

work in prgressThe monoliths rose from the hillside like the claws of some beast whose paw was hidden just beneath the soil. Only the sparse brush gave any indications of life here. Each talon pointed inward to the center of the hill where the stone ruin sat. It was the last place Samuel wanted to go, but he needed to know if the mark was still there. Each step he took up the hill hit the empty air and echoed back to him, with volume that put most amphitheaters to shame. When he climbed past the first talon he heard a high pitched squeal that no living thing could make. Samuel looked anxiouslwork in prgress