Four winged survivors dragged their battered frames over the broken ridge, clutching injured comrades against their chests with desperate strength.
Juna kept her claws lowered, her three wings remaining flared to shield the retreating volunteers from falling rock and stray shrapnel.
She angled her stance with deliberate care, ensuring every climbing survivor passed directly within Vella's field of vision and protective aura.
"Bring the stretchers past the ridge boulder!" Hajin directed, holding his chain taut across the yawning ravine to deter pursuers.
"The clinic tents are two hundred paces down the western slope, behind the palisade!"
"We have two spearmen with broken ribs and puncture wounds!" a survivor gasped, leaning heavily against a jagged rock spur for support.
"Take them straight to the triage blankets near the second ditch," Hajin replied with calm, reassuring authority.
"The reserve healers have fresh water and clean linen waiting to dress their wounds."
