### 85

You watch with mounting anxiety as the Drakkar officer approaches the execution block. He halts beside the helpless Captain and signals to the gaolers to step back, to give him room to enact the execution. Then he takes an oiled stone from his pocket and an ugly sneer spreads across his face as he proceeds to sharpen the blade of the great axe with slow deliberation.

If you possess Kai-alchemy, turn to 136.

If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 253.

Text copyright © 1991 Joe Dever.
Illustrations copyright © 1991 Brian Williams.