### 146

You take aim at the guards and fire your Bow twice in quick succession (erase 2 Arrows from your Action Chart). Your first shot strikes in the head and kills its target instantly, but your second shaft fails to penetrate the minion’s body armour. This creature is knocked down by the force of the Arrow, yet 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 seize their chance to escape from the cage. Before the creature can get to its feet, 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. The surviving guard is trampled underfoot as the dwarves 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. Suddenly two of these minions appear beside your wagon. Hurriedly you shoulder your Bow and reach for your Kai Weapon as they turn on you and launch a frenzied attack.

Shom’zaa minions: COMBAT SKILL 33 ENDURANCE 38

You are unable to inflict any ENDURANCE loss on this enemy for the first two rounds of combat, due to the surprise and ferocity of their attack.

If you win the combat, turn to 9.