High Path

Elena guides her boy across a sturdy bridge constructed with thick beams, spanning the vast chasm. The bridge, built to withstand the weight of an entire marching army, remains solid without the slightest creak. They trek through the rugged mountainous terrain, where jagged cliffs and treacherous slopes greet any visitors. The marked paths are the only safe routes, ensuring that anyone attempting to hide in the unforgiving landscape is quickly exposed. Among the valleys, several unnatural rocky peaks jut out, crowned with man-made structures. Most of these structures take the form of rounded towers, while others serve as lookouts or small bastions partially fused with the crags, each with its own unique purpose and size. Elena points to a tower near the bridge, explaining that it serves as a storage area for raw food, and gestures towards another, more cubic structure that houses gardening tools and the care equipment of crystal obelisks. The son finds the structures perplexing, as they lack stairs or visible platforms for walking. Elena unveils the secret behind these peculiar structures, revealing that they were designed with hidden tunnel systems, accessible only from within. The entrance to these master tunnels lies beneath the royal mason, where the commander resides. It's a somewhat convoluted arrangement, but as the crew used to say, all roads lead home. Amidst the other towers, one tower stands out, larger, rounded, and fortified, featuring a solitary window at its pinnacle. The son's curiosity piques, but Elena assures him that the purpose of this enigmatic tower will be revealed another day, speaking in a gentle tone.