SIXTEEN: FIGHTING WORDS
Everyone rushed to catch Artemis, but by the time they got to him he was already face down in the dirt. His breathing came in sharp bursts.
“Arti!” Arcana yelled, shoving a patrol guard out of the way. He stooped and supported Artemis’ shoulders and head. There was gore everywhere. It was spattered over Artemis’ face and arms and had soaked into his clothes. His hair was slick with scarlet.
“Arti! What’s happened? Who did this to you?” cried Arcana.
Primus stooped next to him and checked his pulse, searching for the source of all of the blood. He frowned.
“Arcana, this isn’t his blood,” he said. “The boy’s in shock. He’s had a bad scare.”
Another elder joined them with a jug of water and some smelling salts. He held the salts under Artemis’ nose and he came ar
