### 42

You watch and wait with growing trepidation as the guards search the parlour and its adjoining rooms. Then suddenly the closet door is pulled open and you find yourself staring into the self-satisfied face of an Eldenoran sergeant.

‘I’ve found him!’ he bellows, and six guardsmen who are searching the yard come racing up the stairs with their swords drawn. You fight bravely and slay them all, but the word of your whereabouts quickly spreads and within minutes you are cornered in the cooperage by more than a hundred of Vandyan’s troops. Their leader has placed a bounty of 10,000 Gold Crowns upon your head, payable upon delivery of your body to Skull-Tor, dead or alive. Spurred on by the promise of this huge reward, his troops attack you repeatedly until you are finally overwhelmed by the sheer weight of numbers.

You may take some comfort in the fact that you fulfilled your vital mission. By destroying the Runes of Agarash you have saved Magnamund from the tyrannical rule of Vandyan. It is a great victory, but one that you have paid for with your life.