Chapter 569 Attack on Rylleh pt 4 (1/2)

Yasmine had seen the captain focused on his work. During the more intense moments of the last wave, he'd been relentless in his energy and application, but this time something was different. Gone was the calm, determined figure that she was accustomed to, replaced by a beast with so much nervous energy he almost vibrated in place. He roared and shouted through the communication arrays and at anyone who happened to cross his path. He bullied and intimidated everyone who so much as queried a word that came out of his mouth. She could have accepted that, perhaps, considering the situation they were in, especially knowing what he had told her, but the wild look in his eye coupled with the rictus grin plastered on his face unnerved her to no end. Wanting to escape, she'd offered to act as a liaison and a.s.sist the citizens falling back to the square.

There was panic in the streets by the time she arrived, the news of the gates being abandoned had spread like wildfire, causing an uproar that threatened to turn an orderly retreat into a riot. Yasmine was forced to intervene multiple times in her first few minutes outside to prevent altercations between city folks and the guards trying to protect them.

”Get to the square! Take nothing with you but what you can carry! Move with all haste! Volunteers to the armoury!”

The crush in the streets was unbearable, only her superior physical stats due to her Cla.s.s allowing her to press through the crowds. On every corner, a guardsmen or volunteer hollered out orders at the top of their lungs as teams went door to door. There wasn't enough time to ensure everyone obeyed the command, anyone who chose to stay in their homes would be abandoned. Left to fend for themselves against the ravenous ants.

She s.h.i.+vered as she considered the fate that awaited those who didn't listen. A fate she couldn't even warn them about. It was only a matter of time before the true nature of this invasion was revealed, but every second between now and then allowed them save precious lives. Yasmine had no doubt that the instant the citizens realised they were being invaded by ants, a mad panic would descend.

As she neared the market on Dionys street she found the guard out in force, funnelling people toward the square and the inner wall to be found there. She rushed forward, flas.h.i.+ng the insignia on her uniform the moment she arrived.

”Lieutenant Yasmine,” Sargent Lyssa saluted hurriedly, ”are there new orders?”

She shook her head.

”At the moment we continue to get as many people into the square as we can.”

Lyssa nodded grimly before she turned back to the hundreds of terrified people rus.h.i.+ng past.

”Does the captain really think all of these people are going to fit? The town hall doesn't have enough room for this, surely? Are they planning to activate the gates?”

”I don't know,” Yasmine said softly, ”we don't control the gates, the council does. It's possible they're reaching out for aid, or for somewhere to receive us, but we haven't heard from them.”

”Useless b.a.s.t.a.r.ds,” the Sargent spat, ”If their ancestors could see what their blood has come to.”

Yasmine swallowed her agreement. There was little point ragging on their rulers now.