"Bang!" the first shot hit stone and kicked up dust.
"Down!" I dove, palms scraping loose gravel. A man screamed behind me. Metal barked again.
"Where's the prisoner?" a voice demanded.
"Gagged and tied to a tree. We'll leave her there to pick bones," another laughed.
"Not this one," I snarled through grit. "Not today."
"You talk too much for someone who can't walk," the leader said. He circled, boot heels crunching close enough for me to smell his sweat.
"I walk when I want," I spat. My hand found empty space in my belt. No rounds left. Fingers checked patterns out of habit. Dry. Counted ammo in my head, then stopped. Counting was useless if the gun was empty.
"Hold her," the leader ordered. Two went for me. They were eager and stupid. I twisted, shoulder by shoulder. One booted my ribs; pain flared. Teeth found fabric. My jaw snapped at the gag. I bit, tasted cloth and blood.
"Shut her mouth," the leader ordered. A gag forced my jaw closed. Rope bit into my wrists. They used strong knots. They were thorough.
"She'll feast the vultures," a man said.
"Good. More coin for us," another added.
"I won't give you the satisfaction," I mouthed. The gag stretched my words into a raw sound. I spat red on the dirt.
The leader leaned down, face so close his breath blew dust on my cheek. "Who are you, soldier? Lost your unit?"
"I died on
