Before Wren could respond, Mei-Lin's voice called from inside: "Wren!Come help me convince Mother that your pie plant proves baking is a legitimate magical skill!"
Jin smiled slightly."You should go.My sister needs backup."
"Jin..."
"Later.After the migration, after everything settles."He looked at her with such intensity it stole her breath."We'll talk then.Properly."
He went inside, leaving her on the terrace with her heart racing.
After the migration.
She hoped there would still be something to come home to.
The Migration
––––––––
WREN WOKE TO A SOUNDshe'd never heard before, a constant low rumbling.The entire house vibrated with it.
She threw on her robe and rushed to the window.Dawn was just breaking, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold.Below, beyond the town walls, the world was moving.
Monsters.Thousands of them.Maybe tens of thousands.
They flowed across the landscape like a living river, massive scaled creatures the size of elephants, smaller pack animals running alongside, flying beasts overhead in dark clouds.All moving in the same direction, driven by some instinct older than memory.
The migration.
"Incredible, isn't it?"Mei-Lin stood in the doorway, already dressed, holding two cups of tea.
"It's..."Wren couldn't find words."I've never seen anything like it."
"Most people haven't.We're lucky to have a view from up here."Mei-Lin handed her a cup and joined her at the window."The herds move for about a week.Heading to winter territories further south.They use the same paths every year."
"Why don't we just...block the paths?Build walls?"
"We tried, generations ago.They go through or over anything in their way.Better to let them pass and repair the damage after."Mei-Lin sipped her tea."The town walls are reinforced specifically for this.But outlying properties..."She trailed off.
