### 132

Holding your breath, you unsheathe your weapon and press yourself to the cliff wall. You plan to take the approaching Giaks by surprise, cut your way through them to the summit, and then escape before the pursuing group can catch up. It is a bold manoeuvre and one that does not allow for the night-sharp eyes and cruel cunning of the Giak commander. From his position atop the cliff he watches your every move.

‘Koga!’ he shouts, and both search parties freeze in their tracks. ‘Dulaga zaj!’ Suddenly there is a sound like rushing water, and then a terrible pain rips through your chest as you are hit by a score of black arrows, fired by Giak archers kneeling at the edge of the cliff. You gasp for breath as a terrifying numbness spreads throughout your body. Although you fight to stay on your feet, you can no longer feel your legs. Stiffly you fall from the path and crash to your doom on the beach below.

Your life and your mission end here on the shores of the Darklands.