### 283

A black-shafted arrow gouges a furrow of skin from your forearm and knocks you backwards out of the saddle: lose 3 ENDURANCE points. Your horse panics and gallops away, disappearing over the brow of the ridge as you stagger to your feet. Then, with a harsh yell, your ambushers pour out of the log hut. They are eager to finish you before you can offer any resistance. Three of them are armed with bows which they reload as they advance towards you.

If you wish to evade them by wading across the ford, turn to 166.

If you have a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 131.

If you wish to draw a hand weapon and prepare for combat, turn to 251.