307

Preparing yourself for combat, you signal to the others to attack. The Ice Barbarians soon realize the danger and flee towards the west. To your dismay, you see that they are equipped with skis and can make a speedy escape. They have small poles attached to their fur-clad backs from which strange blue flags flutter. ‘Convoy scouts,’ says Irian, shielding his eyes from the glare of the snow. ‘Their blue “Banach”—their back flags—mean they’re scouts from a sledge pack. They’re probably on their way back from the trading post at Ljuk; their convoy can’t be more than a few miles away—five at the most.’

If you wish to press on to Ikaya and try to outrun the Ice Barbarians before they return with reinforcements, turn to 327.

If you wish to follow the scouts westwards and find out more about their convoy, turn to 178.