218

You are halfway across the ford when alarm bells sound on both sides of the river.

‘Deserter at the ford!’ goes the cry from the Eldenoran fort. ‘Enemy spy approaching!’ shout the Slovian guards.

Moments later, a hissing cloud of arrows and bolts descend on you from both sides and your horse is killed instantly in the crossfire. It crashes head-first into the water and you are thrown out of the saddle to land heavily amongst the rocks which lie strewn along the Slovian bank. You try to rise but suddenly an explosion of white light fills your vision and the taste of blood fills your mouth: you have been hit in the head by an armour-piercing arrow. Mercifully, death is virtually instantaneous.

Sadly, your life and your journey home come to an abrupt end here, on the Slovian banks of the River Storn.