Seven Stones: Part Fifty-One
Previously on Seven Stones: Anessa sneaks past the creatures and into the tower. However, she discovers Karak isn’t alone; and he seems more interested in the safety of the woman with him than in mass murder. With another thing not matching Anserth’s story, Anessa decides to talk instead of attack. Unfortunately, his companion stabs Anessa as soon as she enters the room.
Anessa folded forward as the woman drew the knife back again. The pain felt like the time Dereck hit her with a rock. But this had to be worse. Anessa’s crossbow clattered to the floor as she wrapped both forearms around her gut. A person’s body tried to pretend things weren’t as bad. Her stomach didn’t feel damp, but maybe she wasn’t thinking right. The only way to be sure was look.
But that’d mean moving her arms. What if that was what held the blood in? She realised the woman hadn’t attacked again; instead she seemed to be arguing.
“…take the risk.”
“She could have killed either of us from the doorway,” said Karak. “Instead, she revealed herself. She didn’t draw her sword. Or try to dodge. We agreed we’d only hurt people if we had to.”
“But she’s one of them. Look at her armour!”
Armour. Anessa eased her left arm off her stomach. The chain panels. Despite…
