159

The pitiful shrieks and groans of fallen men echo in your ears as you struggle to get back on your feet. ‘Stay with me, sire,’ you say to Karvas, as you scurry across the paddock and take cover behind a fence post. There is a lull in the carnage when your cowardly attackers pause to reload their crossbows, and you take full advantage of this momentary respite. You signal to Karvas to follow as you leap up and sprint from the paddock to the open doorway of the stables close by.

As you rush through the doorway you are brought skidding to a halt when you are confronted by seven armoured knights. Your stomach churns when you see that they wear the eagle’s-head emblem of Sadanzo upon their surcoats. Their presence here makes you realize that they have been following your trail ever since your daring escape from Cavalia. The delay that you experienced at Varedo bought them the few hours they needed in order to get ahead of you and set up their deadly ambush.

‘Farewell, Prince Karvas!’ growls a knight, his guttural voice partially muffled by the iron strips that criss-cross the visor of his iron helm. He raises his gleaming axe and all seven warriors rush forward and attack you simultaneously.

Sadanzo’s knights: COMBAT SKILL 45   ENDURANCE 38

You cannot evade this combat, but you may add 5 points to your COMBAT SKILL for the duration of this fight as Prince Karvas is fighting at your side. If you possess the Kai Weapon ‘Kaistar’ you may add the appropriate COMBAT SKILL bonus for fighting at night.

If you win the combat, turn to 108.