While sneaking up on them, you notice that one of the men is unarmed, so you target the one carrying a sword. He hears your approach and unsheathes his weapon—but it’s too late. You’ve already driven your dagger into his side. He drops his sword and collapses onto the scorching ground, writhing in agony, your dagger lodged between his ribs. His companion, seeing this, falls into despair. As you’ve anticipated, you’ve wounded the only capable fighter of the two. The second man drops to his knees and begs for mercy—unaware that you carry no other weapon.
You seize the moment—along with the fallen man’s sword—and hold it firmly to the second man’s face.
– Who are you? – you ask.
– We’re just traders, – he pleads. -Please don’t kill us. Take everything we have—just spare our lives. Leave us two dromedaries and some water, so I can save my friend.
– I don’t want to rob you. I just needed a dromedary to save myself. My situation, to put it mildly, is dire.
– You did what you had to do, may Allah be your witness. The laws of men don’t apply in the desert, and by heavenly law, you’ve won fair and square. We are at your mercy, and all we can hope for now is the grace of your magnanimity.
– I did what I thought best under the circumstances. Whether it was chance or destiny—ask your god. I only need to know one thing: Is Theodore dead?
– Yes, he is.
– And was it worth it?
– What?
– To sell a whole nation’s hope.
– From where I stand now, no, it wasn’t. But a few minutes ago, it was. We were rich—finally free. What do you know of the shackles of endless toil? Who are you to judge us so pitilessly?
– I’m a nobody—you’re right about that. But I do have a sense of justice. And unfortunately for you, I’m the one holding the sword right now. This lawless land will deliver justice, but whether it’s by my hand or its own cruelty, I haven’t decided yet.
– Beware the man who claims for himself the divine right to judge.
– And beware the men who fall into his hands.
Your heart remains unmoved by the man’s warning, but your conscience tugs at you, guiding your next move.
***
You mount a dromedary and abandon the men to their well-deserved fate. – go to this page
***
You slay the kneeling man, then put the wounded one out of his misery. Mounting the lead dromedary, which guides three others laden with gold and silver, you let it carry you toward safety. – go to this page
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