The old road reached a place where the green had been scraped away. 🌱
THE BOOK OF TAD
PAGE 68
WHERE THE GROWTH VANISHED 🍃
When clear light returned, they moved along the known side of Armoured Water, searching directly for any sign of the plate.
Finley kept his chart open only far enough to follow the old transfer line. It curved behind a hard root and should have crossed a thick bed of freshwater growth.
The bed was gone.
Broken stems lay pressed into the silt. A broad feeding hollow had been scraped where the chart showed sheltering leaves. Tiny snails clung to the last green blades with their feelers tucked in.
Zale passed the damage without a joke.
Finley touched the hard root. “This relationship still holds. The transfer route continues behind it.”
Vael studied the torn stems as they swam. “The damage is newer than the route.”
“And reaches only this far,” Glint said. “Territory remains unproved.”
The old line gave them a direction. Nothing in the water gave them permission.
Two waterweed gatherers were moving away with bundles tight against their sides. One quickened at the sight of Finley’s chart. The other slowed beside the final living patch.
TurboTAD joined that swimmer without blocking the way. “We’re looking for the last place this edge is still used.”
The gatherer glanced at the companions ahead, then at the scraped hollow behind.
“I can show you where I stop,” the gatherer said. “After that, your courage is your own.”
The guide turned without waiting for thanks. The expedition folded into the swimmer’s wake and kept moving.