The rider's horse collapsed under him the moment he reached camp, and Wei Liang caught the man before he hit the ground.
"Ambush," the rider gasped. "Su Wan's supply group. Hit an hour ago, north road."
"Casualties," Wei Dong said, already moving toward the horses.
"Don't know," the rider managed. "I ran the second it started."
They rode hard, the newly widened group moving together now with practiced speed, former enemies and old allies alike pushing horses fast through the morning light. Wei Liang felt Xu's presence steady in his chest, calm despite the urgency.
"Whatever's waiting," Xu said, "we handle it the way we've handled everything lately. Careful first."
They reached the north road to find the supply wagons overturned, two guards down but breathing, and six masked attackers
