Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Chapter 41: Onward Through Uncertainty_2

As the convoy pushed on, the sun climbed high above the lush greenery, casting long shadows by mid-afternoon. The clock read 3 p.m. They were hours away from the central province’s border.

Tommy leaned back with a slight yawn but kept his gaze sharp. “We’ve been moving for nine or ten hours straight. No signs of pursuit or ambushes not a whisper, do you think Rienfeld’s just letting us walk out?”

Aiden, who had closed his eyes in a light meditative state, responded without opening them. “No, but they won’t attack until we cross the border.”

Tommy frowned as he shifted forward from his seat. “Why wait? If they wanted to make a point then border’s the perfect spot.”

Aiden slowly opened his eyes, calm as the eye of a storm. “Think about it we are already on full alert braced for a fight for them to hit us at the border but if they’re clever, they’ll wait until we’ve crossed into unguarded territory. When we’re tired or when our destination is finally in sight… That’s when most people let their guard down.”

Tommy processed Aiden’s words while his fingers tapping the table thoughtfully. “So… two places then either when we stop to rest for the night or when we’re almost at the Icelorn Basin as both times we’ll be most vulnerable.”

Aiden nodded. “Exactly.” He leaned forward and unfolded the map on the table between them. “But for now, we need to be smart. We’ve been driving non-stop. Everyone’s mentally and physically drained—even if they’re not showing it.”

Tommy’s brows furrowed as he considered the truth behind the statement. “Yeah… dealing with all those mutated beasts along the way hasn’t exactly been a picnic either.”

Aiden’s expression softened. “Tell everyone to take turns resting and shift rotations as we can’t have everyone exhausted when it matters most.”

Tommy nodded while grabbing the comms. “Alright, but don’t blame me if I take a quick nap too.”

Aiden chuckled lightly as Tommy’s voice echoed through the convoy: “Listen up, folks, we’re about to do shift rotations so anyone not on duty, take the charge and others rest well as no one’s winning a fight half-asleep.”

The message was met with relieved murmurs as soldiers shifted in their seats and some relaxing for the first time since they’d left.

Meanwhile, Deep in the Wasteland

A convoy of its own—though far darker in nature—cut through the road to the direction of Icelorn Basin. Grant’s platoon of 3,000 soldiers moved in slowly in silence, divided into smaller strike teams. Their vehicles were painted in camouflaged tones, giving the feeling of military coming to help but not.

In one of the lead vehicles, Grant sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed in a mockery of serenity. The man beside him, Rourke, shifted uneasily, breaking the silence. “Grant… are you sure this is a good idea? Moving so far from the central border?”

Grant’s eyes snapped open, sharp as a blade. His irritation flared, but he kept his voice measured. “Yes. I am sure.”

Rourke frowned but pressed on. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll be too far to get reinforcements.”

Grant’s jaw clenched, but he forced a smirk. “We don’t need reinforcements. We’re not here to survive—we’re here to crush them. If we attack them as soon as they leave the border, they’ll be expecting it. They’ll be at full strength. And trust me, I’ve seen what Aiden’s team is capable of. They’ll make us bleed before we can even touch them.”

Rourke nodded slowly but still seemed unconvinced. “And your plan?”

Grant leaned in, his voice dark with satisfaction. “We let them get comfortable. Let them think they’ve made it. We wait until they’re close to their destination, tired and complacent. That’s when we hit them—when they’re distracted trying to protect their families and supplies.”

Rourke’s face tightened. “You really think that’ll work? They’re not fools.”

Grant’s smirk widened into a sinister grin. “I don’t need them to be fools, Rourke. I just need them to be human.”

Rourke let out a slow breath. “And you’re sure they’re heading to Icelorn Basin?”

Grant leaned back, his confidence unwavering. “I have… sources.”

Rourke raised an eyebrow. “Bribed soldiers who stayed behind?”

Grant’s grin sharpened. “Vice-Chancellor Henry’s money opens many mouths. Some of Aiden’s so-called comrades were all too happy to talk when the price was right.”

Rourke chuckled, though there was a coldness to it. “So all we have to do is get the right spot and strike.”

Grant’s gaze darkened. “Exactly. Five hundred kilometers out, we’ll set the trap. They’ll think they’re safe. By the time they realize they’re not… it’ll be too late.”

Rourke crossed his arms, still wary but willing to follow Grant’s lead. “Just make sure you don’t get too cocky. If things go south, I won’t be dragging your sorry hide back to the Vice-Chancellor.”

Grant’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Don’t worry, Rourke. By the time I’m done with Aiden… there won’t be anything left of him to drag back.”

While in the town in Icelorn Basin

The late afternoon sun bathed the streets in a warm, golden hue as Bella led her team back into town. Dust and the faint smell of gunpowder clung to their clothes as they moved with the satisfaction of a successful mission—but Bella’s sharp eyes still burned with unspent rage after hearing about the whole Cole’s incident.

After returning from the recon mission, Bella had wasted no time in diving into the task Amira had assigned—sweeping the town clean of any remaining thugs.

Thanks to the locals and the coerced awakened individuals who had been freed from Cole’s grip, she’d gathered a list of their hideouts. And with angry filled her mind, Bella divided her team and unleashed them like a storm.

They’d hit hideout after hideout, cornering the remnants of Cole’s operation like rats. After knowing their main and the last hideout her squad charged in and rounded up the last group of thugs by the time Bella arrived.

The air was thick with the stench of sweat and fear while her squad is in process bindings the thugs as they lined them over wall, some groaning from the beatings they’d already endured.