The carts rolled along at their own accord under the cloudy sky. The green grass faded into a suburban area around them and the roads grew more complicated. Ellie consulted her map and directed them along the straightest path north they could find. The group fell tight together and a hush fell over the caravan. So far, this was the biggest city they had traveled through since the one with the white-eyed men.

The carts climbed up and over a mountainous pass. Finally, in the ...