### 194

You hit the water with a mighty splash, and sink like a stone beneath the icy cold waves, yet the sudden shock serves to revive your battle-weary muscles and quickly you strike out for the surface. You emerge from the depths beside the hull of the enemy ironclad, which is slowly pulling away from the wreck of the Intrepid. The heads of the rivets, which protrude all along its steel bow, offer a secure handhold for your numb fingers and enable you to drag yourself on to the shallow deck. You have barely caught your breath when a Drakkar sailor, armed with a billhook, rushes forward and lunges at your head.

Drakkar Sailor: COMBAT SKILL 19 ENDURANCE 24

Unless you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Huntmastery, reduce your COMBAT SKILL by 2 points for the first round of this fight, owing to the surprise of your enemy's attack.

If you win the combat, turn to 243.

Text copyright © 1988 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1988 Brian Williams.