Chapter 45: Skybound Sacrifice
The twin suns blazed overhead as my consciousness settled into this familiar yet foreign body. This time, there was no disorientation, no moment of confusion.
I acted instantly as I remembered that there was an arrow incoming, my body twisted to the side before Maya could even reach for me.
"Has fear addled your wits, To—" Maya's words cut off as she stared at me, her hand still extended where she'd meant to pull me to safety. "How did you..."
The arrow quivered in the wooden post behind me, exactly where my head had been a moment ago. I could still feel the wind of its passage against my cheek.
"Maya," I said quietly, meeting her eyes. The memory of her disappearing beneath that avalanche of ice-covered stone was still fresh, still raw. "I'm so sorry."
"Tomas?" Her brow furrowed in concern. "Are you—"
"Raiders!" Henrik's familiar shout cut through the moment. "They're breaking through the east gate!"
I watched him stride toward us, that same determined expression on his face. In a few hours, he would charge the Skybound with an axe, dying in a futile attempt to buy others time to escape. Just like last time. Just like every time.
Maya thrust the rusty sword toward me – that same damn sword. "Here. Try not to stab yourself with it."