"It does not surprise me that the symbols resemble each other. The Animas are as old as the earth, even if there are only a unique handful of us older than a millenia. It is quite possible the High Council used Charn motifs...or the Charn used ours. I'm not much of an expert on the subject."

There is a crackle all around them and the camp thrums with invisible energy. It crackles under the two men's feet.

"Ash. GUESTS!" She lays a hand on both of their shoulders and the crackling disappears.

"At least the defenses are up again."

Kraklaw comes out to her side, looking worried. "I do not know why they were down, Yyrees. They weren't broken, just down. But my friend that holds the Keys has not been moved and he tells me of no intrusion upon him. Even if he had been tampered, his touch was not on the shield."

He looks uneasy and his feathers are standing a bit ruffled up.

"Something is not right."

Yyees pinches her nose between her eyes. "I swear...I should have stayed in the Midland."

"Kraklaw, I know it's earlier than planned, but hand over your basic duties to Lender for now. You said yourself he's ready. Focus your energies on monitoring the defenses and our surroundings. Perhaps notify the Croppings. One thing at a time."

Kraklaw bobs his head up and down. He is a wise man, but he does not like conflict and things he cannot explain. "Yes yes, Lender will do well. His pebbly fingertips do not catch fire as mine do anyways! It will be a relief to not be scorched on every morn!"

He lays his hand on her shoulder as he departs, whispering softly to her in the Animas language. "Be careful, my friend. When I say something is not right, I do not mean solely our defenses. There is a hum in our air and it does not speak from the Mother."

Yyrees nods and dismisses him.

"We will wait for the others, and then we shall depart!"

"Mrt, you'll want to cover those ears again soon. We're leaving via the trade path."