The buried road pulled Ash toward a low valley where grass formed an exact circle and clouds refused to cross its center.
He stopped before the slope with his Ringlet near his chest, while the expedition gathered behind him without asking which direction he saw.
Hajin studied the empty valley and said, "Tell us what the Ringlet shows before it answers, because the field changes distance after every manifestation."
Ash stared at the grass circle and replied, "It shows a road beneath the valley, though the road feels like it is waiting for someone to remember it."
The Watcher lowered her head beside him and said, "That is an old custodian road, and the Ringlet draws from the core carrying it rather than free node power."
Ash looked at her and asked, "What does that mean for me if I keep following the pull?"
The Watcher answered, "Each answer takes strength from you, not the road, and a young core can spend itself before anyone notices the price."
