24
Raised Stakes
The invisible bands that had been holding Julian's body loosened, and he half rolled more fully onto his back. His arms dropped to his sides, his sword clattering against the stones at his side as his fingers relaxed. He lay there, stunned, for a few seconds, his mind willing himself to move, to see to Melanie—and Tolburt, he supposed—but he couldn't force his limbs to move.
A groan from off to his left told him that at least Tolburt was conscious. That was something, at least.
It took a supreme act of will to make his body respond to his desires, but finally Julian rolled himself onto his belly, then rose up onto his hands and knees.
Lifting his head, he finally took in the scene.
Tolburt lay on his back, one forearm thrown over his face as though to ward off a b
