No one stepped onto the offered bridge.
The elite team's captain ordered the group away from the edge of the receiving platform. Dagar's soldiers formed a barrier between Merrit's technicians and the branch. The Orchard wardens did not interfere.
Veyrath crossed only after the formation settled.
He stopped inside the boundary and studied the words grown across the bark.
[SANCTUARY COMMAND MAY ENTER.]
"Who knew Sanctuary would enter first?" he asked.
Edrin answered through the expedition channel.
"Everyone involved in the agreement."
"Did any resident know the order?"
"The receiving wardens knew. No one in the western district should have known when the gate opened."
The branch did not move while they spoke. Its leaves remained open beneath daylight filtering through the canopy.
