The grassland ended on the third day in a long, low escarpment of pale rock. Beyond it the land dropped into a wide, shallow basin of gray dust and scattered stone where nothing grew and the air tasted faintly of old static. No birds crossed the basin. No insects moved in the dust. The wind itself seemed reluctant to enter.
Nima checked her instruments twice. “According to every map I carry, this basin should contain a minor trade road and two seasonal wells. According to the land itself, those things were never here.”
Tallen’s voice was hushed. “The Place That Was Removed. The records did not exaggerate.”
Ysara crouched and ran a scarred hand through the dust. It left no clear print for several heartbeats, then reluctantly accepted the shape of her fingers. “It is still trying to forge
