| 322 The first attack by the Hresh is a frantic combat that you only barely survive. Slashing out wildly at the soldiers you manage to keep them at a distance, however you know that it will only be a matter of time before they kill you. Looking around you try to find Pallenten but she is out of sight. Over the clamour of your own combat you can hear the sounds of another struggle going on somewhere over the crest of the hill, it seems that Pallenten is putting up a fight all of her own. Suddenly from the long grass to the right of your position spring a dozen Kalborean Rangers. Instantly you realise that the second set of tracks must have been these Rangers, tracking the Hordim and awaiting the right moment to attack. Powerful and well-trained, the Rangers have kept the lands of Kalborea safe from the Horde for centuries. Usually they patrol the Rift Mountains to the north, guarding all the mountain passes that allow access from the Sanhar Wastes beyond. Lethal in combat, their only mission is the extermination of any Hordim that attempt to enter the lands of men. The fact they are here shows the Horde has found a way through the mountains and must now be infiltrating south. To find yourself between the Rangers and their quarry is probably the most dangerous place to be in all the lands of Arborell. Armed with long bows the Kalboreans do not hesitate, as one they let loose a barrage of metal-tipped arrows straight into the now disorganised group of Hresh soldiery. You are caught in the middle of this group, and the Rangers seem unconcerned that you may be hit by one of these deadly missiles. Crouching low you try and flee the camp, the only safety lying beyond the crest of the hill and away from the Rangers' keen eyes. As you stumble through the melee you are hit heavily by one of the Hresh, who strikes out at you as you try to pass. Falling to the ground you struggle to raise yourself, but are then felled again by a second blow that takes all the strength from your legs . Lying there in the killing zone the now frantic Hresh fall about you, arrows whistling through the air, striking the ground at your feet and side. Trapped in the midst of the barrage there is no way you can avoid being hit and are mortally wounded, three arrows driving their way into you chest. Here on the plains you die, the victim of a Kalborean ambush. Perhaps in a latter life you will have better luck. __________________________________________________________ Home | ReadMe | Instructions | Inhabitants | Map of Northern Kalborea Quick Find Page| Email | Book Two - Earth and Stone