99
You have covered three miles of tree-line when Lieutenant Quang shouts a warning, ‘Over there!’ He is pointing into the trees to your left. You scour the sparse pines and undergrowth and see four dark shapes scurrying through the foliage. Although you cannot see them clearly, you are able to determine that they are not Chagarashi. As they stalk closer, Quang gives a signal to the Watchers to prepare their bows.
When you catch your first clear view of the approaching shapes, a chill runs down your spine. These creatures are muscular bipeds covered with a coarse grey fur. A bony ridge runs from their foreheads to the base of their stunted tails and each has a mouth filled with tiger-like fangs. They carry crude axes fashioned from flint and bone gripped tightly in their short-clawed hands.
‘Skarada!’ gasps Quang, and quickly he tugs his bow from its saddle holster and reaches to his quiver for an arrow.
‘I crossed paths with a Skarad many years ago in the Voxai Swamp. I still bear the scars of that accursed creature.’
If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 189.
If you do not have a Bow, or if you choose not to use it, turn to 256.