### 260

The monster writhes in its death throes, spreading its blood like a huge crimson cloud through the warm tropical sea. For a fleeting moment you surface to take a breath; then you dive through the cloud of blood and retrieve your lost satchel from the coral reef. Having regained your precious charge, you stay submerged and swim towards the shore.

Aching and close to exhaustion, you crawl from the sea and work your way slowly up the beach to the cover of a fallen toa tree. Here you lie upon the wet sand and look out at the two ships standing half a mile off the coast. The longboat from The Triasus is circling the bloodstained water and its crew appear to be searching for your remains.

Pick a number from the Random Number Table.

If the number you have picked is 0–4, turn to 304.

If it is 5–9, turn to 54.