Then a new voice, urgency carefully controlled: "Group three. Targets are moving toward the central dock platform. They're spreading out—looks like they're setting up crossfire positions."
"Let them finish," Elara said. "I want them fully positioned before we move."
Thirty seconds passed. Felt like thirty minutes.
"They're in position, Your Highness. All six have clear sight lines to the meeting point. Waiting for their target to arrive."
Elara let another ten seconds pass. Make sure they were settled, confident, ready.
Then she spoke clearly into the crystal: "All groups. Execute."
What happened next came through in fragments over the crystal:
"Group one engaging—rooftop team moving—"
The sound of feet hitting wood, fast and hard.
"Targets spotted us—they're turning—crossbow discharge—"
A meaty thunk. Someone gasping.
"One down! Group two, cut them off!"
More running. The clang of steel on steel. A scream—short, cut off abruptly.
