>TM 4 >LS 2 >PS ON >PL66 >SM6 >CP ON >FO OFF >------L-----------------------!----------------------------R δ262δ Tolshi the helmsman climbs out of the hatchway to the Š stern hold and he hurries over to the Captain's side. Š He reports that the ship is holed below the waterline, Š close to the rudder, and that she is fast taking on Š water. Jenkshi inspects the damage for himself and Š immediately sets his crew to work at patching up the Š damage. They do their best with the materials Š available but still ιThe Azamι continues to take on Š water. Jenkshi estimates that the ship will stay Š afloat no more than three hours unless proper repairs Š are carried out, and he orders Tolshi to set a course Š for Dlash-da Ralzuha - the nearest port. You voice your fear that Shadakine pirates may already Š occupy this port, but Jenkshi laughs when he hears Š this. "If you knew Dlash-da Ralzuha like I do, you'd know we Š have no cause to worry about running foul of any Š buccaneers there. It's a slum port. A rubbish dump. It's name means 'Junkyard of the Ralzuha' and it Š certainly lives up to its name." Your first glimpse of Dlash-da Ralzuha confirms Š everything Jenkshi has said about it. Its rust-red Š hovels and stinking shacks are grouped haphazardly Š around the rim of a natural stone harbour formed by a Š semi-circle of black volcanic rocks. Flocks of vultures Š hover in the skies, swooping to feed occasionally on Š rafts of rotting debris which litter the shoreline. It is late in the afternoon and ιThe Azanι is listing Š alarmingly to starboard when at last she enters the Š stench-filled harbour of Dlash-da Ralzuha. It seems Š that the whole population of this derelict little port Š turns out to greet your arrival. For the natives it is Š something of a special occasion, for so rarely do Š ships ever visit their squalid harbour. Despite their wretched living conditions, the poverty- Š stricken tribal natives of Dlash-da Ralzuha give ιThe Š Azanι a warm welcome, and they seem genuinely eager to Š help Jenkshi and his crew with the repair of the Š ship's hull. Grooja, the port's oldest man and tribal Š leader, provides Jenkshi with fifty native men to help Š with the unloading of the cargo in order that the Š damaged section of the hull can be raised above the Š waterline. The Captain sets them to work and he Š estimates that adequate repairs could be made Š overnight to enable the ship to sail on the first high Š tide tomorrow. The crew are pleased to hear this news. Š None of them want to stay in Dlash-da Ralzuha a minute Š longer than is absolutely necessary. Turn to β69β