The three knocks came again before anyone could decide whether they had imagined the first ones.
Nova stood at the closed crossing with Haren, watching the darkness beneath the bridge. A lantern lit the nearest roots. Below them, the cleft vanished into darkness.
"That's the second time," Haren said, rubbing the edge of his ruler. "Same interval between each knock."
"And you're sure it started before the ridge passed over us?"
"I was standing beside that support when I heard it. Unless the shadow arrived before the ridge, yes."
Rell joined them with a folded blanket under one arm. "If you're planning to sleep out here, at least tell me now. I found you a place indoors, and I'd rather not explain to the owner why her guest prefers a bridge that's trying to fall apart."
"We're coming," Nova said. He looked at the ropes tied across the entrance. "Is there another way around the cleft?"
