46

Your revolver roars three times, and the three sentries fall lifeless to the floor. But the gunshots boom loudly off the rock walls, filling the cavern with sound. Forms begin to stir all around you, some sluggish, some quick. The more alert among them are already reaching for their pistols.

"Run!" yells Zhu, drawing his own pistol. "We have to escape! We will be overwhelmed!"

He is right. More and more guards are rising to their feet and staring at you in shock. It will be mere seconds before they shake their sleep off completely and go on the attack, and there are just too many of them to beat.

You dash for the exit tunnel, a few paces behind Zhu. Three bullets slam into your backpack, but your supplies absorbs the damage. Then you are out, blinking, into a moonlit world of white and purple, the howling blizzard once more tearing at your clothes and face.

"Keep going!" yells Zhu. "I'll cover the rear!"

He fires three shots at your pursuers as they emerge from the cave. You struggle on into the wind. Then the white blanket of the blizzard closes behind you both, swallowing up any signs of pursuit.

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