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Three refugee wagons lay overturned in the shallow basin of the valley, their contents spilled out and scattered among the tall foliage. Lying among them are the torn and bloodied remnants of many Chai civilians. It is impossible to estimate just how many refugees have been slaughtered here for none of their corpses are wholly intact. You are sickened to witness several hulking grey shapes moving about in this killing field, pausing only to snatch up and gnaw at the remains of the dead.
You magnify your vision and focus on the bloodthirsty beasts responsible that are for this slaughter. The creatures are muscular bipeds covered with coarse grey fur. A bony ridge runs from their foreheads to the base of their stunted tails and each has a mouth filled with tiger-like fangs. Some have crude axes fashioned from flint and bone with which they brutally decapitate and dismember the corpses.
‘Skarada!’ gasps Quang, in disbelief. ‘I encountered a Skarad years ago in the Voxai Swamp. I still carry the scars of that accursed creature.’
Bai and Deng are so shocked and outraged when they survey this terrible scene that they cannot suppress their anger. Vehemently, they curse the murdering bloodthirsty beasts. Lieutenant Quang hisses at them to be quiet but their curses have already reached the ears of the closest Skarada. One of them emits a piercing shriek and a dozen of its confederates respond instantly. They cease their gruesome feasting and come bounding up the slope of the hill towards your position.
(Fight!)
Quang hurriedly unshoulders his bow and commands Bai and Deng to do likewise.
‘Fire at will!’ he shouts, and the three of them unleash a flurry of arrows at the advancing Skarada. Six of the enemy fall dead or wounded before the remainder reaches the top of the hill. Two of the beasts rush at you in a frenzied attack, their bloodstained axes held poised to hack you down.
(I have a +11 exactly. I toss a 1 and then a 2 and then a 9 and they die auto. I took 5)
You step back from the bodies of your slain enemies and call to the others to retreat from the hilltop. Together you scramble down the grassy slope as fast as your legs will carry you and race back to Chao and the horses. You are the first to mount up and you must choose which direction you wish to go to get away from a second wave of Skarada that have reached the top of the hill. One of them comes racing down the slope in a desperate attempt to stop you getting away. You scan the surrounding countryside and realise that you cannot head east towards the highway; a war party of Chagarashi are now awaiting you on the grassy plain and they are determined to stop you from escaping this way.
(South to the hills)
Quang and the Watchers mount their horses and follow as you urge you horse southwards through the dense chest-high grass. A Skarad attempts to cut you off, but the smell of its foul fur spurs your horse to the gallop and it races headlong through the tangled grasses and foliage. In frustration, the Skarad hurls its axe at you and the sharp flint blade slices your upper right arm as it spins past: lose 2 ENDURANCE.
Your horse continues its flight across the rain-soaked grassland until the howls of the Skarada can no longer be heard. Quang and the Watchers catch up with you and you draw your horses in a circle to pause and assess your options. The lieutenant is anxious to press on, mindful of the need to reach Vabou before darkness. Wearily, the Watchers agree and you continue southwards across the increasingly gloomy plain. You have covered a few miles when you spot a farmstead in the distance. You magnify your vision and see that it has been abandoned; its door swings open and shut in the wind.
Quang says you should investigate it and readily you agree. The Watchers are physically and emotionally exhausted and you are all sorely in need of some rest. Upon reaching the deserted farmstead, you dismount and tie your tired horses to its fence post before entering.
You approach the open door of the farm house and enter. Having determined that this dwelling is empty, you beckon the others to join you and then you wedge the door open with a kitchen knife that is lying discarded on the floor. The interior of this dwelling shows signs of having been abandoned in a hurry. The embers of a log fire are still aglow in its stone fireplace, and the remnants of a hastily eaten meal remain on the table. You draw up a chair and seat yourself at the table, making sure you have a clear view through the open doorway to the hills beyond.
The Watchers seat themselves around the table and rest their weary heads in their hands. Quang remains standing nearby. Bai, Chao and Deng are close to tears. They have been badly affected by the massacre of the refugees. Quang tries to console them but they are consumed with grief. He reminds them that they must put duty first. Escorting you to your rendezvous place must be their first and foremost concern. By fulfilling this goal they will help bring about the swift avenging of the murdered refugees. The lieutenant’s words are inspiring and the Watchers draw strength from them. Soon they are able to compose themselves and refocus on doing their duty.
Quang is able to gather enough food from the kitchen shelves to provide everyone with a meal. As you eat in silence, you detect movement along the ridge of the distant hills. You leave the table and go to the open doorway to get a better look. It is as you suspect; a war party of Skarada are moving along the crest and they are heading in your direction.
‘They are coming!’
Your warning galvanises your companions into action. As one, they rise from the table and quickly gather their weapons and equipment. In less than a minute you are all back in the saddle and heading south, eager to avoid being caught by the murderous Skarada.
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