The blood in her veins was no longer liquid, but ice. Sastra was on her feet, running through the doors before she could think about it. In the second barn, a lantern had been lit but it had fallen over. Oil spilled across the uneven flagstone floor flickering in the naked orange flame. Edging closer to the litter of hay and barn debris that had been collected by the wooden door. She could see the bodies of two men, crumpled beneath what looked like a hayloft, half hidden behind a ladder.
On the other side of the entrance, was Jason. Even in the dim light she could see that his features were grey. His face focused with pain as he maintained his stance, sword balanced in his hand. He stood sidelong to a tall thin man who had his back to her. A longer weapon in his hand. At first she thou
