My left boot landed beside the sack.
The right landed too close behind it.
I bent at the knees and hit the wall with my shoulder instead of my hand. Nihil scraped stone. Pain flared beneath the support across my chest.
For a moment, the lamp seemed to move away from me.
It hadn't moved. I had arrived, and the rest of my body was still trying to understand the fact.
The grille stood between me and Nyx.
I was through.
"Latch!" she shouted.
I turned too quickly. The floor tilted, and my stomach rose into my throat.
I pressed my back to the wall. Stay upright. Find the lever.
It was a pace to my left, mounted above a broad iron socket. A small retaining catch held the handle down. Behind the grille, Nyx gave ground around the pillar. The attackers had seen me disappear, but surprise hadn't made them forget what their weapons were for.
The crossbowman raised his bow.
I moved behind the lever's stone housing before he fired.
The bolt struck the wall beyond my head.
