They left at dawn.
A small group—Kaelen, Seri, a dozen of the best warriors, and Ash circling overhead. Their mission: draw Thorne's forces away from Hometree, lead them into the mountains, buy time for the clans to prepare.
It worked. At first.
Thorne took the bait. Satellites spotted the small group moving through the forest, and he committed forces to pursue. Drop-ships filled the sky. Ground troops spread through the jungle. The trap was closing.
But Thorne wasn't stupid.
Halfway to the mountains, Kaelen realized the truth. The forces pursuing them were too small. Too slow. A diversion.
"What is it?" Seri asked, seeing his face.
"He's not following us. Not really." Kaelen's mind raced. "He's sending just enough troops to keep us moving. To keep us occupied. The main force—"
"Is heading for Hometree." Seri's face went pale. "We have to go back."
"We can't. We're too far. By the time we—"
A scream from above. Ash, diving toward them, her cry urgent and terrified.
And then the ground shook.
In the distance, toward Hometree, a column of smoke rose against the sky. Then another. Another.
"They've started," Kaelen whispered. "God help us, they've started."