Chapter Five: The Fourth Army at Frostbridge

Sif withdrew first. She served Ysolde and knew the princess hated uncontrolled wars. Rowan drew his sword. “The Red Legion obeys only true royal blood.” The two unregistered ranks turned their spears toward Lain. Their armor was new, but white dust from the old mine coated their boots. They were not Cassian’s men. They merely wore red. “Serena, light it.” She shot a fire arrow. Joy flashed across Rowan’s face. If the bridge exploded, Lain would carry the blame. The arrow cleared the parapet and dropped into the abandoned mine entrance. Blue-white fire raced through the mountain. Buried charges erupted early, collapsing tunnels and throwing hundreds of gray-cloaked soldiers into daylight. Their silver funeral emblems glittered.