Quill looked backwards as an explosion echoed through the forest. Hundreds of birds took to the air with a cacophony of cries. Just over the treetops he could make out a blindingly white light, then nothing. The Porter under him froze halfway through a step. A chunk of its head sloughed off as the entire construct began to shake. More parts began to break off as the defined edges of the Porter began to transform back into inert clay. It crumbled beneath him. His knees buckled as they suddenly had to catch not only his weight but the sudden deluge of dirt that tumbled down around him. Pots and pans clattered together as ropes came loose from their holds around the Porter as all of their equipment was either buried or tumbled off the sudden mounds of earth that had been carrying them to safety moments before.

It took only a few moments for Quill to pull himself out of the ground. He immediately started searching for Cinder. She was dusting herself off a few feet away from him. She bent over and picked up a tent roll before turning to face him.

“Hey… Do you think-”

Quill cut her off quickly. “Probably nothing. We just need to get to the lookout. He’ll meet us there. He promised.”

They continued in silence after picking up the essentials they could find. Even the forest seemed more subdued. Birds no longer sang and the rustling of leaves no longer signaled a gentle breeze but the deadly preparations of a hunter sighting their target. The trees had started shrinking, turning into gnarled twisted shapes that preyed on the minds of terrified youth. Twigs snagged at hair and clothes in equal measure as if the forest itself was opposed to their passing. The trail they followed had become overgrown. Long tendrils of grass clawed at the sky as invisible hands pushed them to and fro.

Not even breaking above the tree line made the hairs on the back of Quill’s neck relax. Now they were completely exposed. The incline had increased, forcing them to keep track of their footing as they stepped over streams of meltwater and climbed jagged boulders. The lookout was a simple outcropping of rock that pushed out from the mountain. Its top had been weathered smooth by wind and rain, forming a plateau that faced over the entire valley. Quill heard a soft gasp as Sezzle moved forwards, her eyes roving hungrily over the view. The emerald sea of trees stretched on as far as his eyes could see, spotted with the wonderful golds of wheat fields and homes. Mountains encircled all of this like stone sentinels keeping the chaos of the world at bay.

He tore his eyes from the view to inspect the rest of the plateau, searching for any sign of Phineas. Cinder was standing over a raised section of rock, so he walked over to her.

“What are you looking at?” He asked.

“There’s some writing on the ground here. It’s in an older script so it’ll take me some time to translate it.”

“Why bother?"

“Because it’s in Master Phineas’ handwriting.”

Quill nodded and walked back to where the path intersected with the outcropping. He was just going to watch for Phineas, since he would be coming soon. As the sun slid below the mountains behind him and his shadow stretched out towards the forest below he kept repeating the same thing in his head. He’s coming.

A shout from behind had him up on his feet immediately, scanning for the cause. His eyes locked on Cinder staring at a sudden stone pillar that had risen in front of her. No, not a pillar. A golem. Quill ran over and willed his Bloodiron band into the shape of an axe. As he put himself between her and the golem he prepared for the worst.

“What happened?"

“I think he left a spell in the translation!”

“Then this should probably be fine, right?”

It was twice as tall as he was and nearly three times as wide. It had a crude stone face protruding from its chest instead of from a neck that didn’t exist. The golem shuddered for a moment before it began to speak in Phineas’ voice.

“Greetings. If you are hearing this message, then the evacuation protocol is in effect. The closest safehouse is in Stonefjord, look for the elven druid Mela. She is one of my oldest friends and will aid you in the ways I cannot. Depending on what happens I’m not sure I will be able to hold off what they send after me. I apologize for my selfishness in this. As I’m finishing this enchantment their policy is to burn everything within three miles. Who knows how it will have changed by the time this is activated.”

The golem spun around, facing the path they had taken. As the recording ended Quill became uncomfortably aware of the sound of hoofbeats echoing up the mountain towards them. The golem spoke again, this time in a much rougher voice.

“Follow the Keld north. I will delay pursuit. Do not take shelter in the ruins. Those lands are dead for a reason. Make haste.”

Stone creaked as the golem began to trudge down the path, shaking the ground with the weight of its steps. Quill shook his head to clear it. The hoofbeats were getting louder. He tightened the ropes supporting the makeshift backpack he was wearing and turned to Cinder and Sezzle.

“Lets go then. The Keld cuts through the mountains… “

They were gone. The only indication as to where they had gone was a gaping hole in the rock leading down into an unknown void deep beneath the stone. It had not been there moments ago. What else could he do but follow?