Third Person’s POV


    After two days of waiting, Abbot grew restless.


    s


    On June 21st, he said to Stewart, “We can’t just wait here uselessly. Let me take a dozen men across the grasnds and circle the mountain to see if we can find Lance. I’m worried he might’ve been injured during the rescue.”


    Stewart replied, “Don’t rush. A dozen men won’t make a difference. This vast mountain, covered in dense forests with no direct paths, makes it nearly impossible to meet up.”


    “But waiting here idly won’t help either,” Abbot argued, clearly anxious.


    “Actually, deploying so many soldiers here by themander serves no real purpose. If they’ve crossed the grasnds safely, they’re already secure. Whether we’re three thousand or a thousand, none of us can cross the grasnds and scale the mountain.”


    Stewart whispered, “He just wants to show Lycan Erasmus he’s fullymitted to the rescue. Whether our three thousand men are useful or not doesn’t matter to him.”


    Both sighed.


    They had served under exceptionalmanders and held little regard for Tad.


    Yet Lycan Erasmus had ced his trust in him.


    With no ongoing battles, their current task was to guard Frostbite Town against potential Dragon Ash retaliation.


    “Forget waiting, Stewart,” Abbot said, suggesting, apromise.


    “Let’s send ten–man groups across the grasnds. What do you think?”


    Stewart considered it. “Let’s do it. We’ll dispatch ten teams of ten men each, crossing the grasnds in batches toward ckcross Mountain. You stay and guard the post; I’ll lead the teams.”


    “No, I’ll go,” Abbot insisted, his expression solemn. “Lance didn’t say much to me, but when he mentioned rescuing Eugenius, he nced at me several times. I suspect Eugenius might be Eugene, my brother.”


    Stewart looked at him in surprise. “You think so? Don’t get your hopes up just yet.”


    During prisoner exchanges between nations, families eagerly awaited their loved ones, scrutinizing each


    returnee.


    Stewart hadn’t found Magnus, and Abbot hadn’t found Eugene.


    They celebrated with everyone for the returning soldiers.


    As Alpha Bentley Legion officers, they embraced every returnee, offering encouragement and sharing in their joy, drinking beer together.


    But when alone, their tears betrayed their disap–pointment. That night, neither slept


    Stewart dared not hope again after such letdowns.


    Though Magnus wasn’t of the Wall family, their bond, forged in battle with Alpha Bentley, was deeper than blood.


    Ultimately, they decided to go together. The main force stayed put, while one hundred men crossed the grasnds in shifts.


    As expected, the staggered crossing drew no attention from the grasnd sentries.


    They ascended Horace Hill and waited at its peak. From this vantage point, they could monitor any


    movement.


    They dared not descend carelessly, as Horace Hill was jointly controlled by the Dragon Ash Werewolf Kingdom and the grasnd wolves. Missteps could spark conflict.


    Lance and his group had reached the foot of Horace Hill. Beyond ity the grasnds.


    Only ten of them entered the grasnds, avoiding detection by the nomadic tribes. Victor wouldn’t <b>risk </b>pursuit here.


    But the relentless escape had taken its toll. While Lance held on, others were exhausted, their legs trembling.


    Some were injured during the rescue.


    Eugene walked at first, then needed support, and finally had to be carried.


    Lance, though unharmed, was fatigued from fending off guards at the outpost.


    Everyone except Klein was exhausted.


    They had to rest briefly before Horace Hill.


    But after a fifteen–minute break, Klein abruptly stood, listened intently, then announced, “They’reing. We must climb the hill now.”


    Marsh was the most concerning. His breaths were shallow, wounds either inmed or slightly healed, relying solely on Digby’s medicine.


    Lance gently pped his face. “We’re moving again. I’ll carry you. Hold on–your mate in the capital awaits you.”


    At the mention of “mate,” Marsh’s eyes fluttered open. Weakly, he looked at Lance. “I’m… ab “I’ll carry you. Let’s go,” Lance said, hoisting him onto his back.


    Marsh’s tears fell on Lance’s shoulders, his voice barely audible. “If… you have to leave me…”


    He was drowsy but aware of the danger.


    He wouldn’t rest easy if his downfall dragged everyone else down.


    ‘n…


    JOI


    Lance responded firmly, “Not a single one of us will be left behind!”


    Turning to the others, who were supporting each other, he said, “This is thest mountain. Once over it, the grasnds and Frostbite Town are within reach. Don’t you all want to return to our homnd? To see our reimed Southern Border?”


    Tears welled in their eyes as they chorused, “We dream of it every day.”


    “We’re almost home,” Lance encouraged. “Let’s go.”