Crossing the smoldering remains of the shattered gate tower, Rus and his men entered the killing yard—the enclosed space between the inner and outer gates of the Scorpion Nest.
The ground was flat, stretching roughly thirty meters long and twenty wide. It should have been blanketed in snow, but much of it had been melted or vaporized by Nancy's earlier spell. Ashes and burning splinters littered the area, and a dust-choked road split the yard in half. At the far end, a second gate stood wide open, revealing a direct line of sight to the fortress beyond.
Vlav chuckled. "The Baron's plan worked perfectly. Looks like the place really is empty!"
But Rus didn't smile.
With the Eye of Truth active, he scanned the area, but nothing seemed amiss—visibly. And yet, unease gnawed at him.
Nancy's spell had been deafening, a roaring explosion that even the deaf would've heard. Yet now, the Scorpion Nest was eerily silent.
