Instead I said, runnin’ by, “Tis at least a different joke.”
The magnesium flaresburst overhead in the same blinding bloom.
Aenghus fought the same two men.
Charlie’s drone dipped the same way.
And there it was:the crossbowman, nocking the same bolt that had already pierced me twice in dreams I wasna supposed tae remember.How many times?
I twisted left insteadof right.
The bolt meant tae plant in my shoulder tore across the skin instead.
Hot, wet, familiar.
I growled and kept moving.
Ryan’s voicein my ear, “I can’t get the shot!”
Max tookthe bolt embedded in his side under his arm, deep in.
Same stagger.
Same blood on the same stones.
My heart dipped, we werna winnin’, twas the same, over and over.
Rannald laughedfrom the same step, inside the tunnel, the shadows spilling out a different direction. He was flanked by guards, his black cloak swirling in smoke, the edge of it flicked in a breeze.
My eyes caught it, briefly, then focused.
I sprinted.
Across the yard, up the steps, I held m’claymore high.
I reached them faster this time.
My claymore rang against Rannald’s guard; then Ryan’s sniper round punched through Rannald’s thigh.
He yelled in pain.
Then Rannald fell.
His soldiers closed around him and dragged him away through the tunnel to the sally port while I hesitated —what ought I tae do— die tryin’ tae end him, or help m’laird tae live?
The verra same indecision.
Max dropped tae one knee, coughin’the same red froth.
“Retreat!”I roared. Nae one argued.
My mind turnin’ over the events, I lifted Max m’self, slingin’ his arm over m’good shoulder, I carried him through the gate while the world burned behind us.
Outside the wallsI laid him down in a patch of heather.
Charlie’s arm bled from a similar wound. He was bein’ carried, the pallor on his face gave me pause. He was closer tae death.
We had made it worse.
