Cane’s POV

The air around the Tithers territory always feels wrong.

The moment we get close enough to see the outer marshlands again, that strange feeling returns immediately.

The ground here is wet and dark and the smell of the marsh water is strong. I can hear insects buzzing everywhere and the thick mud pulls slightly at my boots with every step I take.

Bane is walking a few steps ahead of me.

His movements are quiet and controlled like he knows exactly where he is going.

That alone makes me watch him more carefully.

This place is not somewhere people casually walk through unless they know it well.

And...