From The Ligan of the Disomus, Chapter 7 – “Walking Over Open Water,” Part III – The Last Stand of the Other Reider.
CONTEXT: The Observer has one of the Reiders captive in his prison coach, and is transporting him through the backwoods of the Wobanack — along the Geisting Road from the port city of Lemaigne to The Fortress — so that he can be interrogated by the leadership of the Security Corps.
_
The rain finally stopped on the morning of the third day. It stopped so suddenly that the horses pranced to a halt. As I dared to lift my soaked head again to look for a break in the charcoal clouds, there was a flash in the woods off to my right, and I felt a sting against my chin like a hornet.
Then the loud crack of a pistol.
I dove across the seat and fell over the edge of the coach into the mud below. The horses were shuffling and stamping their feet nervously. Scrambling behind the front wheel, I realized I had left the rifle in the seat. Damn! Leaning against the wheel I touched my chin. A little blood, burning like hell, but much better than what was probably intended.
I got to my knees, stepped up into a crouch and peered over the driver’s seat. There was my rifle, leaning against the far arm of the seat. Another flash, and splinters exploded near my ear. I ducked and heard a muffled voice laughing from inside the coach.
“You’ll never reach that gun, Observer.”
Very nice.
Good imagery.