The warrior could still see the cold plateau behind him; the way that this place altered perspective was unnerving. He was sure he could make out the figure of a woman seat herself at the table with Death. He hoped she faired better than he, and then he thought that maybe she might do worse and he did not think that would bother him too much. This notion disturbed him more than any thing, had the power of the Crown become that alluring? Was the death of a rival to be preferred, rather than make good on his promise, was he also aware that she may truly be tempted to take the Crown from him?

He was suddenly accosted by a raging creature of hair and teeth! It growled and lunged at them, it gave him the impression that is was both man and beast. Its growls and barks were like a hunting wolf; it grabbed and raked with clawed hands like a mad man!

A werewolf! He had heard legends of such creatures and knew he would have to deal with them before he could reach the Valley of Fire. The thing was immense and powerful. In strength it out classed him, but not by much.

As he swung his sword it grabbed his wrist and tried to throw him, the thing fought with skill as well as might! The warrior was well tempered and he rolled with the throw that would have torn his arm loose. A nimble roll gave the warrior his advantage and he began his onslaught. The werewolf tried to parry and dodge to get inside the warrior’s attack but to no avail. The tide had turned and the beast was on his heels, and then its knees, then it died, an axe cleaving its skull.

He looked to the horizon and the dice table of Death but could not see the Prophetess. Was she dead or had she won her game, and if she had won how much had it cost her?

He looked ahead to the infernal glow of the Valley of Fire, a figure was there and it was holding what could only be a Talisman above its head! It had come from the other side of the Valley; obviously this one had taken another route. Had he miscalculated? Was the Ghoul equipped with another Talisman and, thus, able to circumvent both he and the Prophetess to now step forth and claim the Crown? He and the Maiden charged ahead.