Juna found the next pack moving through ridge grass above the field lane while the village families passed beneath them.
Twelve hounds spread across the slope without charging, following blood from Vella's carts instead of the louder militia checkpoint.
Two more scents remained behind the ridge, where Dreth's observers watched the evacuation road from outside bow range.
Juna could reach the men before their horses turned, though doing that left the carts below without warning.
She dropped into the field lane beside Elise, landing ahead of the frame carrying Garret.
"Pack above us," Juna said, pointing toward the ridge without looking away, "keep the carts together and stop anyone running into the grass."
Elise raised a light marker over the lane, showing the drivers where the irrigation cut narrowed ahead.
"I can take the observers," she said, keeping her sword near her side, "they will keep recording if nobody pushes them off the ridge."
