Kai, mounted on Valira, led the formation.
"There," Lint pointed from his wagon, his voice cracking from the dust. "The walls of Akhan. If we're lucky, we can restock our supplies."
Akhan was not a massive city, but a mid sized fortified town, a strategic commercial hub connecting the routes toward the Kingdom of Terminus. However, as they drew closer, Kai noticed something unusual, there was no movement in the fields. The outer granaries were empty and, most concerning of all, the great oak gates were tightly shut.
"Thorne, Allice, to the front with me," Kai ordered, urging Valira forward. "Mira, stay with Roshia and cover the rear of the caravan. Don't lower your guard."
When they were fifty meters from the gate, a sharp whistle cut through the air. An arrow thudded into the dirt right in front of Valira's hooves.
