Seven Stones: Part Sixty-Nine
Previously on Seven Stones: Anessa still feels her injuries, but convinces the others she is well enough to continue. The sixth Stone disgorges into a spoil heap, riddled with fresh bones. As Anessa leads the way out, a robed man approaches from a nearby palisade, wheeling another cart of waste. Despite their attempts to hide, he spots the group and flees. Anessa finds a rise large enough to conceal Falcon. Before they can settle in, horns sound.
Anessa eased her head over the top of the ridge, teeth gritted against the twinge in her shoulder. The breeze nipped at her face as she looked across the bowl. Moments later, a gate swung open and five riders emerged from the palisade at a walk, sun glinting on their spears and helmets. Four of them carried a large sack, while the fifth held a brass shield. She ran her eyes over the ground to either side of the ridge, before turning to the others. “Five riders. Moving slowly, so don’t think anyone saw us come here.”
“They will if they keep coming this way, though.” Kobb glanced up the next rise. “Can we make it to the tree line?”
“Not on foot. Riding, yes — not without being seen, though.”
“What about sneaking off before they arrive?”
