“You can’t be serious.” The older Hollow-born scoffed. “You’re too important to go outside the wall alone.”
“He’s right, Commander. Let me handle it,” Arthur agreed.
Fenn’s gaze hardened. “Every one of us is too important to just throw away. I’m the most likely to get in and out unnoticed.”
“Commander...” Henry began.
“End of discussion,” Fenn cut him off, raising a hand to silence any further argument.
“Sir...” Calli’s voice wavered as she pressed her fingers to her temple, closing her eyes in concentration.
“But—” The old man grunted,unwilling to let it go.
“Sir!” Calli’s voice shot through the tent, as the Source swirled around her, her hand slamming down on the map.
“What’s wrong?” Rynna rushed forward, catching Calli just as her body dipped, her legs buckling.
The girl’s eyes snapped open, the churning fog within them a sign of the farseeing technique she shared with the other seers. The energy pulsed through her, a web of Source power linking her mind to the distant figures on the battlefield.
“There!” she gasped, pointing to a spot on the map.
“Skarn?” Arthur leaned in, his nose practically touching the map as he studied where her hand rested.
“No.” Calli steadied herself. “Maybe. It’s hard to tell.”
Henry rolled his eyes, muttering, “Far-seers.”
“But,” Calli interrupted, her hand moving south on the map. “There’s a large group of civilians hiding here.” She followed the path further south. “And a horde of the dead here. They’ll reach the civilians by nightfall.”
Henry crossed his arms, skeptical. “And you just ‘saw’ this, just like that?”
“I’m linked with the other far-seers in the camp.” Calli waved her hands as she tried to explain. “It’s like...being on a constant patrol. We bolster each other’s abilities to keep it going, and the visions get shared between us instantly.”
“Your father invented the technique, right?” Fenn asked.
“Yes, Commander.” Calli’s chest puffed slightly, her back straightening.
Fenn gave a brief nod, then turned his attention back to the map. “Here?” He paused, thinking. “The dead move faster than we do. They’ll reach the civilians before nightfall. We need to leave immediately.” He looked up at Arthur and Henry. “Volunteers only. Find me ten willing in the next twenty minutes. I’ll lead them.”
“Commander—” Arthur began, but Fenn cut him off.
“Not including the two of you.” Fenn shook his head firmly. “If I fall, you need to lead the retreat back to Pulse Reach.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened as he glanced at Henry, who gave a slow, resigned nod. “Yes, Commander.” They bowed in unison and exited the tent.
Fenn turned back to the map, his finger tracing the best route. He spoke softly, calculating their chances.
“Obviously, I’m coming with you.” Rynna’s voice cut through the silence. She crossed her arms and planted her feet.
“Rynna,” Fenn looked up. “I don’t have time to argue with you.”
“Exactly,” she began, stepping forward, but Calli’s voice cut her off.
“There’s one more thing.” The girl wrung her hands.
Rynna shifted her focus from Fenn to Calli, frowning. “What’s up?”
“It’s not just Skarn out there.”
