Outsider in the End: Troubles Grow

For a moment Dana was paralyzed, not truly understanding what had just happened. It seemed impossible for a man to whole one moment and then dying without warning the next. Then she recovered her senses enough to duck behind the raised seat of the driver, putting the hard wood between her and any more arrows.

Mjer Madhin's wheezed and coughed wetly. He didn't sound good but at least he was still alive. Her relief was short lived as the pony shrieked in pain and took off at a run as more impacts thudded against the cart. One of the steel arrow heads broke through the wood just under her palm. She touched the tip in morbid fascination. It was as slim as her finger and yet so deadly.

Gaining speed on the uneven road made each jarring bump worse than the last. Going over a rock that felt like a drop off a mountain rattled Dana's teeth and caused Mjer Madhin to groan.

She'd have to slow the pony down. If she didn't they were going to crash or tip over, and then they'd really be at the mercy of their attackers.