Chapter 1796

The rain had left small pools along the paths, reflecting the lantern light. The flower garden was dark beneath the tree, but its little wooden markers were still visible.

He walked over to the bench and sat down.

The wood was cool beneath his hands.

He could hear the steady flow of water from the stream, the rustling of leaves, and the distant sounds of the others settling into their homes.

Tomorrow will bring more work.

The storehouse needed a proper roof. The covered sitting area needed planning. The vegetable beds would need attention, and the garden would eventually need a table.

But none of it had to be finished tonight.

Jude looked toward the cabins, where warm light shone through the small windows.

Then he stood, walked back along the path, and closed the door behind him.

Outside, the last drops of rain fell from the leaves.

The village slept beneath a clear night sky, while the island quietly recovered from the storm.

The morning after the rain was unusually quiet.

There were no arguments near the firepit, no complaints about breakfast, and no sound of Scarlet demanding that someone build her another piece of furniture. Even the animals seemed reluctant to leave their shelters.

Jude noticed the silence when he stepped outside his cabin.

The sky was clear, but the forest still held the dampness of the previous night’s rain. Drops of water clung to the leaves, and the wooden walkways connecting some of the treehouses glistened in the morning sunlight. Beyond the village, the island’s mountains stood beneath a thin layer of mist.

He stretched and looked toward the beach.

The sea was calm.

A little too calm, perhaps.

There was something unusual about the horizon. A faint grey line stretched across the water, almost like a distant wall of fog. It had not been there the previous evening.

"Jude!"

He turned.

Sophie was approaching from the central firepit, carrying two wooden cups.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. Where is everyone?"

"Most are still getting ready. Susan is preparing breakfast. Scarlet has apparently decided that the storehouse roof is more important than eating."

Jude accepted one of the cups.

"That’s a new development."

"She says she wants to finish the work before the next rain."

"Perhaps we should encourage her."

Sophie smiled. "I already did."

They stood together for a moment, looking toward the sea.

"Do you see that?" Jude asked.

Sophie followed his gaze.

"The mist?"

"Yes."

"It’s probably coming from the water."

"Perhaps."

She studied it for a little longer. "It looks strange."

Before Jude could answer, Rose called from the path.

"Are you two coming? Breakfast is ready!"

They joined the others at the firepit.

The morning meal was simple: warm bread, roasted roots, fruit, and a thick vegetable soup. Susan had prepared enough for everyone, and the others gradually gathered around the wooden tables.

Scarlet arrived last, carrying a small piece of timber.

Jude looked at it.

"Why are you bringing wood to breakfast?"

"I found a problem with the storehouse roof."

"Already?"

"One of the supports needs replacing."

"Can’t it wait until after breakfast?"

Scarlet placed the timber beside her seat.

"I don’t want to forget."

"You could have left it near the storehouse."

"I might forget where I put it."

Rose shook her head. "You are becoming impossible."

Scarlet began eating.

The conversation moved toward the day’s plans. Jude intended to inspect the fallen tree near the northern path and gather timber for the storehouse. Sophie and Serena offered to accompany him, while Natalie planned to work on the vegetable beds.

Layla wanted to visit the western stream to check whether the rain had changed its course. Stella and Grace intended to finish the flower garden markers, and Lucy and Zoey had volunteered to collect firewood.

Everything seemed ordinary.

Until Jude noticed that the strange mist over the sea had not moved.

He looked toward it again.

It was still there, stretched across the horizon like a pale curtain.

"Perhaps we should visit the beach before going north," he said.

Serena glanced at him. "Why?"

"I want to see whether the weather has changed near the coast."

Sophie nodded. "I’ll come."

Rose also offered to join them, but Jude suggested that she stay and help Susan with the storehouse preparations.

Scarlet raised her hand.

"I’ll come too."

Jude looked at her.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to repair the roof?"

"I can do that later."

"You were the one who said it was urgent."

"It’s urgent, but the sea is more interesting."

Rose laughed. "Go with them. Perhaps the sea will teach you patience."

Scarlet looked unconvinced.

After breakfast, Jude gathered a small pack containing water, a few pieces of bread, and a rope. Sophie brought a basket, while Serena carried a wooden staff to help with the uneven coastal path.

The four of them left the village through the western trail.

The forest was still wet from the rain. Their footsteps pressed into the soft earth, and water occasionally dropped from the branches above them. They passed the flower garden, the western fence, and the meadow path before reaching the narrow track that descended toward the shore.

As they approached the beach, the sound of the sea became clearer.

But something else accompanied it.

A faint ringing.

Jude stopped.

"Did you hear that?"

Sophie turned toward him.

"Hear what?"

"Something like a bell."

They listened.

The ringing came again.

A single distant note, almost swallowed by the waves.

Serena looked toward the cliffs.

"Perhaps it’s coming from there."

Scarlet frowned. "There isn’t anything on the cliffs."

"I know."

They continued down the path.

The beach appeared gradually between the trees. Pale sand stretched along the coast, bordered by dark rocks and scattered pieces of driftwood. The sea was calm, and small waves moved gently toward the shore.

The mist was much thicker here.

It hovered just above the water, obscuring the distant rocks.

Jude stepped onto the sand and looked around.

"Something happened here."

Sophie followed his gaze.