As Liam and Edith made their way back, the dense forest gradually gave way to a more open path. The morning sun had climbed higher, its golden rays piercing through the canopy, casting dappled light across the ground.
When they finally stepped into the clearing, the entrance to their cave came into view. However, what caught Edith's attention first was the massive earthen wall stretching around the perimeter—a formidable barrier of reinforced stone and compacted dirt, standing at least ten feet high.
"Huh…" Edith placed a hand on her hip, surveying the structure. "Lucian really went all out, huh?"
Liam studied the wall with a neutral expression. "It looks solid."
As they neared the entrance, they spotted Lucian standing near the base of the wall, arms crossed, watching their approach. Robin sat perched on a nearby rock, absently fiddling with his arrows, while Karla was closer to the cave, sorting through a bundle of firewood.