Cassie stopped below the arch's narrowing crown while Jonas tested the exposed grain, her sword point hovering above the water. Toby waited under the shield's rim with his bow lifted clear of a dripping branch, holding their practiced triangle tight.
Hajin trailed their progress with his right arm strapped against the splint inside its sling.
"Five paces," Cassie called, edging around the highest knot and checking both partners, "that still gives us room to turn, so tell me before the path steals any of it."
"It already wants two," Jonas grunted, sliding the shield across the inside bend with his knees loose, "I'll follow the grain until we're clear."
Loccy hopped onto a root beside the arch with her arms stretched wide for balance, "That's a very serious conversation you two are having with some moss."
"Hey, the moss won the last round, so it gets respect," Hajin snorted, waiting for the shield to clear Cassie's blade before he stepped onto the arch.
