The circle closed around them like a noose.
Elven torches emerged from the darkness on all sides. The muddy ravine that had seemed like cover now trapped them.
"Surrender," Captain Morvain's voice called through the rain. "You're surrounded."
Huangyan counted the torch positions. Thirty elves. Maybe more hidden in the darkness. Sergeant Zhang gripped his sword tighter, but his expression showed he understood the hopelessness of their situation.
The wounded prisoners huddled together in the center of the ravine. Lianna struggled to her feet, mud coating her torn dress. Morris and Willem supported each other with grim determination. The Yanyu officers prepared to fight despite their injuries.
"We can take some of them," Zhang said quietly.
"Not enough," Huangyan replied. "Will end up dying trying to do that."
An arrow whistled past her ear. Then another. The elves were firing warning shots. Close enough to demonstrate their accuracy without hitting their targets.
