Chapter 486 - Dance of The Decoys (End)

Josephine's cavalry thundered past that same moment, hooves drumming a cadence that set tent ropes thrumming. She rode at their head, hips loose, one hand up in a swirling gesture almost decorative—except every swirl spaced her riders exactly where drifting dust would billow most. She wanted plumes that could be seen from the fort's watch-towers, plumes that shouted a thousand men idle here. A junior knight reined close, concern furrowing his brow. "Ma'am, the horses are winded." Josephine flashed him a grin bright enough to shame sunrise. "Then let them breathe fire instead of steam—scatter more sand, make the dust do the galloping." She wheeled away, her laughter trailing like a red ribbon on the wind.