Page 41 of The King's Sword
“Duck,” Evander said.
As Sabine squatted, she felt something move above her head. The man in front of her flew to the ground, a dagger protruding from this chest. The sheer quickness, brutality, and precision Evander killed with sent a wave of unease through her. Not having time to think too much about it, she dropped the basket and stood, holding the knife out before her. If anyone came too close, she would defend herself. Twisting to face the other end of the alley, she spotted a man rushing toward them.
The attacker lifted his arm and threw a knife aimed right for her.
Evander shoved Sabine against the wall. The knife flew by, only inches from her chest.
As the man neared, he withdrew another weapon, throwing it at Evander. Evander deflected it, then threw his dagger at their attacker. The man dodged it, producing another knife and tossing it at Evander. Evander twisted, and hurled a knife at the man who managed to move out of the way just in time.
The man stopped about five feet away, a smile on his face. “I have one weapon left. Do you?”
Evander’s hands were empty. “I thought you were supposed to take her to Ex alive, not kill her yourself.”
The man shrugged. “As long as I take her body to Ex so he can see she’s dead, that’s all that matters.” He lifted his arm, about to throw his last weapon right at Sabine’s chest.
Evander stepped in front of her, blocking her from the assassin.
Sabine couldn’t let him die on her account. His life was no less important than hers. Besides, both her brother, Rolf, and her guard, Markis, had taught her how to throw a knife and since she had one in hand, she would use it. Readjusting her grip on the weapon, she leaned to the side, aimed, and Evander shifted just as she threw it, knocking her to the ground. Something metal clanked against the wall above her. Evander kicked his leg out, tripping the assassin. Then he lunged to the side, picked up a dagger lying on the ground, and plunged it into the man’s chest.
Sabine shoved the hair from her face, trying to get a better look. The assassin laid in a pool of blood, lifeless. Evander’s chest heaved up and down as he sat there, looking winded.
“What’s the matter?” Sabine asked, coming to his side, immediately knowing something was wrong.
He reached down, pulling his shirt up and revealing a slash on the side of his torso.
Horror filled her. “How did that happen?” she asked, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I thought you were handing me the weapon, not throwing it.” He examined his wound.
“I did that?” Her hands started shaking. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s just a nick,” he gritted out. He tore off a piece from her cloak, balling it up and shoving it against his side to stop the bleeding. “It’s not that deep.”
“Let’s get you back to the inn,” she said as she wrapped an arm around him, helping him to his feet. She couldn’t believe she’d injured him by accident. “I’m so sorry,” she said again as they rounded the corner, joining the throng of people on the walkway. Blood began seeping through the cloth and onto Evander’s fingers. It had to be worse than he was letting on.
“Turn here,” he said, nodding his chin.
When they reached the inn, she opened the door, letting him lean on her as they went inside.
Evander went to the desk, reached over and grabbed a quill and paper. He scribbled a few things down. Tearing the paper in half, he gave one to the woman working there and then shoved the other in his pocket.
“Your face is looking rather white,” Sabine said. If it truly was a slight nick, he shouldn’t be losing so much blood or have such pasty skin.
“Let’s go to our room,” he said, looking at her pointedly.
She nodded and wrapped her arm around him, helping him up the stairs. In their room, he sat on the edge of the bed. Sabine removed his shoes then lifted his legs onto the mattress. “What can I do to help?”
He handed her the paper he’d written on. “I made a list of what I need. You will take it to the apothecary’s where he will give you everything. When you get back here, I’ll need you to help close my wound.” He reached in his pocket, pulling out several coins and handing them to her. “I’m losing a lot of blood, so I need you to hurry.”
“Where’s the apothecary?” she asked, trying to remember if she’d seen one around.
“Exit the inn. Turn right. Go two blocks, then turn left. It’ll be another block down on the left. Look for a circle with a flame around it.”
She clutched the paper, nodding.
“Sabine,” he said, regaining her attention. “Put this on.” He removed his bracelet and handed it to her. “Keep your hood up and don’t talk to anyone other than the apothecary. Show him that bracelet. After he reveals a red mark on his inner right wrist, give him the list.”
“Okay.” She repeated everything he’d said in her mind, trying to commit it to memory. After the bracelet was hooked on her wrist, she folded the paper and left the room, running down the stairs and out of the inn.
