Chapter 460: Line of Fire

When I came to the marker, I stopped. It had been more than two hours, running ahead of the elementals, but I needed to give the Greywood as much time as I could.

It was simple; a dowel rod, thrusting three feet up from the earth. If you didn't know what you were looking for, you could miss it.

I had a bit of dead branch in my left hand, and I touched it to the rod.

Nothing.

Were they here? Were they watching? If I had to go both north and south along the border, this would take longer.

I took the rod, slowly touched the ground less than a finger's length on the other side.

SHWOKK! An arrow appeared, piercing the palm of that hand.

[You have suffered an ORANGE critical for x4 damage; you have taken 32 points of piercing damage; after armor, 24 points have been received. You have 12/80 health remaining.]

I cursed profoundly, but did not turn my head, did not spit. Did not put any effort into making my words into reality.