Seven Stones: Part Seventy-Three
Previously on Seven Stones: Kobb and the others disguise themselves as a prisoner convoy. They gain admittance to the palisade and find cages of prisoners. However, the gatekeeper realises something is wrong. Anserth kills him before he can raise the alarm, and sends some of her troops to lead the civilians to safety. A child’s scream alerts the rest of the compound. Instead of sending riders to recapture the escapees, the occupants of the palisade release a herd of giant horses.
Kobb raised his heels, then let them drop. Even galloping, he wouldn’t reach the prisoners before the horses did. Anyway, Elvar’s shouted commands had already steered most of the prisoners out from the path of the stampede, and the rest sprinted toward safety. He’d do more good at the front entrance so the occupants couldn’t use the distraction to sally out.
But, as he wheeled, the herd split in two, each half charging toward a group of fleeing civilians.
Elvar stood at bay. Snatching a long knife from his under his disguise, he jumped to the side as the first horse reached him, then leapt for its back. His blade arced down with his full weight behind it.
An instant before Elvar’s knife met flesh, the horse twisted its head to face backward. The rain hid the detail, but not Elvar’s scream as his…
