing upon a sea of water. It becomes a blended sea and sky of deep blue light, without horizon or boundary — a limitless space. Gradually you detect vague shadows passing quickly by, and then distant sounds, like muffled whispers, surging then pulsing away before you can catch the words. Then you see globes of darkness hovering to and fro, and your Kai senses scream a warning that these are invaders, evil intruders in this realm of ghostly mist. They grow in numbers and begin to spiral around your boat, whispering and laughing and babbling all the while. You feel your boat gradually slowing until it ceases to move at all. Fear grips you when you realise that these mischievous black spheres have the power to hold you prisoner, to keep you from ever reaching the shores of Lorn. Suddenly the vague sounds and voices in your mind begin to crystallize into words that you can understand.
You have proved your physical courage, foolish follower of Kai. But now you must put your mental strength to the test if you wish to find the Isle of Lorn.
The eerie voice laughs and you steel yourself to meet its mental challenge.
How many heads are fixed upon the harbour gate of Suhn?
If you think you know the answer to this challenge, turn now to the section which is the same as your answer. 12
If you do not know the answer to this challenge, turn to 158 .
[12] The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct.
108
You pat your Belt Pouch to make the coins inside jingle, and then you tell the innkeeper that you want to buy your companions a drink.
‘What's wrong wiv' you? Ya hard o'hearin'? I said get out and I meant get out!’ And with these harsh words the innkeeper flashes a glance at a group of mean-faced men who are standing along the counter. They put down their ales and then move slowly towards you, their hands hovering menacingly around the hilts of their swords and daggers. For a few anxious moments it looks as if a fight is about to break out, but then a gruff voice arises from the corner of the taproom and the men halt in their tracks.
‘Hold y'horses,’ says the commanding voice. ‘Let me speak with the Northlander.’
You peer across the smoky room and see that the voice belongs to a stout, bearded man who is sitting alone in an alcove. He beckons you to join him, but when you approach his table in the company of the Suhnese crewmen he suddenly snaps at you: ‘I said I wanted to speak to you, not these raggin' crows. If you want to do business with me, they'll have to wait for you in the street outside.’
If you decide to agree to his terms, turn
Turn to 268 .
105
You unsheathe your Kai Weapon and take hold of its blade. As the looter raises his knife, you hurl it at him and it sinks deeply into his chest, spinning him backwards to the ground with the force of its impact. The other men roughly push Chinn aside and come rushing at you with weapons drawn. You can see by the look in their eyes that they are determined to avenge their fallen comrade.
Looters: COMBAT SKILL 34 ENDURANCE 29
You must fight the first round of this combat unarmed (you receive no weapon bonuses). If you possess a normal weapon, you may use it at the start of the second round.
If you win this combat, you may retrieve your Kai Weapon. You may then continue by turning to 257 .
107
When first you enter the mists, it seems as if you are no longer sailing upon a sea of water. It becomes a blended sea and sky of deep blue light, without horizon or boundary — a limitless space. Gradually you detect vague shadows passing quickly by, and then distant sounds, like muffled whispers, surging then pulsing away before you can catch the words. Then you see globes of darkness hovering to and fro, and your Kai senses scream a warning that these are invaders, evil intruders in this realm of ghostly mist. They grow in numbers and begin to spiral around your boat, whispering and laughing and babbling all the while. You feel your boat gradually slowing until it ceases to move at all. Fear grips you when you realise that these mischievous black spheres have the power to hold you prisoner, to keep you from ever reaching the shores of Lorn. Suddenly the vague sounds and voices in your mind begin to crystallize into words that you can understand.
You have proved your physical courage, foolish follower of Kai. But now you must put your mental strength to the test if you wish to find the Isle of Lorn.
The eerie voice laughs and you steel yourself to meet its mental challenge.
How many heads are fixed upon the harbour gate of Suhn?
If you think you know the answer to this challenge, turn now to the section which is the same as your answer. 12
If you do not know the answer to this challenge, turn to 158 .
[12] The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct.
108
You pat your Belt Pouch to make the coins inside jingle, and then you tell the innkeeper that you want to buy your companions a drink.
‘What's wrong wiv' you? Ya hard o'hearin'? I said get out and I meant get out!’ And with these harsh words the innkeeper flashes a glance at a group of mean-faced men who are standing along the counter. They put down their ales and then move slowly towards you, their hands hovering menacingly around the hilts of their swords and daggers. For a few anxious moments it looks as if a fight is about to break out, but then a gruff voice arises from the corner of the taproom and the men halt in their tracks.
‘Hold y'horses,’ says the commanding voice. ‘Let me speak with the Northlander.’
You peer across the smoky room and see that the voice belongs to a stout, bearded man who is sitting alone in an alcove. He beckons you to join him, but when you approach his table in the company of the Suhnese crewmen he suddenly snaps at you: ‘I said I wanted to speak to you, not these raggin' crows. If you want to do business with me, they'll have to wait for you in the street outside.’
If you decide to agree to his terms, turn
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