275
The following day, you, Urik, and the fighters of the Freedom Guild are ensconced in the tall grass at the edge of the marsh. In the distance gleams the city of Karnali overlooking the Suhni and Belzar Rivers. Along the Great Suhn Road that leads east away from Karnali, you see a long line of men, women, and children: slaves of the Shadakine. Warriors walk up and down the line, brandishing flails with needless ferocity. Suddenly, the charge is sounded and a wave of men pours out of the brush and runs towards the column of slaves.
The Shadakine guards fall into defensive positions along the road, but the stealth of the ambush outmanoeuvres them and they have no time to deploy effectively. ‘Shall we?’ you ask Urik. He grins broadly and gives vent to a bellowing yell before shambling out of the brush towards the fray as fast as his old bones will allow. You follow behind.