### 312

The brigand captain's men respond to his call for help and, with the sound of them closing in, you break off the fight and take to your heels. Thinking that he has terrified you into running away, the captain gives chase, but he soon loses you among the dense pines and calls off his pursuit. The area is alive with bandits and you are forced to flee northwards, away from the place where you left Bracer tethered to a tree. You are anxious for his safety and mindful that there are still many miles to be covered before you reach Lake Vorndarol, but you dare not turn back for him. Then you hear something that makes you halt in your tracks: it is the sound of a horse whinnying.

Turn to 223.

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