The Buccaneers of Shadaki by Joe Dever

companions. In the face of this mindless abuse you lead them out of the tavern and begin retracing your route back to the harbour in the hope of reaching
The Azan
before night closes in completely. You are within a few hundred yards of the harbour entrance when suddenly a patrol of the city watch come marching around a corner with their spears couched on their chainmailed shoulders. Their officer commands you all to halt and demands that you raise your hands above your heads.
    If you wish to do as the officer has ordered, turn to 228 .
    If you decide to make a dash for the harbour, turn to 330 .

122
    You focus on the creature and utter the Old Kingdom word of power Gloar! The supernatural beast shudders as the force of your spell-word strikes, but it quickly recovers and continues its terrible attack upon your horse. Desperate now to save your weakening mount, you rush forward to strike the beast with your Kai Weapon.
    Tzoog: COMBAT SKILL  48    ENDURANCE  32
    This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Kai-surge). If you possess the Kai Weapon ‘Valiance’, add +8 to your COMBAT SKILL (instead of +5).
    If you win this combat, turn to 149 .

123
    You take a handful of coins from your Belt Pouch and offer them to Radyard as payment for your passage to Masama, but the jovial captain declines to accept them. There is plenty of room on his ship and he is happy to allow you to stay aboard for free. He refills your glass with ale and then he proposes a toast. It is one that you readily applaud:
    ‘To the long and continuing friendship of our peoples — to Sommerlund and Siyen!’
    Turn to 239 .

125
    You insert the key in the door and twist it. To your relief, you hear and feel the lock disengage and then the door creaks open to reveal a flight of spiral stairs which ascend into darkness above.
    Hurriedly you climb these stone steps and come to a landing where several corridors converge. Some are occupied by gaolers and other officials of Sesketera's citadel who are going about their duties. Then you hear the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs behind you, and it reminds you of the pressing need to keep moving. You draw upon your Magnakai Disciplines of Huntmastery and Pathsmanship to help in choosing the best route and, to your surprise, in so doing you discover a secret panel in the wall at the head of the staircase. You reach out and press a raised stud and the concealed panel slides open to reveal a narrow passageway beyond. Quickly you enter this passage and the panel automatically clicks shut behind you.
    Turn to 170 .

126
    You follow the shadowy alleyway until you arrive at a small square which is flanked on all sides by dingy hovels and derelict shops. Only one of these shops is open for business. A sign nailed above its worm-eaten door says: DULGH'S CURIOS.
    A bell tinkles as you push open the creaking door and a gust of stale, musty air makes you cough as you step into the gloomy interior. Despite its decrepit appearance, you quickly discover that this shop is full of strange and fascinating artefacts. One in particular catches your eye. It is a porcelain figurine of a small child which has uncannily lifelike eyes.
    ‘Ah, you're a Sommlending, and you're a connoisseur too I see,’ says a reedy voice. From behind a stand of rusty armour there suddenly appears a little old man. He squints at you through his thick spectacles and wrinkles his face into the semblance of a smile.
    ‘It is a genuine Nhang Doll, one of the original one hundred that were made for Emperor Hyunstai. Very rare indeed. I'm loath to sell but, well, times are hard. It can be yours for a mere 10 Gold Crowns.’
    Illustration VIII —‘It is a genuine Nhang Doll, one of the original 100 that were made for Emperor Hyunstai. Very rare indeed.’
    If you are willing to buy this doll for 10 Gold Crowns, turn to 21 .
    If you wish to buy the doll but would first like to barter with the old man to see if he will lower his price, turn to 99