Kingdom of Ash

before the Gap. The Avery forked at their
backs, effectively hemming them in. Much of
it had been frozen, but not nearly thick enough
to risk crossing on foot. Should this battle go
poorly, there would be nowhere to run.
Nesryn nudged Salkhi, coming around the
Northern Fang from the southern side. Far
below, the whirling snows cleared enough to
reveal what seemed to be a back gate into the
mountain. No sign of sentries or any wyverns.
Perhaps the weather had driven them all
inside.
She glanced southward, into the Fangs. But
there was no sign of the second half of their
army, marching north through the peaks
themselves to come at the Gap from the
western entrance. A far more treacherous
journey than the one they’d made.
But if they timed it right, if they drew out
the host in the Gap onto the plain just before