She motioned for the others to fall in and started down the trail. The wind came in gusts and swirls, but now she could see her way down. The path was roughly the equivalent of the one she had followed up to the fortress from Durban—it was ancient, eroded by wind and the occasional flash flood, and rarely used. Yet there were moments when the wind died she could see signs that this road had been recently used. A large number of horses and wagons had come this way, and by the look of it, heading down into the valley, not out of it. Silently she wondered who was behind this and what were they playing at.

Durban was a pest hole on the Bitter Sea, and the Governor profited hugely from looking the other way as smugglers moved contraband into or out of the Empire. It was a fact of Imperial Keshian life, and no matter how many times the Empire sought to reform that office, the reality of greed, opportunity, and distance from the capital melding in that miserable city asserted itself. Still, even by Durban standards, a lot of wagons and men had been coming this way for a while.

Sandreena estimated at least a hundred dead left to rot up at the ancient fortress, perhaps more, and that much movement across the desert should have caused notice. Whoever was behind this thing they were investigating had managed to keep the Imperial guards from noticing, which meant the Governor or someone highly placed in his service was looking the other way intentionally, either due to bribery or fear…or both.

As they descended down the winding trail, following long switchbacks that took them slowly down the mountain, the wind died. As they turned from one trail to the next switchback, it was as if a curtain of blowing sand and dust was pulled aside.

“What is that?” demanded Farson.

“What, indeed?” said Sandreena as Jaliel moved forward and halted.

“Good Goddess!” He exclaimed.

“That” was a massive structure being erected in the distant heart of the valley. The outline was vaguely like that of a massive fortification of some type, forming a nearly perfect circle around something. It was apparently a circle, but from this distance detail was lost. Four towers were rising, one further along in construction than the others, and it was clear they would arch over and touch the center of this…whatever it was.

Farson said, “I’m not an engineer, though my da built siege engines for the King, so I’ve seen a bit. Those towers”—he pointed—“can’t…well, they can’t do that, arch over and touch.”

Softly Sandreena said, “I won’t mention it to them.”

“To whom?” asked Jaliel.

“Whoever’s building that monstrosity.”

“I suddenly feel like we should be seeking cover,” said Farson.

Glancing around, Sandreena said, “I will be happy to oblige as soon as you show me some.”