Below the central viaduct arch, dust rose in pale clouds as an elite choral assault detachment marched down the ravine.
A teamster urged the final civilian wagon through the gorge while the choral soldiers advanced toward the space it crossed a breath earlier.
A wind whipped through the rocky corridor, carrying the distant rumble of siege engines from the far side of the valley.
At the head of the enemy column marched a towering divine legate clad in silver plate, his broadsword crackling with royal compulsion.
Behind him marched twenty armored soldiers bearing choral pennants, their steps stamping in rigid unison against the stones.
Didi stood upon the packed trail fifty yards ahead of the retreating refugees, her rapier held loose at her right side.
Six sapphire Shards hovered in a gentle crescent behind her shoulders, their crystalline light cutting through the rising dust.
