Chapter 1026

They slept under watchers' glow, circle close, children in arms. The watchers drifted overhead, lights unmoving but alive, as if guard and witness.

At dawn next day, Jude and Grace walked ring-side, Laurel toddling between them. Grace smiled. "She woke me naming watchersign in sleep."

He laughed, fingers brushing her cheek. "Then our next task is school at ring, morning ritual for children."

They knelt together, tying ribbons and scattering petals. Watchers drew near like students leaning into lesson. He taught Rae watchersign: root-time-memory. Grace taught Laur watchersign: water-flow-light. Watcher-light bent over children like cloak.

Wives followed teaching, Rose teaching glyph-song to small group, Zoey showing how to shape seed-charms, Stella lighting watcherslaves, Susan leading songs. Knowledge carried gently. Watchers hovered around children, pulsing in approval.