As they climbed higher, the trees grew shorter and the air became cooler. Loose stones shifted under their boots, and the path narrowed until only one person could walk at a time.
Puddle floated ahead, pointing excitedly at anything that caught its attention. "Look! Rock shaped like fish! Look! Tiny lizard!"
Caria rolled her eyes but smiled. "At least someone's having fun."
After another hour of walking, the group reached a small flat area overlooking a deep valley. Rhys paused, taking in the view. "We're getting close to the first ridge."
Lyra crouched near a set of tracks in the dirt. "Something big passed through here. Recently."
Aria stepped beside her. "How big?"
Lyra pressed her fingers to the ground. "At least twice my size. Heavy steps. Maybe a beast… or something guarding this area."
Sophia looked nervous but steady. "Do we avoid it or check it out?"
Rhys took a moment to think. "We'll be careful. If it's a threat, we handle it. If not, we stay out of its way."
