SAGE (under edit)

Chapter Forty One - Shadows & Doubt

There were only two ways to enter the southern regions; either by boat, which civilians favoured, or by the impressive bridges that were often obscured by fog and, at intervals, patrolled by Soldiers. The bridges didn't enter WhiteSnow Valley or Stone Flats directly, instead the two bridges were bookended by small towns that maintained the bridges and operated the boats. Given the season and time of day, the Bridge to Stone was only visible so far until the fog engulfed it. The sound of the waves lapping at the surrounding docks was background noise to the town itself, which was small in comparison to the other towns that the regions protected.

The towns and bridges were protected by WhiteSnow Valley, given WhiteSnow Valley were the ones to construct them decades ago, which meant people who travelled them had to pay tolls. Soldiers, if under the authority of a Renark, were exempt.

Since the Shadow Soldiers had no such authority, getting across the Bridge to Stone wasn't going to be easy. Normally they travelled by boat, but doing so would take too long. There was every chance RedEarth had placed spies around the bridges, but Raidan wasn't concerned about being discovered. Bryce knew the Shadow Soldiers were coming - he'd made no attempts to cover their tracks after leaving Lion Crest - and Raidan knew it was all just a part of Bryce's game. He was drawing the Shadow Soldiers into his own territory, to where he had the advantage, and whilst logic and reason told Raidan this not for a moment had he considered another option.

Dante was pacing, and Nox was growing more irritated which each turn Dante made. Raidan regarded them both for only a moment before he turned back to the narrow mouth of the alley they had paused in, while Toren scouted the entrance the bridge in the hope that one of his contacts – a Snow Soldier playing both sides – was on duty.

'What's taking him so long?!' Dante said in a harsh whisper, mindful of people nearby. They were toward the outskirts of the town, between low stone buildings that all looked relatively identical, but there were people behind the shuttered windows that sat above Dante's head where he paced.

Despite Nox's agitation, he didn't respond. His jaw was tightly clenched shut, and Raidan suspected his agitation was more to do with Sage's situation than Dante's impatient pacing. Barely a word had been spoken between the Shadow Soldiers after they left Lion Crest, save to briefly make a plan or discuss possible obstacles that might impede their journey into Stone Flats. No one had suggested they stop and give themselves time to formulate a proper strategy, because not once had it crossed any of their minds – even Toren, the most rational of them all.

Because of this, they had barely stopped to rest before arriving at the town of Southern Reach. Considering the energy and Kyra they had expended while defending Lion Crest, Raidan knew he wasn't the only one succumbing to fatigue.

Adrenaline could only last so long, after all.

Raidan felt the announcing flare of Toren's Kyra signature and turned back around, spying the assassin as he made his way toward the alley.

Dante rushed to greet him just as Nox rose stiffly from where he had sat on the ground, his expression hard, and then moved toward the end of the alley to keep out of sight.

'Did you find your contact?' Dante asked.

Toren shook his head. 'Unfortunately, no. However, I did find someone else that may be of use.' He looked back over his shoulder, and then released another flare of his Kyra.

Not a moment later, a familiar red-headed Crest Soldier walked into the alley.

'Leon,' said Raidan, not hiding his surprise.

Leon grinned, albeit wearily. 'I was almost convinced we didn't make it here in time.'

'We?' Nox grunted.