>TM 4 >LS 2 >PS ON >PL60 >SM6 >CP ON >FO OFF >------L-----------------------!---------------------------R β29β You hurry past the gate guards and through the open Š archway into a flagstoned concourse. You are about to enter a seemingly empty avenue which Š bisects the city's west quarter, when a armed soldier Š suddenly appears from out of a darkened doorway. He Š raises his spear and commands you to halt. If you wish to obey the soldier's command, turn to Š β325β If you choose to ignore his order, you can attempt to Š escape by running away. Turn to β82β β325β As the soldier approaches you realise that he is only Š aware of Prince Karvas. You have not been seen; the Š darkness, and your innate Kai camouflage skills have Š kept you hidden from sight. Silently you sidestep Š into the shallow archway of an adjacent house and Š unsheathe your Kai weapon. Karvas stands in the Š avenue, his eyes fixed on the approaching guard so as Š not to betray your presence. Nervously the soldier Š approaches the prince with his spear levelled at his Š chest. He commands Karvas to state the name of his Š regiment, and when he deigns to reply, your sixth Š sense suddenly warns you that the guard is about to Š raise the alarm. Like an attacking panther, you leap from the shadowy Š arch and strike the guard at the base of the neck Š with the hilt of your weapon. Without uttering a Š sound he crumples at the knees and falls unconscious Š to the ground. Quickly you and Karvas drag his body Š away from the avenue and hide it in a alleyway. Š Before you leave, you make a quick search of the Š soldier's pockets and backpack and discover the Š following items: 30 Ren (equivalent to 3 Gold Crowns) Spear Sword Dagger Bottle of Rice Wine 1 Meal Ivory Comb If you wish to keep any of these items, adjust your Š ιAction Chartι accordingly. You hurry away from the alley and continue along the Š avenue, past grimy two-storied houses of carved Š hardwood that are silent behind their bolts and Š shutters. It leads to a stone bridge that traverses Š the River Tehda and then continues into the heart of Š the east quarter. Here you almost collide with a Š patrol of armed guards who are marching towards the Š river, and hurriedly you are forced to take cover in Š a timberyard to avoid being seen. You observe the Š ten-strong patrol as it marches past. These men are Š clad in black quilted tunics and wide silk leggings, Š and they are armed with curved swords and hand-axes. Š All are almond-eyed and they have shiny black hair Š that is tied in a knot at the nape of their necks. Š Their leader, a stocky bull-necked sergeant, wears Š the emblem of Sejanoz emblazoned upon a scarlet arm Š band. Patiently you wait for them to reach the Š bridge, but as they do so another patrol comes Š marching along the avenue from the opposite Š direction. The east quarter of Bakhasa is a busy Š place even at this late hour. Rather than risk being Š seen and captured, you decide to remain hidden in the Š timberyard and attempt to get a few hours sleep Š before dawn. Unless you possess the discipline of Grand Hunt- Š mastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 ENDURANCE Š points. To continue, turn to β340β