Dan was fighting bravely, but he was slowly wearing out. His larger adversary took advantage of this and drove Dan back to the edge of the cliff. Dan glanced around and saw Emily. She was standng against a wall. Her foe raised his sword and brought it down at her. Then his view was blocked and he heard her cry out. The sound rang through his mind. His shoulders slumped and his head bowed.

"Go ahead and kill me," he said, "I don't care anymore."

His foe swung out and landed a blow to Dan's forehead. The blade cut deep and knocked Dan over the edge of the cliff, sending him spining down to the rocks below, where a few saw him land on his back, a crumpled form, apparently lifeless.

In the silence that followed, a man was heard to say, "Nobody could survive a fall like that!"

The remaining army was either slain or taken prisoner to be executed later. Except for two. Emily had escaped right after Dan's view had been blocked, the sword catching her shoulder. She had not been witness to Dan's demise. The other was a young messenger who had evaded those who had been rounding up the remnants of their army. He had been one of the few standing near the cliffs edge and had seen Dan land. In time, the two would meet, for Dame Fortune is of a fickle mind.