Rhydian;
The forest breaks open ahead of us, and the first thing I see is a structure—a half-collapsed stone structure, choked with blackened vines.
"That's them," Calisí says, not slowing her pace even slightly.
"You're certain," I ask, though I already know the answer. I've watched her track that pull across three leagues of forest without faltering once, her whole body bent toward it like a sail that refuses to point anywhere else.
She ignores me, though, and I frown.
Avaren moves beside her, robes catching against low branches, and his blindfolded face tilted toward the structure like he's reading something in the air none of the rest of us can sense. "The wards around this place are old. Older than anything I've encountered in years."
"I can sense it too," Calisi answers, and my frown deepens.
"Is that meant to scare me?" I rage, and Avaren's unbothered voice comes next.
"No. It's meant to prepare you." He says, and I swallow.
