Chapter 976

"We will," Jude agreed. "But I'm not leaving without one of these glyphs copied."

Using charcoal and paper from his satchel, he carefully sketched the clearest markings. He didn't know what they meant, but they held weight, like a memory buried deep in language itself. When he finished, the four of them hurried back toward the orchard. Mist chased them, swirling at their heels until they passed the shipwreck. Beyond that point, it vanished as if it had never been.

The rest were waiting.

The moment Jude stepped into the central yard, the energy shifted. His wives gathered around, their faces lined with concern. Sophie touched his arm, then looked at the others. "What did you find?"

"A stone," he said. "Marked. Watched."

He unrolled the sketch onto the table. Susan and Emma leaned in, frowning. Scarlet, arms folded, asked quietly, "Same language as before?"