Clash
Iron 3 + Action 4 = 7
Challenge 10 & 3 = Weak Hit
Inflict harm & Pay the Price = Endure Harm, -2 Health

Though caught by surprise, I was fast enough with my sword to inflict a bit of damage as her talons raked across my arm.

Clash
Iron 3 + Action 4 = 7
Challenge 6 & 6 = Extra Strong Hit
Take initiative & inflict harm +1

Whipping my sword around, I was able to parry the next attack and get in an additional swipe.

Strike
Iron 3 + Action 4 = 7
Challenge 7 & 10 = Miss
Lose initiative & Pay the Price 18 = Your action has an unintended effect

When I raised my sword and chopped down next, the witch seemed to anticipate this and somehow deflected the bow with some form of supernatural strength and agility.

My sword actually clattered to the ground and my eyes bulged in shock!

Clash
Iron 3 + Action5 = 8
Challenge 8 & 2 = Weak Hit
Inflict harm & Pay the Price = Lose Initiative

Despite losing my sword, I managed to strike the witch with my fit, forcing her to stumble backwards, and me to nearly collapse while I tried to catch my breath.

But then she turned her attention to Keo and, sensing our bond, swiped at him with her claws.

Companion Endure Harm
Horse Health 5 + Action 3 = 8
Challenge 3 & 3 = Extra Strong Hit
No damage taken

Keo managed to dodge the attack while I grabbed my sword, climbed to my feet, and lined up an attack of my own.

Clash
Iron 3 + Action 1 = 4
Challenge 1 & 5 = Weak Hit
Inflict harm & Pay the Price = A companion is put in harm’s way

Another slash across her bloodied torso took her down to her knees.

Meanwhile, Keo was still close enough that she could have taken a parting swipe if she wanted to.

It was time to end this fight once and for all.

End the Fight
Progress 9 vs Challenge 8 & 9 = Weak Hit
The witch is killed & Endure Stress

Endure Stress
Heart 2 + Action 3 = 5
Challenge 2 & 7 = Weak Hit
-2 Spirit

As she made to lunge at us, I brought the tip of my sword up at the last minute.

The steel plunged into her chest and she froze, eyes wide and a trickle of blood sliding from the corner of her mouth.

Without a word, I pressed my boot to her shoulder and dislodged my weapon.

As she crumpled to the ground, a pitiful groan escaped her lips, and her skin turned further ashen.

Another loud CRACK was heard as the form of a small boy appeared by the sea’s edge: the Overseer’s son.

I cleaned off my sword using the surrounding snow combined with the witch’s robes, then put it away, and approached the sobbing child.

The three of us began the slow journey back to Longstead.