The last defenders ran across Narrow Bridge while Yan held Jue at the eastern approach. Oren already had the command baton. His message confirmed that the west bank was clear, and the final shield pair was moving toward the mill.
Han raised the blue flag. “Last pair, go.”
The defenders obeyed. Han started after them, then saw a small figure crouched beside the east wall. Nemi was no longer beside his guide. A fallen stone had separated him from the high-trail group, and dust hid the way back.
“Nemi!” Han called.
The boy looked toward her but did not move. Jue’s second squad was coming along the lower road. Han sent a runner back for the child, then turned her damaged shield toward the approaching fighters.
Yan saw the runner break from the line. “Han, move!”
“Get him across!” she shouted.
The runner reached Nemi and pulled him behind the stone post. Han held the shield in front of them. It had already been bent by Jue’s blade, and one strap was torn, but she planted it between the child and the approaching squad.
