But he wasn't fast enough.
The arrow spanned the distance in a heartbeat, driving itself into the flesh of his neck. He gave a gurgled cry as his knees buckled, but the impact caused him to change direction. He crashed into Sen, whose back hit the door-frame with an audible crack. He slid to the ground, stunned, the downed soldier next to him.
“Sen!” she cried, rushing to his side.
He groggily lifted his head, a wan smile curling his lips upward. “I'm all right,” he panted. “Just had the wind knocked out of me.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, glancing at the fallen soldier, who now lay unmoving. “Thanks for the save.”
She cupped his cheek, looking at the doorway to the hidden staircase. “Wait here. I'll be right back.”
He nodded, pulling the strap of his quiver over his head and handing
