"We might as well march right in," he declared. "They're out of business, or they've gone—one or the other."
"To the Dark City they have gone, I think," Anina said.
"I think so, too," Mercer agreed.
"I'll go in alone on foot," I said, "and find out what has happened."
But Miela shook her head.
"One who can fly will go more safely. I shall go."
"Not you, my sister," Anina said quietly. "Warfare is not for you—now. That you can understand, can you not? I shall go."
Mercer insisted on accompanying her; and he did, part of the way, waiting while she flew close over the city. It was several hours before they returned, reporting that the place was almost in ruins, and that Tao and his men had fled some time before, leaving the light‑barrage to burn itself out. The next day, with our men in the black cloth suits of armor marching up the valley, and the girls with their black shields flying overhead, we took possession of all that remained of the Lone City.