The western gate.
Another ordinary morning.
Merchants lined up outside the walls.
Travelers waited patiently.
Wagons creaked forward one after another.
The guards carried out their usual routine.
"Next."
A merchant entered.
"Clear."
"Next."
A family passed through.
"Clear."
Another wagon rolled forward.
The horse pulling it looked exhausted.
The driver kept the hood of the cloak low over the face.
One guard stepped forward.
"...Stop."
The wagon halted.
The hooded driver looked up.
"What is it?"
"Routine inspection."
The driver hesitated.
"...Is that necessary?"
The guard narrowed his eyes.
"Yes."
A second guard casually rested a hand on the wagon.
"Open it."
Several seconds passed.
Then—
"...Fine."
The driver climbed down.
The first guard nodded toward his partner.
"Check inside."
The second guard walked to the rear.
Unlocked the wagon doors.
Pulled them open.
Darkness.
Boxes.
Barrels.
Crates.
"...Looks nor—"
Meanwhile—
Above the gate.
A lookout scanned the horizon.
Routine.
Nothing unusual.
Then—
He frowned.
The distant forest...
Was moving.