302
The death shrieks of the slain Chagarashi echo through the rain swept hills. As if in answer to their dying cries, a chorus of shrill screeches issues from the surrounding trees.
‘There are more of them!’ gasps Anseng. ‘We must get away from here at once.’
There is no sign of your bolted horse and no time to search for him. Hurriedly, you and your guide climb onto the wagon and urge Chengu to move off. He is trembling with shock and does not respond. Anseng pulls him from the driver’s bench and lays him down among the sacks of rice in the rear of the wagon. As he tends to his petrified friend, you take up the reins and urge the horse team to advance. They are traumatised by the sight and smell of the dead Chagarashi and refuse to move, but by using your Magnakai Discipline of Animal Control you calm them and get them to respond. They take off at a brisk pace, trampling the lifeless carcasses of the slain Chagarashi into the mud as they go.
You have travelled less than a mile along the winding highway when the horse team slows down. Their fear has returned. Despite your concentrated effort to soothe their troubled minds, you are rapidly losing control over them.
If you possess Grand Huntmastery and have achieved the rank of Sun Lord or higher, turn to 278.
If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, or if you have yet to achieve the required rank, turn to 237.