Days passed and the Arcane Beast Conservation Station began to resemble a living sanctuary rather than a cluster of wooden frames The warden spirit recovered quickly and often walked near the enclosures watching over the injured beasts as if blessing the land with its presence Whenever it passed the ground brightened with faint light patches of new growth spiraling from its steps

Evan spent the mornings checking on every creature the dawnclaw lynx whose breathing grew stronger the thunder bear whose wound healed slowly and a pair of crystal horn hares rescued from a collapsed burrow Each animal needed its own care food method of approach and quiet reassurance He wrote everything down in the field guide building knowledge that the villagers had never seen so organized before

One afternoon Evan climbed a wooden watch platform overlooking the basin From here he could survey the entire sanctuary the pond where glow insects drifted the meadows where the lynx rested and the trees where tiny feather sprites nested peacefully For a moment he allowed himself to breathe The land felt calmer healed in the smallest ways

Dalen climbed up to join him The villagers whisper about you he said They call you the Beast Listener Some think you are blessed by the spirits

Evan chuckled without humor No blessing Just experience and patience

Dalen leaned on the wooden rail Still you brought something here Something new This station gives people hope But hope can also draw danger

Evan turned sharply What do you mean

Dalen pointed toward the distant forest near the ridges Smoke rising barely visible Someone has been camping there at night We found fresh tracks near the northern path Boots not from our village They moved carefully not like travelers More like hunters

Evan felt a familiar dread They might be the ones setting the illegal traps

Dalen nodded I believe so They avoid our patrols but leave signs they are watching the sanctuary

Evan watched the smoke twisting into the sky We need to find them before they harm another animal

Dalen agreed but hesitated They may be armed and skilled You know beasts but you do not know the cruelty of some hunters in this kingdom

Evan gripped the railing firmly Then I will learn quickly

Before Dalen could respond a shrill cry echoed through the canopy overhead Birds scattered from the trees as a wind burst downward Evan looked up and gasped A large winged creature glided toward the sanctuary but its flight wavered as if unsteady The wings shimmered silver and violet

Dalen shouted A sky glider hawk Rare and dangerous It should never fly this low

The hawk descended sharply losing control Evan ran toward an open field The creature crashed into the grass sending a burst of radiant feathers into the air Evan slowed as he approached voice gentle You are hurt I can see it

The hawk attempted to rise but collapsed Its left wing bent at an unnatural angle Sparks of pale magic flickered around the fracture Evan knelt slowly checking its breathing The hawk blinked weakly its eyes bright with swirling silver

Dalen reached him cautiously This species is known to strike without warning

Evan shook his head Its wing is broken If it wanted to attack us it would not be on the ground I need to move it to the treatment hut

Evan wrapped his coat around the hawk supporting the damaged wing carefully The creature let out a soft pained note but did not fight Instead it tucked its head toward its chest as if trusting the human carrying it

Inside the treatment hut Evan cleaned the wound and examined the fracture The bone was smooth but glowed faintly Magic mixed with biology I need to stabilize it he said But I do not know how its magic affects healing

Dalen watched with concern If you set the bone wrong it may lose its ability to fly forever

Evan breathed slowly I have worked on eagles hawks falcons Magic changes the shape but instincts remain He murmured soothing words steadying the creature before gently shifting the wing back into alignment The magical glow surged briefly then settled as if accepting the correction

When he finished wrapping the wing in soft fabric the hawk relaxed resting its head against his hand

Dalen stared amazed It trusts you completely

Evan sat back exhausted It only wants to live That is all any animal wants

The warden spirit approached the hut its footsteps leaving trails of light When it touched its antlers to the injured hawk a soft green glow spread through the room The hawk’s breathing eased and its body settled into deeper rest

Evan watched quietly The spirit understands healing more than magic itself

Dalen whispered perhaps the land approves of what you are building

But before they could reflect further a young villager ran toward them panting Hunter tracks near the southern creek Fresh ones They are close maybe watching us

Evan tightened his jaw Bring Dalen and me to the tracks immediately This sanctuary cannot become a target

The child led them through the forest where the trees whispered as wind brushed through their branches They found footprints moving in a curving pattern around the sanctuary border Print depth indicated heavy boots The stride length suggested tall experienced hunters

Dalen knelt beside the tracks These were made by at least three people They walked in a scanning pattern looking for weak spots in our perimeter They are evaluating the sanctuary like prey

Evan felt anger burn through him This place is not prey And neither are the beasts inside

The tracks continued toward the ridge then vanished abruptly Dalen frowned They know how to cover their trail Professionals

Evan stood staring into the forest We cannot wait for them to strike We need to strengthen our defenses build watch posts coordinate patrols If they come for the animals they will find us ready

Dalen nodded firmly I will gather the scouts tonight

Evan turned back toward the sanctuary but something caught his eye A tree trunk carved with a strange symbol Three jagged lines crossing over a circle

Dalen’s face darkened I know that mark It belongs to a group called the Night Takers Poachers who capture magical beasts to sell to nobles They work in secret No laws reach them They hunt anything rare

Evan felt his chest tighten They will not touch these animals Not while I breathe

As night settled the canopies whispered with warnings and the faint glow of magical insects lit the deepening shadows Evan stood on the watch platform scanning the forest with unwavering determination

The sanctuary had been born
Now it had to be defended