In the past, the Amber River once separated the Hurders from the Paratu People, separated the plow from the whip, the bow from the sword.
But now, it stands as a formidable barrier on the way home for the soldiers of the New Army.
Jade Crossing is both a highway over this barrier and a bottleneck.
Because it connects the main road between Maplestone City and Kingsfort, making it the most convenient place to cross the river.
But at the moment, it is in the hands of the enemy.
A group of New Army officers had to leave their horses outside the forest and traverse on foot through the woods to get close enough to scout this small port town.
Viewed from outside the city, the gates of Jade Crossing were tightly shut, heavily guarded, with houses near the walls mostly demolished or burned down — a typical procedure, showing nothing special.
The city walls were still old-fashioned, merely enclosing the docks, church, and wealthy houses, lacking outposts or polygonal forts.
