176

Moments after you land your killing blow, your enemy’s magical sword flares up and disappears in a puff of vile-smelling vapour. The fighting has been heard throughout the tavern and a group of anxious locals, led by the tavern-keeper and armed with pitchforks and staves, are gathering outside in the courtyard. Rather than attempt to reason with them, you and Karvas saddle two fresh horses and gallop out of the stables as fast as you can. The tavern-keeper and his patrons scatter in all directions to avoid being trampled as you race across the courtyard and escape onto the highway beyond.

Despite the fatigue of your deadly combat, you force yourselves to ride all night. Early next morning, you stop to rest in a small coppice that borders the highway. You are exhausted, but before you sleep you must eat a Meal or lose 3 ENDURANCE points (unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery).

To continue, turn to 267.