Asher traveled through the night and reached the first marked location by morning.
It was a transport hub on the edge of two regions. Caravans stopped here to rest, trade, and switch routes. On the surface, everything looked normal.
Asher didn't go inside right away.
He watched.
Merchants argued over prices. Guards drank tea. Workers unloaded crates. But some wagons never got inspected, and some people avoided the main paths.
"There," Asher said quietly.
He followed one of those wagons when it left the hub. It moved off the main road and into a narrow trail behind the hills.
Asher stayed far back and kept his presence low.
The wagon stopped near an old storage building. No signs. No lights. Just stone walls and a heavy door.
Two men got down and started unloading sealed crates.
Asher waited until they opened one.
Inside were crystal containers.
Soul containers.
"That's the supply line," Asher said.
He stepped out.
Both men froze.
