Hajin resumed the broadcast before twenty-eight horses entered the river channel beneath the deserted watchpost.
The eastern bypass curved behind their posts to the western bank while eight scouts stayed along the ridge above them. Juna crouched beside Hajin with three Wings folded, counting every hoof until the last striker's horse passed the upper turn.
"Twenty-six," she breathed, ears flat against her skull, "twenty-seven..."
"Don't you dare jump early."
"I wasn't going to," she hissed, tail lashing once against the rock.
Captain Varn pointed his broadsword toward the abandoned barricade while his men crowded into the channel.
"Empty posts," he shouted, holding his mount ahead of the next pair, "they ran as soon as our scouts touched the ridge!"
His lieutenant lifted a torch above the saddle where its flame could reach the riders behind him.
"Twenty crowns for every militia ear!"
"Start with the wounded who couldn't follow them into the caves!"
