Kane woke before dawn in the quiet Pinebarrow hut The faint glow of dawnroot lanterns reflected on the wooden walls creating swirling patterns as the wind brushed past the small openings The village had its own rhythm unlike any place he had seen People moved at sunrise not because of urgency but because the ridge demanded it

He stepped outside breathing in the cold fresh air The sound of the ridge stream echoed in the distance Erynd stood waiting near a stone arch that marked the training ground He motioned for Kane to follow Today you learn the most important lesson of the hidden road The message through the wind

Kane followed him through a narrow path lined with pine roots Eventually they reached a clearing on a small cliff edge Overlooking the entire valley stood a tall wooden structure made of thin branches tied with expertly woven lashings It resembled a wind harp the kind travelers sometimes built for festivals but this one was wider more intricate

Kane stared What is this

Erynd approached the wooden tower placing a palm gently against the central beam This is how we speak across distance without sound This is how Pinebarrow stays alive

He showed Kane the narrow strips of carved wood hanging between strings Each strip had a different shape Some bent like curved leaves others straight like thin stalks

Erynd continued The Guild listens to the roads They station patrols where caravans pass They watch rivers and cliffs but they do not understand wind communication These strips vibrate with wind patterns If arranged in a certain order the sound carries a hidden message one only trained ears can read

Kane stepped closer listening At first he heard only soft whistling wind passing gaps Then he began to notice subtle tones like whispers in different pitches

Erynd nodded You hear the beginnings With practice you will learn to interpret them the way your father did

Kane looked at him surprised My father used this too

Erynd’s expression softened Thalen was the best reader we ever had He understood the wind without touching the strips He could predict a storm hours before it came and detect when Guild scouts were near because the valley wind shifted differently around metal armor

Kane felt a strange mix of pride and grief rise inside him

Erynd gestured toward the tower Help me change the strips Today a message must go out to the farmers beyond Ridgewatch Pass

Kane worked beside him learning how to unhook wooden strips and replace them with others Each strip had tiny carved grooves The placement mattered angle depth alignment all guided the wind to create specific tones Kane memorized each one repeating Erynd’s explanations

Erynd said This message warns that the Guild patrols search for a trader who unknowingly carried a frostroot crate We send the message to tell the farmers not to engage with strangers The Guild presses harder now Your name travels far

Kane felt his stomach tighten I never meant for any of this

Erynd looked at him steadily Fate rarely asks permission Kane You follow the stream you were meant to enter

When the strips were rearranged Erynd stepped back letting the wind strike the tower A series of low hums echoed through the valley then a few high fragile notes followed blending together in a pattern that felt almost alive Kane listened trying to break down the rhythm

Erynd asked What do you hear

Kane closed his eyes focusing The first long hum means movement danger approaching The high notes warn to avoid the main road The shifts between tones tell listeners to gather near stream shelters

Erynd smiled That is faster understanding than most You truly carry your father’s sense

Kane absorbed the compliment quietly letting the sounds wash over him

As they prepared to leave Mira approached with a bundle of dried dawnroot She carried the herbal scent that filled the entire garden She handed the bundle to Kane Take this You must learn to carry dawnroot correctly Keep the bundle tied close to your chest body warmth preserves its light before drying

Kane held the bundle carefully feeling its faint pulse How long until I learn everything

Mira laughed lightly No trader learns everything Even your father still learned until his last day But you will master what you need before you return to the open road

Kane blinked Return You want me to leave Pinebarrow

Erynd leaned against the tower You must leave but not yet Pinebarrow survives because traders like your father built roads outside the village Roads that let goods travel unseen We cannot send dawnroot shipments without trusted couriers You may someday carry one

Kane felt the weight of responsibility heavier than any crate he had ever lifted

Mira added Before that you must learn one more thing how to pass a message without being caught

Kane looked between them What kind of message

Erynd pointed toward the west ridge The caravan you left in Ironford will reach the low plains soon They do not know the Guild patrols tighten their hold Tell them Do it without directing the Guild to us

Kane understood the task fully now He must carry warnings across roads watched by those who sought him

He trained the rest of the day with Erynd and Javin learning how to hide messages in rope knots how to encode direction in herb bundles how to pack crates with false bottoms Erynd even taught him how to misdirect Guild inspectors with simple believable lies

When the sun lowered Mira returned to him handing a small carved stone with the pine tree symbol etched in its center Use this when you meet someone trusted Show it only if forced to choose between danger and truth

Kane bowed his head I will protect it

That night he lay awake feeling the village breathe around him He thought of the caravan Brann Serra the merchants he helped He imagined the Guild patrols circling closer like tightening rings

He whispered into the darkness Father I will not let your roads fade

Outside the hut the wind harp tower hummed sending messages far across the valley carrying

warnings through unseen paths Kane listened to its voice until sleep finally wrapped around him