Bloodied Maps and Rising Tides

The hidden passage climbs beyond the city wall and spills into thorn country. Goblan emerges alone; the Hooded Watchman remains behind at the sluice, while the sergeant’s pursuit fades underground.

Among blackthorn and wet bracken, a timber wayhouse crouches beneath moss-dark shingles. A young adult woman with a lean build, copper-brown skin, and tightly braided black hair watches from its doorway.

Her green wool coat is patched at the elbows, and a lowered crossbow rests ready across her forearms. Behind her, travel packs, route seals, and a saddled mule crowd the lamplit room.

Rain ticks against the thorn branches. Mara’s gaze fixes on the map’s concealed weight beneath Goblan’s armor, though she makes no move to raise the weapon.

The wayhouse door remains half-open, offering warmth and concealment. Beyond Mara, the mule shifts its tack, and a sealed dispatch tube knocks softly against a pack.

Goblan draws the concealed map from beneath his armor and opens it beneath the doorway’s lamplight, keeping its inked route visible to Mara.

Mara studies the marked turns, then the weathered seals along the map’s edge. Her crossbow lowers a finger’s breadth, though she keeps it ready.

She steps aside, making room in the doorway. The mule settles as Mara gathers the map’s corners and checks the nearest seal against a brass token.

Warm lamplight spills across Goblan’s wet boots as Mara leads the mule toward the rear gate. Packs are tightened, the dispatch tube secured, and the way east stands open.

Reach the eastern ford