Two miles south of the crater, the column finally halted beneath a tall bluff that overlooked a narrow, wind-scoured defile. Thirty knights dropped their shields into its shade while drivers checked strained harnesses and swore at every buckle gone stiff.
Hajin watched the last wagon roll in and pumped a fist when its repaired wheel stopped dragging through the sand.
'Ha, that wheel survived my repair job, so I am officially a genius carpenter now.'
Horses lowered their heads as sand hissed past the shelter's mouth, stinging every ankle left exposed.
Two quartermasters pried open the provision crates beside their water keg, and the first biscuit cracked under a soldier's thumb.
"Two biscuits and half a cup," one quartermaster barked, slapping the measure beside a canteen, "take your share, move clear, and leave room for the next file."
"Food," Loccy breathed, ears springing straight up.
"Prison food," Juna corrected.
