They left the valley before sunset.
No one argued.
Rowan led them toward an old watchtower overlooking the northern road.
It had been abandoned for years.
The walls were cracked.
The wooden doors had rotted away.
But it offered shelter.
More importantly, it offered a view.
Captain Darius stationed two soldiers outside.
"Nobody wanders."
Ellis nodded.
"I wasn't planning to."
Garron looked at him.
"You were absolutely planning to."
"I was considering it."
Veyra ignored them.
She stood beside Uriel on the tower's upper level.
"You heard it."
"Yes."
"It called you Keeper."
Uriel looked toward the distant forest.
"I don't know what that means."
"You've heard the word before."
He looked at her.
"Have I?"
She hesitated.
"Not from you."
Maera joined them.
"I've found references to Keepers in old texts."
Uriel turned.
"What kind?"
"Fragments."
"Nothing complete."
"Some describe them as guardians."
"Others call them destroyers."
Uriel frowned.
"Which one am I?"
Maera didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
A horn suddenly sounded below.
Everyone rushed toward the stairs.
One of Darius's soldiers pointed toward the road.
"Movement."
They watched.
A group of people was walking toward the tower.
Four men.
A woman.
A child.
Rowan immediately raised her hand.
"Wait."
They approached cautiously.
The woman looked exhausted.
"Please."
"We need help."
Captain Darius stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The woman looked toward the northern road.
"We were taken."
"Taken by what?"
She shook her head.
"We never saw it."
Uriel's stomach tightened.
"Where are the others?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Still there."
"Where?"
She pointed toward the mountains.
"The old quarry."
Then the child beside her whispered:
"It lives underneath."
The woman immediately covered his mouth.
Too late.
The forest seemed to listen.
Nox stirred.
Underneath.
Uriel stared toward the mountains.
The disappearances finally had a direction.
The old quarry.