The Ridge Team, as they were being called by the general, were camped in a forest about six miles southeast of Bainbridge, Ohio.

By day, Watchman, Scavenger and Prophet carefully observed the land they’d been ordered to watch, slowly progressing toward the settlement where the person they were seeking might be. Each night, Scavenger would find a cave for them so they could rest overnight without being seen from above.

So far, their presence had gone unnoticed by the other Miyala. But they had not seen anything that would indicate that their target was, or was not, in the area.

On Sunday afternoon, torrential rain had driven them all under a large rock that was protruding from the side of a hill. A few yards away, muddy water was cascading down an incline that led back in the direction of Bainbridge. The trio had been standing still for nearly an hour, and the storm showed no sign of abating.

Watchman frowned at his soggy paper map. “We’re getting close to their shield,” he shouted over the sounds of the downpour. “Another quarter of a mile or so.”

Prophet squinted into the distance, his wolf eyes scanning the mountain in front of them. “I don’t see anything yet.”

“It’s about halfway down the other side, and you won't see it; it’s invisible,” Scavenger informed him. “I heard it prevents any animal spirit it doesn’t recognize from entering Greenwood without their chief’s permission.”

“Is it a wall around the camp?”

“A sphere.” Watchman made a circle with his burn-scarred finger. “It goes above and beneath the camp as well. Prince Nenexsa said that thing can suck animal spirits into it when they get too close. But he's as nutty as a New England fruitcake, so who knows if that's true. Don’t anyone touch it. But when we get closer, Prophet, see if you can get a read on it. Better intel on that thing should be as valuable to the general as that teleporter will be.”

Scavenger looked irritated. “This is the world’s stupidest mission,” he grumbled. “We’re looking inside of an invisible shield for someone who may or may not be there. And on top of that, we’re looking for someone who teleports, and we’d have to see him do it to know it was him. Even if we did manage to see that, and to catch him, wouldn’t he teleport away and escape?”

“YES,” Watchman growled as he rolled up his map. “I’m hoping it will be enough for us to see him do it. If the general knows what clan the guy is in, he can focus on that clan. But there are four possible clans. He can’t watch all four of them and keep looking for bundles.”

“What is so important about the teleporter?” Prophet asked.

Watchman rolled his eyes. “He wants to use the guy to teleport in and out of the Shawnee tribes to get—” He broke off and hurriedly removed his phone from his pocket. “Yes sir? Yes. We moved into position on Thursday, as planned… No. No engagement. We have not been seen. Has there been any word from… Not yet, no. We are… I see. Yes, sir, I will.” Shaking, Watchman put his phone back in his pocket. “We need to move. Now.”

“On my flyover yesterday, I saw a large rock at the top of that mountain.” Scavenger pointed up ahead. “It has an overhang. Like this one, but bigger. I think we could make our base under that rock and do the rest of our scouting from there. We should be able to see their entire valley from that vantage point. And if we watch Veiled, and with binoculars, their fliers shouldn’t see us from the air.”

“Grab your stuff and lead the way.”

“Are you sure we’ll be safe if we’re that close to the spirit-sucking shield?” Prophet asked.

Watchman reached over, grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up into the air. “I’m going to spell this out for you, since you seem to be having comprehension problems today,” he growled. “Our last two missions failed. This is strike three. If we’re spotted on enemy land, we’re dead. If we go back to the Cut empty-handed, we’re dead. The only way this doesn’t end in death, is for us to find what we’re looking for!” He threw Prophet away from him.

Prophet flew back a few feet and hit the rock wall before tumbling to the ground. Shaking, he looked up at Watchman.

“Now, get on your feet! And Veil yourself. We need to get into position and conceal ourselves before nightfall.” He slung his pack over his shoulder and pulled up his hood. “Scavenger, lead the way. Stay away from creeks and ponds so that fox of theirs doesn't see us coming.”

Prophet stumbled to his feet. The three of them grabbed their packs, and Scavenger led them back out into the deluge.