"Congratulations, General" they all echoed immediately Alaric entered the room.
"Thank you. Now, I need updates."
Marcus stated bluntly, "They'll be on us by dawn. We should expect them at first light given how quickly they've marched tonight."
Alaric's hand went flat on the map. "Why didn't we notice this sooner?"
His voice sounded clipped, not out of surprise but rather with the icy calculation that comes after a misstep.
Carlden looked him in the eye. "The regular watch was broken by the plague. Patrols dwindled, the roads became deserted, and our scouts had no one to guard because people were dying in the villages. They used the opportunity to move like ghosts."
"Their wagons were disguised as supply convoys," the Head Knight, Gideon continued.
Alaric straightened. "Then we stop them. Double the road blocks. No merchant moves without a seal. Every road must have a checkpoint."
