### 276

The impact of your killing blow knocks the guard headlong backwards onto the hard stone floor. Unfortunately, the noise of combat has alerted his comrades and, as you stoop to grab the key from the dead man’s belt, you hear the sound of their hobnailed boots as they storm down the stairs. The leading pair are armed with bows and, as they reach the bottom of the staircase, they kneel and take aim.

‘Surrender or die!’ shouts their sergeant-at-arms, brandishing an axe.

If you wish to raise your hands in surrender, turn to 267.

If you wish to defy his order, turn to 95.