Tallow arrives in Harrowsrest and feels the second ripple unsettling the mountains. Forges tremble, river bells swing without sound and something unseen tests the world’s edges. As pressure builds, he writes a letter to Clementine that anchors them both while Astraeon begins to shift beneath their feet.
Clementine grapples with a disturbing silence in the forest and her feelings of responsibility toward it. After a conversation with Tallow, she contemplates leaving or staying, sensing an unusual disturbance that suggests something is amiss. As she gathers herbs, she realizes the tension in the air, sensing an impending change.
Clementine and Tallow navigate a familiar forest path, discussing unsettling changes in their surroundings. Tallow shares news of unusual Myth Wake activity, inviting Clementine to accompany him on a journey despite her doubts. As they sense an impending disturbance, Tallow reassures her, emphasizing the importance of taking the first step forward.
