Then another. And another.
The sound was too sharp, too violent. It took Hairan a heartbeat too long to understand what was happening before the dreadful realization set in. Arrows.
They were striking the body of the carriage.
They were under attack.
The carriage jolted violently, swaying as the driver shouted something unintelligible and urged the horses forward. Panic dawned on Elka's face, her eyes widening as fear finally broke through her carefully maintained composure.
Hairan reacted instantly. He dropped low to the carriage floor, pressing himself against the wood as another arrow thudded into the side panel with a splintering crack. The carriage didn't slow—if anything, it surged forward, careening down the road as the driver desperately tried to outrun the ambush.
"Get down here, damn it," Hairan hissed sharply.
Elka hadn't moved. She remained seated, frozen in place, her body rigid as terror rooted her to the spot.
