The red flash at the barrier widened into a second breach north of the evacuation road.
Han’s scouts reached the gate at a run. “Smoked-glass beasts on the ridge. A Registry unit is behind them, moving down the north road.”
The first wagons were already on the upper track. Han looked at the map, then at the broken ward lights. There was no way to send the whole escort to one place without leaving the other exposed.
“Two riders warn the rear wagons and take them onto the quarry track,” she ordered. “I’ll hold the bridge approach with the forward squad. The rest stay with the convoy. Keep a reserve at the crossing.”
The split was immediate. Pell sent the riders ahead while the station soldiers formed around the wagons. Yan took the forward position with Han, his hammer in hand. Qinghe was already turning the cart line away from the main road.
One of the riders turned his horse before leaving. “If the last carts haven’t passed the fork?”
“Warn them there. Don’t bring them back through the breach,” Han said. “Keep moving until Bai confirms the line is clear.”
The rider nodded and lowered himself close to the horse’s neck as he took the upper road. Han sent a second scout to the bridge with Pell. She had no spare soldiers to waste on a messenger who could be lost in the noise. Every part of the escort had a task before the first arrow flew.
