assassination or bad luck?

[Tuna-Fish]

Bodyguards dont do any good, amulets of missile protection, high protection or etherealness do. When the spells get tougher, it is however a good idea to have loads of scouts accompany importnant leaders, as the target is chosen randomly.

And, as for almost everything else in dom, the best protection is to find the casting mage and teach him some basic manners.