Jolan Kine hurried, not caring whose saddle he took. If this theft were the least of his sins, he knew judgment day would go in his favor. As he worked the girth’s straps and checked to be sure he had tightened it enough, his mind worked furiously over the conversation with Dosir, who had all but admitted he was in league with the sorcerer, which meant that if he didn’t leave immediately, his life was in grave danger.
No sooner did that thought pass through his mind than a searing pain lanced through the back of his hip. An agonized cry escaped his lips, and his left leg buckled. He went down. His entire leg felt as if it had suddenly been set ablaze.
Jolan crawled beneath his horse, trying to put a barrier between himself and his attacker, who must have been hiding in the rafters. If the assassin reloaded before he found cover, there was nothing he could do.
Suddenly, from the direction of the attack, Kine heard a loud grunt and then the pronounced thud of someone tumbling to the ground. A loud curse and the sounds of fighting followed. Kine continued to drag himself forward. When the fighting stopped, it was followed by the sound of fleeing footsteps.
Jolan prepared himself as someone approached. A firm grip closed around his arm. “Let me help you,” Joachim said gruffly.
“Good thing you stuck around for me,” Jolan said between gritted teeth.
Joachim grunted in agreement. “Solum bean poison,” he said, holding the thick shaft of a short crossbow bolt.
“How much time?” Jolan grimaced.
“The arrow went straight through. You probably didn’t get a full dose,” Joachim’s voice was matter of fact as always.
“Is that your professional opinion?”
“I’ve been wrong before,” Joachim said flatly.
“That makes me feel better.”
“Those boys are in trouble,” Joachim said as he tried helping Jolan to his feet.
Through waves of pain, Jolan agreed. “This goes all the way to Pallodine.”
“No wonder Jort kept quiet about what he was onto,” Joachim said. “Curse the man and his secrets.” As he tried to hold Kine steady, he added, “Your plan to use those boys better have worked.”
Kine felt light headed. “They do have talent for trouble.”
Joachim was worried. “If we move against Kreeth, will it buy them some time?”
The world around Jolan began to spin and tilt. “It will certainly give Kreeth’s allies something to chew on,” he heard himself respond.
“Let’s get you on this horse,” Joachim said, moving his increasingly limp body toward the mount.
Jolan’s vision began to tighten and constrict. “Don’t think I can hold on,” he mumbled.
“If you fall off, I’ll drag you,” was the last thing he heard Joachim say.