The watcher sat near Evan’s campfire without fear or hesitation. Gale remained behind Evan with wings half folded and eyes fixed on the man. The wyvern did not like him. Evan did not blame Gale. The watcher’s presence felt unnatural like a quiet pressure in the air. The red marks on his arm pulsed faintly as if reacting to the flames.
Evan sat across from him and waited. The watcher did not speak at first. He traced small shapes in the dirt with the end of his staff. Each line curved and crossed into patterns Evan did not recognize. They looked like roots spreading into soil.
Finally the watcher looked up. “You want knowledge. It is not cheap. It requires courage to hear and discipline to accept”
Evan kept his voice steady. “I cannot protect my routes if I do not understand what threatens them. So tell me”
The watcher leaned forward. “Very well. The forest is awake. You saw the spiral pattern. That is the first sign. Something old sleeps beneath this land. Something born from deep mana storms long before any kingdom existed. When mana rises too quickly and storms come too often the old roots stir. The shadow beasts hear the call”
Evan tried to understand the implication. “So the forest changes because mana changes. Does this happen often”
“Not often” the watcher said “The last time was more than a century ago. Villages vanished. Caravans disappeared. Even the great griffin riders avoided the northern routes. The forest grows restless when old mana wakes. Shadow beasts gather because they sense the coming shift”
Evan felt a weight settle on his chest. If a massive shift was coming it could erase entire trade networks. Dragon Freight was still in its first days. A crisis like this could crush the company before it grew.
Evan asked “What exactly wakes beneath the forest”
The watcher paused. His eyes glowed faint red for a moment. “We call it the Rootstorm. A current of corrupted mana that feeds on movement and fear. It twists beasts changes their instincts and draws them into unnatural patterns. It will spread if not managed”
Evan considered the information. “And how does one manage a Rootstorm”
The watcher pointed at Gale. “With the sky”
Evan frowned. “Explain”
“When the Rootstorm rises it is blind in the beginning. It senses only movement through the ground. Caravans cause tremors. Marching armies cause tremors. Even large animals create patterns the Rootstorm follows. But beasts that fly leave little trace. Wyverns and gryphons move above the land. They are the only hope to keep trade lines alive”
Evan exhaled slowly. “So Dragon Freight may be the only delivery method that works during this crisis”
The watcher nodded. “If you learn to read the sky and watch the forest’s breath you can shape routes no one else can use. But it will not be easy. The Rootstorm will grow. Beasts will change. You must be ready for things no merchant has faced”
Evan held his breath for a moment. Then he spoke with calm conviction. “I will face it. If the world changes my routes will adapt. If the land becomes dangerous I will map it from above. Dragon Freight will not collapse because of fear”
The watcher studied him carefully then tapped the dirt again. “If that is your resolve then I will give you the warning you need. A wave is coming. The first surge will reach Ironwind Valley in less than two weeks. When it comes the forest shadow will spread beyond its borders. Villages near the mountain pass will face danger. Your routes will be tested”
Evan nodded. “Then I need to prepare my fleet. I need more wyverns and possibly a gryphon team. I also need to train them for night travel in case the storms block daylight routes”
The watcher lowered his staff. “You think like a sky reader already. But remember this. The Rootstorm does not tolerate arrogance. If you enter its territory without caution you will not return”
Evan stood. “Thank you for the warning. But what is your price for giving me this knowledge”
The watcher rose and stepped closer. Gale growled low but did not strike.
“My price is simple” the watcher said “You must carry a message. Not to a village or a noble house. To a place few dare to touch. The Whisper Tree deep in the northern forest. When the time comes I will call for the delivery. And you must send one of your beasts”
Evan felt a cold tremor run down his spine. “What kind of message”
“One that the forest will understand”
Evan narrowed his eyes. “And what if I refuse”
The watcher’s voice softened. “Then the Rootstorm will swallow your routes faster than you can map them”
The threat was not shouted. It did not need to be.
Evan nodded slowly. “I accept your price”
The watcher tapped his staff once. “Good. Then remember. The sky is your only safe path now”
Without another word he walked toward the woods. The darkness swallowed him and the red glow faded.
Evan stood in silence for a long moment. Gale nudged his shoulder.
“We will prepare” Evan whispered
“We will build a fleet strong enough to cross even a Rootstorm”