Two days later, they found the totems — small carved figures of stone placed along a hidden trail. Human hands had made them.
The trail led to a cliff overlooking a green valley. Smoke rose from hearths. A settlement.
Whisperwood Refuge was a village of hide tents and wooden huts, nestled against a rocky overhang. The humans here wore beast-hide and moved with wary grace.
Elder Gareth was a tall, scarred man with eyes that missed nothing. He questioned them separately, then together.
Echo used his Charm carefully — not to deceive, but to resonate. He spoke of Earth, of the summoning tear, of wanting to find a way home.
Gareth's stern face softened slightly. "We have stories of world-walkers. Ancient ones."
Leyla was accepted because she'd helped a human — and because Echo vouched for her.
Mira, the Elder's daughter, approached. She was slender, with keen green eyes and hands stained with herbs. She examined Leyla's wound, applied a fresh poultice.
"It's healing clean," she said, her voice melodic. "You have strength."
That evening, Mira showed Echo cave paintings behind the village — depictions of portals, stars, and a towering figure in beast-skin robes: the first Beast Lord.
"Our ancestors could walk between worlds," she said. "But the shrines broke long ago."
Echo's Error-Sight flickered over the paintings. One showed a keystone — a gem that matched the one he'd seen in the shadow-panther's forehead.
"Do you know where such stones are found?" he asked.
Mira's eyes narrowed. "Sometimes in high beasts. Sometimes in the markets of Stone Maw. Why?"
"I think I can fix the shrine," he said quietly.
Mira studied him, then nodded slowly. "Then I will help you."
[ Bond Formed: Mira (Lv. 1) ]
[ +1 Bond Point ]
[ Skill Unlocked: Herbal Sense (identify medicinal plants) ]