Once the blade pierced the vein at his neck the end would come quickly.

Taramis cried out as if a blade had pierced her heart.

The blade had pierced something vital, but there was nothing to do about it.

The blade pierced the grizzly's throat, and killed him in the instant.

The long blade pierced its ribs and buried itself in the monster's heart.

Or did he study the landmarks, to choose the most efficient point at which his blade should pierce her skin?

The blade pierced one guard's shoulder, emerging below his kidney.

The blade pierced the scales of any dragon that I met like so much cloth.

But it has been shown over and over that no point or blade can pierce my skin.

The blade pierced the right side of her chest.