Page 38 of Keeper of the Word

There was no way to discern who was who.

The pounding on the door escalated.

How is Tolvar hereandpounding on the door?The muddled thought came.

She crawled to the side of the bed, coughing and wheezing. She could barely lift her arms.

The clamor of the fight changed—metal against metal.

It ended with a hideous sound. Flesh being torn open, followed by a groan and a body dropping to the floor.

Not a second later, someone leapt in through the window. The clash of fighting resumed. Theclinkof metal against metal might never end.

There was a pause. Then, someone was shoved against the bed; it shook above her.

“Elanna!” someone called again from the corridor.

A body was slammed into the wall. Then, the vile noise again. Flesh being punctured.

Elanna’s throat burned; she was certain she would vomit. She gagged. Stars, everything was pain.

Thewhooshof swords being sheathed startled her.

Stars.

Who had survived this fray?

The pounding on the door had halted. When she opened her eyes, Tolvar and Hux were kneeling over her.

“Lady, can you sit?” Hux’s expression was grave.

In answer, she closed her eyes again.

The door was unlocked and opened.

“Where is she? Is she hurt?” Joss asked.

“Gus, fetch the town surgeon,” Tolvar answered.

Elanna was lifted into someone’s arms and placed on the mattress. She swallowed, then shuddered. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Two lanterns were lit, and someone, mayhap Gus, spoke to the innkeep in the corridor.

A cold, damp cloth was placed on her neck. At first, she startled, her hands forming claws. She took a swipe, and Tolvar drew away his arm.

“This will help,” Tolvar said, attempting again.

The coolness of the cloth didn’t make the pain subside, but it did help.

“I made it,” Hux said through a tight smile, sitting next to her on the mattress.

She noticed his hands had taken hers. There was something wet on one of them. She struggled to lift it; it was covered in blood. Her would-be killer’s blood.

Her sobs came out in hoarse hiccups.

Another damp cloth was placed on her forehead.

“Shhh.” Hux stroked her cheek, which she was surprised to discover did not trouble her. Behind him, Tolvar stood. His exhale was deliberately quiet.

When Elanna awoke,the smell of the afternoon’s rain made her breathe in deep. The pain that shot through her made it cut short, and she sat, holding her throat and releasing a slight cough. Every bit of her neck was tender. It felt torn.