Yun Ming had halted the Raid group two-thirds of the way down the ridge when it became clear that the breach had fallen. Now the Raid group turned and rode silently back up the road.
Wuyi was waiting at the gate. "Right," he said to Yun Ming. "Good call."
Yun Ming dismounted, gave his reins to a farmer – the attendants were all in armor – and started to turn away. "The Lower Town is lost," he said.
"No," Wuyi said. "Not yet."
Over their heads, the ballista lashed out again.
"You are risking everything on the hope that we will be saved. By the king." Yun Ming was obviously restraining himself. The words were very carefully enunciated.
Wuyi put a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, besides, the Lotus Blossom Sect should not watch the pavilion get destroyed. And you might not know this, but the king has arrived near Xiang Stronghold," he said.
"Heavens be with us," Yun Ming sighed.
✶ ✶ ✶
