### 108

You draw your Kai Weapon and wait patiently until both guards have turned their backs, and then you leap from cover and rush forward to attack them. Your first blow shatters the creature’s skull, and your second sends the remaining minion sprawling to the ground. This creature is mortally wounded, yet before it expires, it is able to emit a shrill cry of alarm that alerts the other Shom’zaa minions to your presence in the smelting cavern.

The dwarves are stunned by your sudden appearance, but they quickly recover and seize their chance to escape from the cage. A hand reaches through the bars and the bolt is pulled. Then the door bursts open and out they pour with a blood-curdling yell. You move aside to avoid being trampled as they rush to the ore wagons and arm themselves with rocks and tools. The torturers abandon their grisly work and come running towards the prison cage with their weapons raised. Three of these heartless minions target you. As they move in for the kill, you rush forward to counter their frenzied attack.

Shom’zaa minions: COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 42

If you win the combat, turn to 9.