Cold mountain air rushed past Sagiri as Zaira carried him north from Sawaka. Below them, the red cliffs of the western territory gave way to gray mountains and pine forests along the northern border. Sagiri leaned against Zaira's thick neck, his black cloak pulled tight around him.
"These days you must be tired, Zaira," Sagiri said, and Zaira hummed in response
The western route was secure. Kun Nakia's five hundred Kafika huntresses had been rescued from the underground tunnels, and the fallen rocks had sealed the gorge beneath Sawaka. Nakia was already leading her ridge-hunters toward the high passes of Whitepine Valley, as promised.
By mid-afternoon, Kovura Pass appeared through the mountain mist.
Tens of thousands of warriors filled the valley below the fortress. Forty thousand southern spearmen had pitched their tents in long rows, while twenty thousand northern warriors camped beside the wooden walls along the road.
