The expedition left the sealed shelter along a road marked with white thread, and fog remained behind the stones instead of crossing them.
Rumi walked at the front with her map open while Nari kept one hand near the marker showing the safe turn.
Loccy carried the dead guardian across her back, and Ash followed beside her with the quiet Ringlet pressed against his chest.
A horn sounded beyond the next ridge, followed by wheels scraping over stone.
Juna raised her bow and said, "The sound comes from a convoy, though fog hides how many people are inside it."
Hajin studied the ridge and replied, "Keep the bow lowered until we know whether the convoy is escaping the route or carrying it toward us."
Ferra held her copper needle above the road and reported, "The carts carry no active organs, though every axle has a memory trace from one village."
Ash held his Ringlet and thought, 'A false story can guide a village when everyone hears it from someone they trust.'
