Inside the secret cave, the faint glow of the torches flickered against the stone walls. The air was heavy, filled with the scent of damp moss and the lingering heat from the sealed entrance.
Matthew stirred first, his instincts sharpened by years of battle. He immediately sensed something was wrong. The silence outside was too sudden, too absolute.
He turned to Priscilla and Josiah, who were still half-awake, and then to the sealed entrance. His heart tightened.
"They found us," he whispered. "How did they find us so quickly?"
But before he could spiral into panic, a muffled thud came from the other side.
THUD. THUD.
"Feral Beavers love ripe Aurdian Fruits!"
Matthew exhaled, relief flooding through him.
"It's Thane! He's alive!"
With practiced focus, he pressed both palms against the wall. A pattern of green light pulsed beneath his hands as his magic responded. The solid rock rippled like liquid, unraveling into an opening.
