Chapter 62

The air was chill and fresh as they broke camp, the early morning light casting long shadows across the ground. They shouldered their packs, their spirits bolstered by the night's discoveries and the palpable sense of purpose that pervaded their group.

As they set off, the forest seemed to wake with them, birdsong filling the air, a gentle reminder of the world's ongoing melody. Alan led them forward, the map occasionally consulted, then folded away—more a guideline now than a necessity, as they were learning to trust not just the drawn paths but their instincts and the land's subtle signs.

The terrain began to rise, sloping upwards toward a ridge that promised a vantage point not just of the surrounding valley but potentially of their futures. As they climbed, their conversation shifted to strategies, not just for navigating the physical landscapes, but for the potential challenges that lay within the realms the stone circle might access.