Chapter 1031

Late morning, Jude and wives gathered offerings to bring to mountain cavern, a place spoken of by watchers in Laurel's mind: hidden space beneath glacier's lip where light emerges into darkness. They prepared flatcakes, pool water, carved figures, memory slates, woven ribbons, petals, dew. The children watched but stayed to help nurse seedlings.

They left at midday, watchers guiding steadily, weaving circles of light overhead. The wives carried Laurel forward, a living seed of watchers' covenant. The forest parted before them, glowing arcs brushing moss and denser shadows. Though route was difficult, none faltered; unity and watchers' presence guided them.

By late afternoon they found cavern mouth half-concealed by draped vines and ice. Water dripped over stone. A single watcher hovered at entrance, beckoning with mist-finger. Sacred hush filled hearts as they entered.