The central ward arch stood over the approach like a red gate. The stones at its base had cracked from the creatures’ blows, but the light still ran along the carved marks. A tall beast came down the slope toward it, arms raised to strike.
Yan moved before it could swing.
He hit the beast across the ribs. The hammer glanced off the shell with a hard, ringing blow. A bright mark spread across the glass, then faded. The beast turned toward him, its shoulders broad enough to hide the ward arch behind it.
Yan struck again. The hammer skated across its back.
“Leg!” someone shouted.
A coil of chain rolled across the gravel and stopped beside the spear team. Bai Jiu had brought a supply cart to the rear line. He was out of breath from pushing it uphill, his sleeves dusty, and one wheel had begun to wobble.
“Try the knee!” he called. “The shell’s thick up top!”
Han’s soldiers seized the chain. Two hooked it around the creature’s leg while another braced against a stone. The first pull barely moved the beast. Bai came alongside the rear soldier and helped him shift his grip.
