The constant rhythm of the march had managed to calm Kharzan's nerves slightly. His forces advanced without problem even while being so close to the inner city. Perhaps his paranoia had been unfounded after all.
The mathematical certainty of his situation was reassuring. He was in the center of 12,000 soldiers, now that he had absorbed additional forces from his frontier positions, represented overwhelming power by any conventional measure. No individual, no matter how skilled, could stand against such numbers.
"My Lord," a messenger landed beside him. "Increased activity at the abyss frontier wall."
Kharzan frowned but didn't alarm himself. Activity was expected… Yano would naturally be mobilizing whatever forces they could gather.
"What type of activity?"
"Troop movements, my Lord. They appear to be reorganizing, but entering and exiting from within the wall makes it difficult to determine their exact numbers."
