Cold mountain winds blew through the red-rock canyons of Sawaka as Zaira reached the high western ridge.
Below them stretched the vast Western Gorges, a maze of steep cliffs and deep cracks in the earth. Thick, dark smoke rose from several openings, staining the sky above the mountains.
Glacial Lanka had not attacked the western mountain passes directly. Instead, they had sent huge mechanical drills to dig tunnels beneath the mountain defenses. Their goal was to bypass the surface guards and attack the West from below.
Kun Nakia waited on a high rock ledge. Her twin curved blades were strapped across her back, and white dust covered her leather battle armor.
"You made good time, Supreme Chief," Nakia said with a sharp smile as Sagiri stepped down from Zaira's head.
Sagiri looked across the gorge, his crimson left eye and silver right eye scanning the dark openings below.
"What is the situation?" he asked.
