CHAPTER 38: THE MOUNTAINS' SECRET

Scene 1: The Approach

Snow fell softly as Mira's team made their way up the winding path to the monastery. Three days of hard riding had brought them to these remote heights, where ancient stone buildings clung to the mountainside like nests of some great bird.

Lysandra raised her hand, signaling the column to halt. "The outer wards begin here," she whispered, pointing to marks carved into the rocks that lined the path. "They look like simple blessing symbols, but there's darkness underneath."

Mira took out the relic, holding it carefully. Its light revealed what ordinary eyes couldn't see - threads of corrupted magic woven through the monastery's defenses. "The monks really don't know?" she asked.

"Most don't," one of the restored warriors replied. He had once been a brother here, centuries ago. "The Order works through the abbott and a few trusted seniors. The rest think they're serving the light."