Two days later, Wei’s advance scouts reached the river city before dawn. They found Registry troops around the landward gates and a siege camp set along the outer road.
Yan studied the city from the low ridge with Wei. The walls rose above the river, with a line of boats tied along the near bank. A ram rested beside a stack of iron bolts. Two towers were still on their transport frames. The river current was strong enough to make a crossing difficult, but the city’s east gate opened onto a narrow road where families could reach the bank.
“They can close the land gates and hold the river,” Wei said. “The engines are for forcing the east wall.”
“Or for keeping people from using it.” Yan pointed toward the clinic’s outer ward. White Orchard had stored medicine there under agreement with the city council. “We have reason to protect the store, but they have not joined us.”
“The watch captain has asked us not to approach the gate until she sees a route.”
The captain, Mara Venn, met them beneath the east wall. Two wardens stood beside her, one carrying a map board and the other a blue flag. She did not invite the soldiers inside.
