### 153

You release the shaft and it whistles towards the bandit leader, but he sees its deadly approach and raises his polished steel shield. Your heart sinks as the arrow is turned aside; it shatters harmlessly against the watchtower wall. Before you can fire again, the bow is suddenly kicked from your grasp. You are confronted by an armoured warrior. He stands above you on the barricade wall, and you cannot evade his attack.

Vassagonian Warrior: COMBAT SKILL 17 ENDURANCE 26

You sheathed your weapon in order to use the bow, but unfortunately the warrior attacks before you can draw it to defend yourself. Therefore you must deduct 4 points from your COMBAT SKILL for the first two rounds of combat. If you are still alive by the third round, you manage to unsheathe your weapon and retaliate.

If you win the combat, turn to 174.