Jason hurried into the space a few seconds later supporting Ollie.
Handing off the healer’s supplies, Eva darted over to them, taking Ollie's other side.
"What're you doing out here?" she asked.
"Their building was overrun," Jason panted, catching his breath. "Ours too. This seemed like the safest place."
"I think you're right," Ollie said, noticing the warriors as they spilled in from the different side streets.
"I don't see the general, do you?" Jason asked.
"Probably taking care of the battle on a different front," Ollie said.
He resisted when Eva started to lower him to a seated position.
"We need to check on the horses and get them to safety," Ollie said stubbornly. "The warriors' focus is on beating these things back. We're the only ones who are going to care about the horses."
"You're not going anywhere," the healer called from his spot several patients over. "You're no good to anyone with your leg like that."
"Jason and I will go," Eva said when it looked like Ollie would protest. Jason looked over at her and nodded. "We'll bring them here. There's a couple of hitching posts over there."
It wasn't the best solution, but it would have to do. Better, it was in the middle of the warriors. The horses would be protected—at least as much as she could make them, considering the dire situation. Eva didn't know if they'd be any safer outside, but at least they would be able to run away. Locked in the stable their options were limited, especially with the bugs intent on spreading their seeds far and wide.
Eva stood and pointed at Ollie. "Stay here. We can handle this."
She ran before he could protest, ignoring the shouted, "Wait."
There was a pause and then Jason clamored after her.
They reached the stable and darted inside.
"You take that side," Eva ordered. She flung open two of the stalls, grateful the horses still had their halters on. Not wanting to chance them panicking and taking off, she attached two leads to them and trotted toward the post.
They resisted until they caught her scent before quieting and following her. They trusted her. Recognized her from weeks of her caring for them.
Jason was only seconds behind her. Their first group tied off, they hurried back to the stables, leading the next pair out.
Laurell intercepted them, taking the lead of one pair. "What do you think you're doing? You were supposed to stay right beside me."
"Someone has to make sure they're alright, or do you want to walk back to the Keep?" Eva knew the answer before Laurell even spoke. No one wanted to travel that distance on foot.
Laurell's eyes flashed. "You're more trouble than you're worth, Lowlander."
"So people keep telling me. Over and over again."
"Stay in the courtyard," Laurell ordered. "It's safer there. I'll take these."
Eva danced back before Laurell could grab her, pointing as she did so at where they'd been tying the rest of the horses off. "Take them over there. I'm getting the next group."
"That's the exact opposite of what I told you to do," Laurell shouted.
Eva waved one hand over her shoulder to show she understood, but she didn't pause as she jogged back to the stable. She wasn't leaving the horses in there.
She flung open another set of doors and tripped back at the sight of a horse crawling with bugs. Pained neighs greeted her.
The horse collapsed onto its side as the bugs, at least ten of them, darted along her body. Large bumps from where she'd been stung riddled her coat.
Even as Eva watched, the mare began to convulse, the poison working its way through her system, her limbs stiffening as they turned to wood and green vines ate away at her from the inside out.
