Chapter 1024
Jude knelt by the earth, pressing both hands in the cool soil.
"We speak our covenant again,"
he intoned softly.
"From mountain to river, root to light, our hearts pledge unity."
One by one, wives spoke: Susan whispered protection, Rose spoke nourishment, Serena wove patience into ribbons, Layla scattered beauty, Natalie offered time, Zoey traced guidance, Lucy fixed memory, Stella lit hope, Emma mirrored watcher essence, Sophie shaped form, Scarlet braided love.
All pressed palms to earth, weaving intention into soil. Watcher-light responded, first faint, then pulsing, then solid arcs above them, shimmering in the soft dawn light.
The children repeated watchersign and covenant in tremulous voices; the watchers dipped low as if blessing.
When finished, Jude rose and led them in watchersong, soft, layered voices mimicking rustle of leaves, rhythm of roots, heartbeat of seedlings. Light pulsed in synchronization; vines at ring edges rippled; petals glowed. A watcher drifted down and circled each wife, brushing mist against hair before rising again. Jude exhaled with wonder.
"Today," he continued, voice reverent, "we venture to the valley pools and chart watchers there. Wisdom shared must return to seed. Who joins me?"