### 288

You fight with breathtaking skill and every blow you land leaves an enemy dead at your feet. ‘Pull back!’ you shout, as you cut and thrust at the snarling Hammerlanders. ‘Pull back to the bridge!’

Gradually the survivors extricate themselves from the ambush and run back along the alley, leaving just you and two Lencian knights to cover the withdrawal. A knot of Hammerlanders, armed with axes, scream their blood-curdling war-cry and rush forward to hack you down.

Hammerlanders: COMBAT SKILL 29 ENDURANCE 40

Add 2 points to your COMBAT SKILL for the duration of the fight, for you are helped by the Lencians fighting by your side.

If you win the combat, turn to 44.