Kynes and Bren step from the hollow onto the exposed mountain path. The wind bites, but the valley below is clear now, and the road to Phandelver waits like a promise.

Bren slows beside him. Her eyes catch on a dark figure below, a lone messenger scrambling up the trail with a mage's sigil tied to his belt.

The messenger spots them, freezes, and reaches for a satchel at his side. Kynes can tell at once, whatever is inside is meant to reach Phandalin.

Bren shifts into a ready crouch, one hand near her blade, while Kynes stands between the messenger and the open trail. The hunt for Nezznar begins here, with the first living thread tied to the mage.

Kynes lifts one hand, and the air around the messenger tightens like a snapped line.

The man freezes mid-step, satchel strap creaking against his shoulder as the invisible grip pins him on the slanted path.

Wind claws at cloaks and boots. The messenger strains, eyes darting downhill toward the ruined watchtower, then back to Kynes.

The satchel bumps once against his ribs, trapped with him, while the mountain path hums under the gale.