### 301

With the speed and grace of movement that marks you as a Kai Master, you load, take aim, and fire. Your Arrow pierces the lordling’s forearm as his sword descends, causing the blow to splinter stone, not skull. He utters a shrill cry and spins backwards, cradling his wounded arm as he falls.

‘Curse you, scum!’ he shrieks. ‘I am Roark, highborn of Amory. I shall have your life for this—mark my words!’

Trembling with pain and fury, he staggers to his feet and demands his cloak from the innkeeper before stumbling into the night with a welter of threats and curses.

Turn to 281.