Chapter 4
The Grove
Gruzdas and Musmere hike to the old oak grove marked on the map. They find the cave and discover a hidden cache of documents, including a signed affidavit from Gruzdas's grandfather that strengthens their conservation case. As they return, they spot Klisto's car approaching the millhouse, setting up a confrontation for the next chapter.
The morning came gently, with a mist that clung to the grass and softened the edges of the world. Gruzdas woke early, the kind of waking that comes when the mind is already busy before the eyes open. He lay still for a moment, listening to the birds and the distant sound of the creek, then rose and dressed in his old trousers and a wool sweater that smelled of wood smoke.
He packed a small bag with bread, cheese, apples, and a thermos of tea. He added a flashlight, a length of rope, and his grandfather’s compass, which he kept in a drawer by the bed. The compass was tarnished, but the needle still swung true.
Musmere was waiting on the porch of the millhouse when he arrived. She had tied her wild hair back with a strip of cloth, and she wore sturdy boots and a canvas jacket. Her hands were bare, and she held the map, now smoothed and folded neatly.
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