Halt says no place is ever really impassable will put

“Halt says no place is ever really impassable,” Will put in. “Particularly if
you don’t mind losing lives in the attempt.”
“We ran into a small party of Celts escaping to the south,” the girl said.
“They told us how the Wargals managed it. They used ropes and scaling
ladders and came down the cliffs by night, in small numbers. They found a
few narrow ledges, then used the scaling ladders to cross the Fissure.
“They picked the most remote spot they could find, so they went
undetected. During the day, those already across the Fissure hid among the
rocks and valleys until they had the entire force assembled. They wouldn’t
have needed many. King Swyddned didn’t keep a large standing army.”
Gilan made a disapproving sound and caught Will’s eye.
“He should have. The treaty obliged him to. But remember what we said
about people growing complacent? Celts would rather dig in their ground
than defend it.” He gestured for the girl to continue.
“The Wargals overran the townships and mines—the mines in particular.
For some reason, they wanted the miners alive. Anyone else, they killed—if
they didn’t get away in time.”
Gilan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Pordellath and Gwyntaleth are both
totally deserted,” he said. “Any idea where the people have gone?”
“If they’re alive, they’ve gone south,” she told him. “The Wargals seem
to be driving them that way.”
“Makes sense, I suppose,” Gilan commented. “Keeping them bottled up
in the south would prevent word getting out to Araluen.”
“That’s what the captain of our escort said,” Evanlyn agreed. “King

Swyddned and most of his surviving army retreated to the southwest coast to
form a defensive line. Any Celts who managed to get away from the Wargals
have joined him there.”
“And what about you?” Gilan wanted to know.
“We were trying to escape back to the border when we were cut off by a
war party,” she told them. “Our men held them off while my lady and I
escaped. We were almost clear, but her horse stumbled and they caught her. I
wanted to go back for her, but she screamed at me to get away. I couldn’t…I
wanted to help her but…I just…”
Tears began to cascade down her cheeks once more. She didn’t seem to
notice, making no attempt to wipe them away, just staring silently into the
fire as the horror of it all came back to her. When she spoke once more, her
voice was almost inaudible.
“I got clear and I turned back to watch. They were…they were…I could
see them…” Her voice died away. Gilan reached forward and took her hand.
“Don’t think about it,” he said gently and she looked up at him, gratitude
in her eyes. “I take it that after…that…you got away into the hills?”
She nodded several times, her thoughts still vivid with the terrible scenes
she had witnessed. Will and Horace sat in silence. Will glanced at his friend
and a look of understanding passed between them. Evanlyn had been lucky to
escape.