Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 660
The lightning-flashes from the hillside had ceased. "Starting
from--"
It was the monster's turn to scream, as Galas twisted the
hairpin she had thrust into its ear. It let go of her arm, and she
ran into the dust and confusion of the vale.
Blue and white light light and roaring thunder surrounded
her.
Megan's horse screamed and staggered. She rocked in
the saddle, falling forward across the beast's neck. Hanging on
to its mane for dear life, she looked down. A crossbow bolt
stuck out of the poor thing's flank, just above its front
haunches.
Too soon! She had to get a little farther, to give her love
time to escape. She withdrew one foot from its stirrup and
leaned down to try to grab the bolt.
Pain exploded in her side driving all the breath from her.
She grabbed at the reins and missed, then she was tumbling
headfirst off the horse, straight at a big rock.
Armiger, my love, I--
Rocks tumbled around the white Wind. She staggered
from agony in her head and along her side where one of
was gone, and her basts were falling back, yelping in
confusion. The little vale was full of smoke but she could see
at least four bast bodies on the ground, and one horse with its
throat torn out.
"Where is the other horse?" she shrieked at a bast who
came within grabbing distance.
"They took it," it shouted. "Rode. East, they went out
the east exit!"