Yan reached the east bank with Rell and Miu. Narrow Bridge lay ahead, its stone spans crowded with families, clinic crates, and wounded soldiers moving in uneven groups. A line of carts crept toward the western road while the rear guard held the eastern stones.
Han Yue stood at the bridge entrance, directing a driver to turn his cart without blocking the stretcher path. She saw Yan and pointed toward the dry ravine beside the lower road.
“Movement there,” she called. “Outside the pattern we planned.”
Yan went to her rather than stopping for a greeting. “How many?”
“Two groups are in sight. I can’t see what remains behind the ridge.” She handed him the end of a rope so he could help a driver pull a wheel out of the mud. “The front carts are going west. I need the eastern stones held until the last group clears.”
“Rell, count the carts and keep them moving. Miu, find Oren and bring him here.”
The scouts split up. Yan helped roll the cart free, then went to the ravine. It was dry except for a narrow ribbon of water along the bottom. The sides were steep and cut by old erosion. Someone could move through it without appearing on the road until they reached the bridge approach.
