I didn’t want to become a killer today. And what would happen if those other two making their way down the road found their potential colleagues dead? Was I prepared to slaughter four people? Plus, maybe they were taking her somewhere with supplies to treat her wound? If I stopped them, it’d be a miracle if I could save her on my own.
Every second that passed with inaction was a wasted opportunity, but was I willing to risk accumulating bodies when I had no idea who else was around here, and what resources were available to help her?
My head spun. This was a massive pile of shit.
They continued down the dirt path that would eventually connect to the main road. If I didn’t act now, could I take on fouropponents? I mean, I was fast, but the more people to contend with, the higher the odds stacked against me.
For once, I didn’t know what to do, what move to make. Fear and panic cursed me with paralysis. I was on my own in unfamiliar territory. To their sadistic credit, they’d left the blade embedded in her, which bought Alba more time rather than if they’d extracted it, leaving her to bleed out within minutes.
Maybe the stabbing had been an accident? Maybe one of those people on the main road had healing abilities? The cyclone of numerous predicted outcomes continued spiraling. My only advantage was remaining undiscovered until I acquired more information.
Swift and nearly soundless, I trailed alongside them, buried deep enough in the woods that I shouldn’t draw attention, never once letting them out of my sight. From what I could discern, they weren’t saying much, only occasionally scolding Alba for her aching cries. She couldn’t even muster holding herself upright as her feet dragged along the ground.
Anyone who could be this cruel wouldn’t also hold intentions to help. The thought that I’d even considered that option and wasted precious time to rescue her made me want to hurl.
Studying my surroundings to ensure readying my weapon wouldn’t give me away, the rising tide of dissociation started sweeping in. Backed into a corner, I was out of options. My mind emptied, because thinking about what was about to happen would only give me the chance to doubt. And there was no time for doubts, only action.
Before I could correct my mistake, one of the men hauling Alba raised his arm, flagging down the set of people further up the lane.
Shit, shit, shit. Things just became twice as complicated. I was fast, sure, but fast enough to take out four potentially magically jacked wielders before they discovered my position, whichwasn’t ideal on this mostly flat terrain? I didn’t have a confident answer to that question.
Where was Braxius when I needed him?! A red distraction could come in handy right about now, but I didn’t even know if he was okay, if he was still alive…
Heat stabbed the back of my eyes, but I focused on breathing, keeping the pace even and slow. Losing my wits now wouldn’t serve anybody. I had to believe Braxius had been smart and remained hidden. Or at the very least, made a quick dash out the door. If he couldn’t find me within a reasonable amount of time, I knew he would return back to camp.
A fissure split my heart right up the middle. If that was the last time I’d ever see my little buddy, I hadn’t even said goodbye. I wanted nothing more than to return to a world where we were all safe at home, free from Taja’s tyranny.
The groups ahead converged, but I was too far to hear all of their exchange, picking up only bits and pieces as I remained motionless and helplessly alone.
“Take her back…”
“...Something to help our case.”
“We still need a catch, or we’re all done for…”
“...Gotta head back.”
Head back. Meaning further north. I could gain the advantage if I headed them off. Blood pounded in my ears, a beating war drum calling me to action. Staying low and using the trees for cover, I darted deeper into the forest. My sense of direction didn’t falter as I gained speed once I knew they were out of sight and earshot.
Each second gained was precious. I would need to find a position that gave me a clear view of the road. Timing would be critical once I release that first arrow. I couldn’t fend off that pricking sliver of guilt for hesitating this long as I dashed through the wild greenery.
My legs only gained strength as I pushed my muscles harder. Adrenaline always sharpens abilities. I barely felt the sweat dripping down my face, neck, and back as I bolted. I only had one opportunity to get this right.
The road came into view again at the same moment the edges of my vision flirted with dark spots. Dizzy, I was growing dizzy. I hadn’t had a chance to drink water since morning, before arriving at the quarry.
“Not now.” I growled to myself. Fainting could come later, after a perfectly executed ambush.
Time was running out. Too much depended on this, I couldn’t lose my last opportunity to rescue Alba. Ravinder’s voice echoed in my mind, a statement he’d once made in Radhak’s tent when discussing a raid on Windguard.
“If we can’t get high ground or decent cover, we’ll attack from the rear. Those moments they lose to orienting themselves with the threat will be short, but enough.”
I didn’t want to risk getting so far ahead that Alba ran out of time. By the grace of the gods, as if by celestial design, the road split in two directions. Perfect. The change in scenery should play to my advantage.
Silence wrapped around me as tightly as my grip on the bow. An arrow was already nocked. Three remained in the quiver, the perfect amount. I tried stretching my neck and rotating my shoulders to ease the rising tension, but nothing was going to help until this was over. The constant reminder of how this was my fault circled my thoughts like a starved vulture. Alba was going to need immediate treatment for her wound, but anyone this far north would be too dangerous to trust.
And they probably wouldn’t treat us too kindly if they found out I’d murdered four of their people.
A shiver ran over my heated skin. My shots had to be quick, ruthless, and dispassionate. It was the only option to buy usa chance. Dragging my green sleeve across my brow left it darkened and damp, and I knew it wasn’t entirely from the summer heat. The weight of today would forever change me, but I fought to suppress those thoughts.
