### 31

You carry the tray of food to the guards on duty outside the Rune Hall. When they see you approaching, they prop their halberds against the wall and raise the visors of their steel helmets.

‘Where’s Gragov?’ asks a guard, as you set the tray down on a small table beside the door.

‘He’s gone sick,’ you reply.

‘I hope it wasn’t something he ate!’ jokes his companion.

The moment the guards begin eating, you unsheathe your Kai Weapon and launch a surprise attack, slaying the nearest man with your first blow. As he drops to the floor, his comrade reacts with surprising speed. He ducks below your scything attack and quickly he retrieves his halberd. Swearing vengeance, he leaps at you and swings his bladed polearm at your head.

Élite Rune Hall Guard: COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 32

If you win this combat, turn to 120.