Three.
The thin and narrow object protruded from his fist.
"Hold still," he hissed.
"Let go," I snapped as I struggled.
He jabbed down. I gave a yelp more from surprise than pain. I tried to twist out and pry off his hand, but still could not get free.
"I said hold still," he ordered.
"Who would?" I demanded.
I kicked at him with my heel. I was rewarded with a solid blow and an exclaim of surprise, but he held on. He let go of my arm during and caught my foot during the next kick. He grabbed a fist full of my night dress with his other hand and roughly tossed me on my face. He jumped on the small of my back, crushing the wind from me.
"Now hold still," he said through gritted teeth.
His hand reached for my left arm again. I thrashed to try to get him off. He must have stabbed down as I tried to twist to face him. Both Quintus and I froze as I looked at the piece of metal embedded in my arm. It looked like a large a nail. It took a moment for the pain to register. He looked as surprised as I was. He did not resist as I pushed him off.
"Ow, ow! What was that for?" I shouted.
"I only meant to stick you a little," Quintus protested.
"A little? iI's stuck in my arm!"
"What's going on?" Primus demanded sleepily.
Tertius was quickest to my side. He studied my arm with wide eyes for a moment.
"I'll be right back," he said.
True to his word, he was back by my side holding a cloth.
"Clench your teeth," he advised.
He gripped my arm in one hand and pulled out the weapon. He held a wadded cloth over the wound. It darkened with my blood. It was his shirt. He stroked my hair, while telling me that it would be all right.
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