By noon, the dense canopy of the Whispering Wilds finally broke, giving way to the bright midday sun. They had successfully navigated the uncharted forest.
Only roughly twenty miles of open plains remained before they would reach the towering, craggy base of the mountain range bordering the Ruined Azure Kingdom.
By nightfall, the party arrived at the mountain pass. The towering cliffs stretched endlessly into the dark sky, completely impassable for the wooden carriage and the horses.
Gideon dismounted and began unbuckling his saddlebags. "We will set up camp here for the night and begin our ascent up the mountain at first light."
"We should just climb it right now," Solomon suggested immediately, resting his hands in his pockets.
Gideon paused and looked at the teenager. "While a night ascent is certainly possible, we should not rush blindly. A proper rest is tactically necessary before engaging a potential hostile zone."
