A few minutes later, they finally reached the gate.
Beyond the Blackstone Wall, the forest stretched in every direction, thick enough that the settlement disappeared from view almost immediately after they stepped outside.
Iris paused for a moment.
The air felt different out here.
Not because the forest itself had changed.
Because they were no longer standing behind the protection of Velaris.
She looked back once.
The gate stood open behind them, the dark stone blending into the surrounding forest. From this distance, the wall was already difficult to distinguish between the trees.
Caleb stepped forward.
"So, where do we start?"
"Not too far," Iris said.
She looked around the forest.
"We stay close enough to retreat if something stronger appears."
The others nodded.
They spread out slightly, but not enough to lose sight of one another.
The bodyguards naturally formed the outer layer.
