Seven Stones: Part Thirty-One
Previously on Seven Stones: Trepanning the captured worker is successful, but she is too injured to be left alone so Haelen remains with her. Kobb and Anessa cross to the metal tower without being detected. As Kobb sneaks through the entrance, he is overcome by nausea and collapses.
Anessa crouched next to the door, gaze sweeping the clearing for signs of villagers acting odd. Her shoulders curled inward as warmth oozed through the back of her jacket.
A low grunt came from behind her, followed by brief clattering. Then something heavy thudded. Peering around the edge of the entrance, she saw the sole of Kobb’s right boot. After flicking her gaze across the clearing, she slid sideways, crossbow ready.
Kobb lay face down on the curved floor, Courser and rapier further along the corridor. As Anessa stepped forward, her gut twisted. A faint odour seeped over her, raising memories of Dereck threatening to throw her in a slurry pit when she was six. She swallowed hard and crouched, wobbling from the slanted footing. “Kobb? Reverend?”
He didn’t respond; but he was still breathing. She rolled him half over, then stopped as her elbow thudded on the wall. After a long moment straining her ears, she decided no one had noticed the noise and tried to turn Kobb over again.
