Back in the chamber, the Prodson troops weren't too pressed for urgency. They continued carving a new tunnel but didn't want to waste too much essence before clashing with the Forell forces on the other side.
"... Message… Evac… Message… From Commander… Evac …"
A distant shout echoed out of the back tunnel, surprising the three hundred soldiers still waiting in the underground chamber.
Both low-perennials left in charge were in the front tunnel, stalling the ice to keep the tunnel-digging team safe. So the peak-elder captains in the chamber were left to handle such business.
"Message… Message from Commander Ephar!"
When the yelling messenger was heard loud and clear, also somewhat visible inside the back tunnel, the lone, early-perennial captain shouted back, "What's the order?"
"Evacuate!"
Every Prodson troop fell into a momentary stupor, incredulous to hear such an order.