The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody inside Archive Three spoke.
Sarya could almost hear the silence stretching through the ancient chamber, settling into the spaces between each heartbeat. The notebook lay open upon the pedestal, its newest words still dark against the page, while Grace remained motionless beside it.
Outside the archive, somewhere above them, more than two hundred strangers had gathered around the Balance Branch.
"They're early," Grace murmured.
The older Witness gave a slow nod.
"They've always been impatient."
Mara looked from Grace to the Witnesses.
"You know who they are."
"We know what they call themselves."
"And what is that?"
The younger woman answered.
"Travelers."
Kael frowned.
"The technician said they wanted to know whether the bridge was ready to receive them."
"They would."
"Then why not call them travelers instead of hunters or witnesses?"
The older man smiled sadly.
"Because names depend upon where you're standing."
