71. Seven Seeds Out of Two Hundred [BONUS]

Kaia drew her sword before the soil stopped moving.

Brann stepped in front of Rowan while Cedric ordered every weaker troop away from the field.

Carlos kept one hand near the Warden Chain.

Nothing emerged. The green lights instead continued pulsing beneath the soil like slow heartbeats.

"Inspect isn't identifying it from here," Carlos said.

Rowan watched the dirt instead of the weapons. "The soil rose and fell together. It may be a mechanism beneath the beds, not a creature."

"May be?"

"I am a farmer, my lord. I do not name things buried under ancient fields."

Carlos almost smiled. "At least you are honest."

Before continuing the work, Carlos returned through the portal and brought Blue into the district. The Mana Water Sprite would be needed if the preserved roots reacted badly to the restored flow.