### 86

You stare unblinkingly into his cruel, dark eyes. Suddenly he lunges forward, a curved dagger gleaming in his hand. Its razor-sharp blade speeds towards your throat, but you counter his attack in an instant with a savage swipe that shears his arm off at the elbow. Arm and dagger fall to the table and the soldier falls screaming to the floor. His comrade kicks back his bench and steps away as he fumbles for his sword. With a drunken yell he whirls the heavy blade around his head and leaps forward to attack.

Drunken Mercenary: COMBAT SKILL 15 ENDURANCE 26

If you wish to evade combat, turn to 328.

If you stay and win the combat, turn to 170.