Gunfire: The Turn

There was shouting behind us, and the sound of hooves on cobbles.

Ryle held a hand to the window. Two fingers. Pause. Five fingers. Five fingers.

Two horsemen. Kill them. Ten seconds to shot window.

I knelt down in the coach, loading the rifle with two quick motions.

Ryle took the coach in a wide left turn, presenting the side - and my field of view - towards the two galloping horse riders.

The gun came up, sights settled on the chest of the first man.

Exhale.

Boom.

Twist, bolt pull, stop. Cartridge push, bolt push, twist.

I slid the sights left, watching the edge of the next building approaching fast.

The second rider looked left at the falling body of the first.

Exhale.

Boom.

I inhaled again, working the bolt and inserting the next bullet. Outside, a large sign indicated that we were five docks from the Silver Skies.