Eccar remained in the shadows of the twisted tree while the night slowly deepened around the canyon.
Hours passed.
The torches along the stone platforms flickered steadily in the darkness, casting long wavering shadows along the canyon walls.
The guards never abandoned their vigilance. Every few hours, small groups rotated positions.
Some stepped away from the watch posts while others replaced them, ensuring that the canyon remained constantly monitored.
Not a single moment passed without someone watching.
Eccar observed the pattern in silence.
"This is annoying," he thought.
He needed to get inside the canyon and inspect the real site hidden within, but barging in and defeating the guards would only create unnecessary problems. If a fight broke out here, the people behind this place would immediately increase their defenses across the other sites as well.
That would only make the larger mission harder.
Eccar sighed slowly and rubbed the back of his neck.
