Chapter 347: The Road Between
It took nearly an hour for us to approach the waypoint, finally getting close enough to make out the individual features of the guards. Several times throughout, the guards caused another commotion. Once, they sent a small group back into the canyon, and another it turned violent. The mass of refugees, of which there must have been hundreds, grew extremely nervous at that. The air filled with restless energy, and scuffles broke out in the waiting line.
As we approached the front, Orion cocked his head, listening to something only his ears could hear. After a moment he nodded, and said, looking at us, "The smuggler’s about ready to break away. What do you think?"
Korra frowned and folded her arms. "Damn, that’s quick. I’d rather rake my chances with the guards, to be honest, but I’m not sure if they’ll let Xiviyah through. They’re being ridiculously thorough, and all they’d have to do is get a look under her hood."
Orion nodded and opened his mouth to agree, when I interrupted. "That’s...not good."
They followed my pointing finger to examine the waypoint again. The low stone fort loomed over the road, armed with two magic ballistae and over twenty soldiers. They controlled all access to the cliffs and were actively searching every refugee before allowing them through.
"I don’t follow," Korra said, squinting at the fort. "What are we supposed to be looking at?"
"Oh, sorry," I muttered, my tail flicking in embarrassment. Before they could question me more, I waved my hand and soulcast Link Ability, sharing the Oracle of Eternity with her. She fell silent, taking in the world through my eyes, then suddenly gasped.
"Is that...?"
I nodded. "Yeah, they’re all cursed. It’s a crude version of the Heart Crest, and far from perfect, but every soldier I can see has it."
"In that case, we’re definitely taking the smuggler’s route," Orion said firmly. "It doesn’t matter how dangerous it is, we’ll find no allies this way. I’m certain they’ll attack us the moment we’re discovered."
Korra and Luxxa both nodded, and we moved to gather ourselves. But, before we could slip out of the train of refugees, one of the guards noticed us and shouted, "You there, stop!"