The confrontation is brutal, and for a moment, only you and your opponent exist, locked in a deadly dance. A violent blow throws you to the ground, shattering the metal mask that protects your identity and sending your helmet flying. You feel the hot blood run down your face, blinding your left eye. Despite the pain, you feel the blow has only grazed you, your eye remaining intact. However, you will bear a scar.
In the shock, you lose your weapon. But as you reach for it, your opponent's foot is already on top of it. His other foot, planted on your chest, pins you to the ground. His weapon is raised toward your unprotected head.
You angrily scrutinize your opponent's bearded face. As he threatens you with his weapon, you see him pick up a small object from the ground with his other hand and look at it with amusement: it's a braided lock of your hair, cut off when he shattered your mask.
“I’d heard that the Queen’s Guard employed a lot of women,” he said. “Apparently, the rumor is true. I imagine you’re also responsible for poisoning my men?”
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You will not answer him in your current posture, but you couldn’t help but let a wry smile cross your face. So, one of your rivals hadn’t been bedridden by your scheme. Perhaps he was very resilient… or maybe he hadn’t eaten with the others? It doesn’t matter anymore as you are about to leave this world.
“Well,” you scoffed, “I don’t have all day: hurry up and finish me off.”
He nods, then, as was the custom, gives you his name:
“I am Bärb of Deepgold, Knight of the King.”
You reply with your own name, using the established formula, and close your eyes, awaiting the fatal blow.
…
It takes a while to arrive, and you open your eyes again. A torn piece of fabric from a tunic, large enough to serve as a scarf, covers the lower half of your face. Your opponent has likely taken from his own clothing to compensate for your split mask (replace the mask with Scarf [Treasure] but consider it to have the same properties). Also consider that you regain 3 Endurance points.
Note the code F3, increase the Time by 1, and go to the Memorized number.