Marrick's courier disappeared along the western road while the remaining militia carried Elise plus Sable toward town.
Hajin stayed beside the empty ravine, helping Jonas recover Ferra's barrier plates from Cassie's broken banks.
The first guild horses arrived after the bodies reached the irrigation cut, pulling a survey wagon behind Yenna's party.
Mila sat beside the driver with Marrick's sealed packet open across her notebook, proving the courier had reached them first.
Yenna left the wagon before it stopped, followed by two senior party members plus three guild personnel carrying Gate instruments.
Orin, her pathfinder, brought six survey rods toward the ravine while Mara inspected the retreat road before approaching Hajin.
Neither senior adventurer asked about the missing portal until the junior guild clerk reached its recorded position.
He placed a blue instrument above the bare ground, then checked Marrick's map when every needle remained still.
