Location:Off-World — Beastkin World (Sacred Grove)
Date/Time:Mid Emberwane, 9939 AZI (Day 2)
Realm:Nexus Mission
They moved at dawn.
Not toward the settlement — around it. The ridge path ran parallel to the river valley, offering concealment while they skirted the population centre. Below them, the Beastkin were already working — the increased harvest quota visible in the number of bodies bent over the eastern fields. The fox-eared woman with the broken wrist was among them. Her right hand doing the work of two.
Eden watched from the ridge. Said nothing.
They moved southeast. Toward the sacred grove.
***
The forest changed.
Not gradually — the way a room changed when you crossed from one kind of architecture into another. The air thickened with something between humidity and essence, pressing against Jayde's senses.
Through the bond, Isha stirred. [Close. Damaged. Dim. But alive.]
Reiko stopped walking. His entire body went rigid. Fur standing along his spine.
