>TM 4 >LS 2 >PS ON >PL60 >SM6 >CP ON >FO OFF >------L-----------------------!---------------------------R β331β You pass the hours before daybreak in a restless, Š semi-conscious state. You cannot sleep properly for Š your mind is tormented by the gnawing fear that your Š mission has come to an early and tragic end. You rise Š before dawn and try to overcome your melancholic mood Š by tending to the three wounded crew members. Through Š the use of your Kai curing skills you are able to Š accelerate their own natural healing processes so Š that, when daybreak finally arrives, they are no Š longer incapacitated by the injuries they received in Š the crash. As grey morning light filters down through the canopy Š of the forest, it reveals a corridor of smashed and Š flattened trees lying in the wake of the crippled Š ιStarstriderι. Acraban and his bo'sun make a lengthy Š inspection of the craft and then report their Š findings. "The glad news is that she's repairable," pipes Š bo'sun Gora, confidently. "She looks bad but her Š engine's as sound as a bell. We've the materials and Š tools aboard to fix 'er stabilisers, and there's Š mor'n enough timber 'round here to patch up the decks Š and hull." Acraban nods his agreement yet, unlike his Š bo'sun, his face remains dour. "Aye, she'll fly again," confirms Acraban, "but it'll Š take us close to a month to craft the parts we need Š to repair the stabilisers." He turns to Prince Karvas Š and says: "Alas, my lord, by then it will be too late Š to reach Seroa in time for your crowning." "What if we were to seek aid from the craftsmen of Š Bakhasa?" you say, knowing by instinct and a brief Š study of your map that this city can be no further Š than a hundred miles away to the east. "Could the Š repairs be made any sooner with their help?" "Expect no help from that quarter," replies Karvas, Š coolly. "During my time in Mydnight I heard many Š stories about Bakhasa and its ruler - the Imperial Š Autarch Sejanoz. They were all chilling tales. They Š say it's a cruel and evil place - a city without a Š soul where human life counts for little. If you wish Š to live to see your homeland again, master Acraban, Š you should not seek the help of the Bakhasians. Š Better by far to keep your work hidden from their Š eyes." "But, my lord," replies Acraban, "what of your Š kingdom? Are you prepared to surrender your Š birthright to Baron Sadanzo?" "No, never!" retorts Karvas, suddenly angered by the Š wizard's suggestion. "There are twenty-one days yet Š before the feast of Harvestmas. With the blessing of Š the gods, I vow I shall be in Seroa on that day to Š claim my ascedence." The Prince proposes to set off for Seroa on foot. He Š says that he will go alone and that you should stay Š here to help Acraban restore the ιStarstriderι, Š returning with him to Sommerlund once the repairs are Š complete. Politely you refuse his proposal. You have Š vowed to Lone Wolf that you will carry out your Š mission and, despite adversity, you will not abandon Š your duty. It is a matter of Kai honour that you Š should escort him to Seroa. Turn to β124β β124β The Prince smiles when you refuse to let him attempt Š the long journey to Seroa alone. "Very well, Grand Master," he says, "so be it. In Š truth, I could not hope for a more worthy companion Š on the road ahead. Come, let us plan our way as best Š we can." Acraban has one of his men fetch his compass and Š charts from the skyship to help you to determine the Š swiftest route overland to Seroa. You quickly Š establish your present location and suddenly you Š realise how difficult the journey ahead will be. Š Seroa lies over twelve hundred miles to the east, Š beyond mountains, plains and uncharted wilderness. You calculate that in order to reach the city in time Š you must cover no less than sixty miles every day. "On foot, across such harsh terrain...it is Š impossible," says Acraban, shaking his head. "Perhaps Š so," replies Karvas, "but if we had horses then it Š could be done." You scan the surrounding forest and let your Kai Š senses wander afar. "There are no horses in this Š timberland, my lord" you say, certain in the Š knowledge that your judgement is correct. Karvas Š acknowledges your skill with a wry smile. "I take great pride in my magical powers," interjects Š Acraban, jovially, "but even I, my lord, cannot Š summon horses from out of the air. Where, pray tell, Š do you hope to find mounts with strength enough to Š carry you all the way home?" Karvas turns his eyes to the east and says: "Why, in Š Bakhasa of course. Mark you, the citizens of that Š fell city will not help us out of the goodness of Š their hearts, of that we can be sure. But they have Š horses - strong Bhanarian stallions. Perhaps, Grand Š Master, we shall be able to borrow a pair?" You laugh with Prince Karvas at the audacity of his Š plan and you feel your spirits rise. A long and Š dangerous journey lies ahead, yet you are impressed Š by the Prince's courage and determination and you Š feel confident once more that your mission can Š succeed. Acraban approves also. He and his men will Š stay and restore the ιStarstriderι and then fly back to Š Toran as soon as they are able. Mindful that time is not your ally, you gather your Š weapons and equipment together in readiness to leave. Š After bidding farewell to Acraban and his crewmen, Š you set off with Prince Karvas into the great forest, Š heading east. The vast timberland is rich with game, Š roots, and berries, and you are able to hunt and Š gather food on the move (you gather enough for 2 Š Meals). By noon you have made good progress and have Š reached the eastern fringe of the forest. Beyond lies Š an undulating plain that gradually descends towards a Š wide river. To the north-east, sitting astride this Š river, you glimpse the dark outline of a city. "That's Bakhasa," says Karvas, confidently. You Š magnify your vision and estimate it to be no more Š than fifty miles distant. "With luck, we should make Š it there by midnight." Pick a number from the ιRandom Number Tableι. If the number you have chosen is β0β - β4β, turn to β35β If it is β5β - β9β, turn to β220β