"YOU are the hero" : The Fate of Faraway 225

The confrontation is brutal, and for a mont, only you and your opponent exist, locked in a deadly dance. A powerful blow throws you backward, sending the tal mask protecting your identity flying. You feel the hot blood rushing down your face, blinding your left eye. Despite the pain, you realize the blow only grazed you, your eye unhard. However, you will bear a scar.

With a roar of rage, you charge forward. The Dwarf facing you is surprised, but you don't know if it's because he's discovered you're a woman or because of your sudden counterattack.

He tries to parry your weapon, but you take advantage of the fact that it's blocked by yours to headbutt your opponent. He's stunned, and you follow up with a left hook that sends him sprawling. His weapon slips from his hand and falls out of his reach.

The man returns your furious glare as you point your weapon at his face.

“I'd heard the Queen's Guard employed a lot of won,” he said. “Apparently, the rumor is true. I imagine you're also responsible for poisoning my n?”

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You smile.

“A harmless little poison,” you say. “What a pity you didn't succumb to it like your comrades: you'd be much more at ease on your sickbed than suffering this humiliating defeat at the hands of a woman.”

“I don't see what's so humiliating about that,” he replies. “It was an honorable fight between knights. The only humiliation I feel is the failure of my mission. Go on: finish off and let's not speak of it again.”

You nod, then, as is customary, give your na. He replies with his own:

“I am Bärb of Deepgold, a knight of the King. I have served with honor.”

While he closes his eyes, you quickly re-mask, hoping no one has seen you. Even though you don't understand the reason for the custom forbidding dwarf won from showing their faces to non-dwarves, you assu it must have so basis.

You raise your weapon above Bärb's head, ready to strike him down.

If you kill him, you can retrieve his Master Axe [ 1 Power] and 100 Coins. You will also note the code D5.

If you spare him, note the code F3.

In either case, proceed to the morized number.