Luck in the Shadows

or your friend," the greying man replied, taking a step up the pile. "But there are those who don't like having their business nosed into. Now be a good lad and I'll make a quick job of it. You'll be dead before you know it."
    "I don't want to be dead!" Alec rose and threw a rock at the men with his left hand. They ducked it easily and Alec backed away as if to bolt.
    "Get the other one, Trake," the grey man ordered, pointing to Seregil who still lay as if dying.
    "I'll take the whelp here."
    Alec moved back a few steps, then froze like a frightened hare. Waiting until his assailant was within sword's reach, he grabbed up the blade and struck at him.
    At the critical instant, the loose skree underfoot spoiled his lunge for a killing thrust, but he still managed to hit the fellow hard enough across the ribs to knock him off balance. Scrambling awkwardly, he tried to strike at Alec, but instead fell and tumbled heavily almost to the cliff's edge.
    Just then a strangled cry rang out behind Alec, but he didn't dare look back. His opponent had already regained his footing and was starting back up after him.
    "Full of tricks, are you?" he glowered. "I'll tie you with your own guts, boy, and ram that—" Alec was overmatched and he knew it. Hardly pausing to think, he snatched up another fist-sized stone and threw it. It struck the assassin in the forehead. Stunned, the man pitched backward and slid down to the cliff's edge again. He might have stopped there if his fall hadn't dislodged more rocks.
    With a grinding rumble, an entire section of the pile gave way just below where Alec stood, sweeping the swordsman over the edge.
    Flailing desperately, Alec came down hard on his back and slid feet first toward death. Too terrified to cry out, he stared helplessly up at the fiery sky, knowing it was the last thing he'd ever see.
    Suddenly a strong hand grasped his left shoulder.
    Clutching at it, Alec slid a few yards farther before coming to a stop with his feet jutting out into empty air. Scarcely daring to breathe, he looked up and saw Seregil stretched spread-eagle on his belly above him, face white with dust or fear.
    Don't move!
    Seregil mouthed. Then, in the faintest whisper, "Roll sideways, toward the horses.
    We're only a few feet from level ground.
    Mind your sword. Try not to lose it if you can help it."
    Loose stone shifted treacherously beneath them as they clung together and slowly rolled toward the narrow strip of bare roadway cleared by the last slide. They reached it just as another layer of the pile let go.
    Hauling each other to their feet, they scrambled forward to safety as another great jumble of stone careened off over the cliff, carrying with it the body of the other assassin, whom Seregil had taken by surprise at the beginning of the attack.
    Still clutching each other by the arm, they turned to watch the last stones plummet over the edge.
    "I don't know how many times a day I can stand to watch you almost die," Seregil gasped.
    "Twice is my limit," croaked Alec, sinking to his knees. As he glanced back at what had nearly been the scene of his death, however, he caught the glint of metal near the top of the remaining rubble.
    "Seregil, look there. Do you see it?"
    "Well, I'll be damned." Seregil limped back to the rocks and gently worked his battered sword free. The hilt was scarred and missing a quillon, but the scabbard had protected the blade from serious damage.
    " Aura elthл !" he cried, not bothering to conceal his relief. "My grandfather gave me this sword when I was younger than you. That last slide must have uncovered it. Two fresh horses and now this! It seems our two recently departed visitors did us almost as much good as harm."

37 Backtracking
    Seregil led the way as they rode into the yard at Watermead early the next morning. Micum was there among his hounds. "Back already?" the big man said, looking up. His grin faded, however, as he got a closer look at them. "What the hell happened to you two?"
    "We attracted some attention up in Cirna," answered Seregil, dismounting stiffly and limping inside.
    "We got ambushed on the way back," Alec explained. "I think they were assassins."
    "You think?"
    Seregil raised a wry eyebrow. "We didn't have much time for conversation, but I suspect he's right. Chances are I've been watched ever since Thero came out of the Tower with my body."
    "I thought I heard familiar voices!" called Kari, looking noticeably wan as she came out of her chamber into the