COLLIN BLACK’S POV
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“Alpha Jason…” Collin clasped the other Alpha’s forearm and felt the weight of iron under leather. “Is everything ready?”
Jason nodded once. Both of them were already in armor, layered mail under hardened plates, travel cloaks pinned back, blades oiled. The courtyard behind the keep was stacked with movement, two lines of Crimson Howlers on one flank, two of Nightfall on the other, each column one hundred strong, handpicked. No banners. No drums. Just men and women with knives strapped to calves and short bows slung tight.
Beta William stood behind Collin, his helmet tucked under his arm, face set. Across from him, Beta Joma reviewed a slate of names with the Howlers‘ captains. Packs rarely mixed, but tonight the formation blended by purpose, fast movers up front, archers staggered, shield carriers spaced to cover a retreat if needed.
“Yes. We move now,” Jason said. “We cut their tails before they reach the cut between the cliffs.”
Collin gave William a look and got a short nod in return. The Nightfall scouts trotted ahead to link with Crimson Howlers‘ pathfinders.
They’d ridden the ridgelines all morning, marking a route that stayed off the main track Cassian’s column would use. These were hunter trails, narrow and root–choked, but they kept them out of sight and scent as long as the wind held.
“Orders are the same,” Collin said to his captains. “No howls. No signal horns unless you’re dying. If you must call, use the thrice–tap on steel. We hit the rear ranks first, then the supply mules and litters. Take officers when you see them. If they try to form, we break off, circle, and strike again. We’re not here to trade bodies; we’re here to bleed them.”
William moved down the Nightfall line, checking straps and greaves, tugging on bowstrings, forcing one recruit to swap a cracked buckler. Joma did the same on his side, handing out resin to dull metal sheen and small clay jars of pitch for the torch teams. Two squads carried grapnels and lines, if Cassian’s men tried to climb the cliff faces to gain height, they’d be yanked down fast.
“They won’t be expecting us from behind,” Jason said as they walked to the gate. “His people are watching the Demon Fangs on the border. You kept this… discreet?”
“My guards think we’re reinforcing the southern posts,” Collin answered. “Only William’s handpicked know our real target. The rest were told to hold the line against the Fangs.”
The gate winched up. Cold air pushed through. They stepped out to the game trail that cut
11:15 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 49
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