The area around Ashford didn't stay silent for long. Orbs of white light flared atop the metal walls and pierced the coming darkness.
A wailing sound, triggered by the base's primitive alarm system, began to echo through the area.
Reidar was on the ridge, watching the base. Below, the Zealots and Elite Guards moved around, getting into position. They drew their weapons and scanned the treeline to see if there were intruders while their glowing armor pierced the coming darkness as defensive spells activated.
"They know," Lena said. She tightened her grip on her daggers. "Are you sure Viren didn't see the Foragers? Or where they came from?"
"He sensed them and killed one," Reidar said. "Even though he didn't see it, he must have realized it wasn't just a random animal."
Reidar had miscalculated. The Forager had been spotted—or at least sensed—and now Viren had locked down the entire base because of it. One ant. One mistake.
