Chapter Five: The Fourth Army at Frostbridge

There were not three thousand Red Dragon soldiers at White Ridge. There were five thousand. Red armor sealed the southern valley when Lain reached Frostbridge. Seven ice-blue banners stood beyond its northern end, every Frost crossbow drawn. A hundred paces of stone and a corpse-swallowing chasm separated the armies. Cassian’s token commanded only three thousand men. The other two thousand existed on no public roll. “Your Highness.” Deputy Commander Rowan greeted him while watching the Frost inspector behind him. “We were ordered to intercept northern rebels.” “By whom?” “Crown Prince Cassian.” 【The target’s statement contains a lie.】 Lain looked across the bridge. Sif, Ysolde’s general, rode out.