Page 116 of Swordheart
“You’re all over blood,” said Zale. “Did you know that?”
“No.” He considered this. “Well, it’s not the first ti—”
Halla got the cords untied and slapped the sword back in the scabbard, and the blue fire took Sarkis away.
“Was that wise?” asked Zale. Blue light skittered over their clothes, removing the bloodstain as well.
“He had an arrow in him!”
“Yes, but he was also the only one who knew how to fight. Also the only one who’s immortal.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“We would really appreciate it if you stood and delivered now!” called the highwayman. “We are extremely sorry to bother a Rat priest, you understand, but if you don’t put your hands inthe air and come out from behind the wagon, things are going to go very badly.”
Zale put their hands in the air. So did Halla. So did Brindle.
The highwaymen came out of the trees. There were about a half dozen of them, armed with bows. One no longer had a bow and didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. The side of his face was already swelling up.
“Where’s the other one?” said the apparent leader.
“You shot him,” said Halla. “He ran away.”
“Didn’t see him leave,” said the man who had been in the roadway.
The leader looked at Halla. Halla shrugged as best she could with her arms already in the air. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“Your holiness,” said the leader, nodding to Zale. “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience.”
Zale shrugged. “People make mistakes,” they said. “If you release us, I will see no need to report this to my Temple.”
The leader sighed. He was an older man with grizzled blonde hair and beer-colored eyes. “I am afraid that it is your companion that I am after.”
It took Halla a moment to realize that the man was talking about her and not Brindle. “What?Me?Why?”
He turned his head and shouted, “Mina!”
Another figure detached from the trees and stalked into the roadway.
“Oh gods,” said Halla involuntarily. “You again!”
“That’s her,” said Mina to the leader of the highwaymen. The woman’s eyes were as cold as frost on a windowpane. “That’s the one who makes people invisible.”
CHAPTER 38
“Wait,what?”
Halla stared at Mina. So did Zale.
“Invisible,” said Mina. “That’s how you did it. You’re a wonderworker, don’t try to deny it! You made your guard invisible so he could attack Brett without being seen. You’re probably making him invisible again right now!”
“You think he wasinvisible?” said Halla.
“This is fascinating,” murmured Zale.
The leader was starting to look uncomfortable.
“How else do you explain him coming outta nowhere like that?” snapped Mina, advancing on Halla. “He just appeared, all fiery!”
