She stumbled again, tripping over her own feet with the force of the blow. Neeshka fell, and Ariadne tripped around her, barely realising she had connected until she regained her own footing. Her heart was in her throat. But that kill was easier on her than some of the others. She was starting to get into a place that let her separate herself from the woman who killed so easily; it was probably a problem.

Not having heard the cannon fire yet, she dropped to her knees and delivered another hasty wallop to Neeshka's head with the rock held in both hands.