Fire on the Water Read Online Free Page A

of wild dogs roam the wastelands at night.
    With these stories in mind, you decide to spend the night in the safety of a large leafy tree at the edge of the road.
    Your rest is very refreshing. Restore 2 ENDURANCE points (if any have been lost on your adventure so far) and turn to 312 .

29
    You release the lock and slide back the hatch cover. The sudden draught of air causes flames to billow out of the hold. You stumble backwards, clutching your burnt face. Lose 2 ENDURANCE points.
    ‘Fire! Fire!’ the cry goes up.
    In panic the crew fight to put out the flames. It takes over an hour to control the blaze. The damage is considerable — the entire store of food and fresh water was in that hold, and the fire has completely ruined both, as well as weakened the structure of the ship.
    As you stand surveying the wreckage, the captain approaches you, his face blackened by the smoke. He is carrying something in a bundle under his arm. ‘We must talk in private, my lord,’ he says quietly.
    Without replying, you turn and follow him below to his cabin.
    Turn to 222 .

30
    You land on the rotting timbers and crash straight through to the deck below. You are unharmed by the fall, but the stench of decay that fills your nostrils is overwhelming. You clamber up and unsheathe the Sommerswerd. Four ghastly zombies stagger out of the gloom, their twisted hands extended towards your throat. You must fight them as one enemy.
    Zombie Crew: COMBAT SKILL  13    ENDURANCE  16
    They are undead creatures, so remember to double all ENDURANCE points that they lose due to the power of the Sommerswerd. They are immune to Mindblast.
    If you win the fight, turn to 258 .

31
    Your first meeting with the Lord-lieutenant comes as something of a shock. You had perhaps half expected him to be a servile old man, as are the envoys of the southern lands that plague your King's court with their delegations. The man clad in heavy chainmail standing before you is neither old nor servile. You are soon to learn that Lord-lieutenant Rhygar is an exceptional man.
    Born of a Sommlending father and a Durenese mother, he has become something of a legend in this city. In the last decade, he has led an alliance of the nations to victory against the invading Ice Barbarians of Kalte. Wise in peace, fierce in war, you could not have wished for better company on your quest for the Sommerswerd.
    Rhygar orders that a sumptuous meal be served. It is by far the best food you have tasted since the war began. During the feast, you recall the events that have brought you to Port Bax, and reflect on the daunting challenge that still lies before you. After the meal, Rhygar sends for his physician who attends to your wounds. His potions restore 6 ENDURANCE points. Then he advises you to sleep, for you are to leave with the Lord-lieutenant for Hammerdal in the morning. 1

    Early next day, you are taken to an enclosed garden at the rear of the consulate where Rhygar and three of his best soldiers await you on horseback. They are to be your bodyguard and guides on the 230 mile ride to Hammerdal. The streets of Port Bax are just beginning to come to life as you ride through the town. Passing under the moss-covered city gate, you now feel confident that your mission will succeed.
    Pick a number from the Random Number Table .
    If the number you have picked is 0–4, turn to 176 .
    If it is 5–9, turn to 254 .
    [1] If you do not have a Backpack, you may choose to assume here that you are outfitted with one by Rhygar.

32
    You awake at dawn to the sound of a shrill cockcrow. You can see the crooked streets of Ragadorn through a veil of heavy rain beating down on the cobblestones outside. It has been six days since you left Holmgard and you are still 200 miles from Port Bax.
    You are in the loft of a very large coach station. A group of green-clad men have arrived and have started to clean out one of the coaches. You overhear one of them say that the coach leaves for Port Bax at one