The Old Garrison

The scent of freshly cut wood permeates the valley, mingling with the lingering aroma of burning resin. The sun, casting its final rays, begins its gradual descent behind the mist of smoke. The air reverberates with the resounding strikes of hammers and the sharp thuds of axes as they cleave through timber. A crackling fire flickers, its embers carried aloft by the gentle breeze, resembling swirling black and red fireflies. As darkness descends, the workers set aside their tools, signaling the end of their day's labor.
Stretching into the distance, the garrison comes into view, beckoning to the weary travelers. According to the father's recollections, not much has survived the passage of time. While the central area remains intact, the surrounding natural landscape has been depleted and left desolate, stripped of its resources for construction. The once vast forest has vanished, replaced by a newly formed lake. The fortress boasts a recently constructed floating bastion, strategically positioned to oversee the various valley paths leading to the castle. Ben had caught a glimpse of it from afar earlier, but it didn't truly capture his attention until they drew near and witnessed its grandeur in its entirety. Its size surpasses his initial estimation, and its foundation is fortified with metallic supports and adorned with Lemurian crystals, granting it the ability to float. It is a truly remarkable sight, one that surpasses the imaginations of the people of Rotten Oak. Due to the gravitational anomaly, fragments of fallen debris still hover around the tower and its base, giving it an appearance of danger. However, these rocks are unlikely to descend unless the crystals sustaining them are damaged. A stone bridge traverses the sky, connecting the tower to the main fortress on the hillside, with small grounded islands serving as its supports. Surely not an ordinary view. And so once again, little Jenny's voice pierces the air, but this time her fear stems from the floating rocks hovering above her head. They ascend and descend as they pass beneath the monument, evoking a sense of unease. The caravan moves onward, leaving behind a sight that will likely remain etched in their memories for cycles to come.