Arriving at the second beacon, August discovered a guard reclined on the ground, a subtle sign of fatigue after laboring through the night. The beacon, however, stood complete. A choice presented itself – allow the guard a moment's reprieve or wake him to stress the importance of vigilance. August, mindful of the mission's gravity, chose the latter, gently rousing the guard and imparting a sense of duty.
As he moved north to the third beacon, the forest embraced him in its mysterious depths. August, navigating the intricate network of trees and shadows, approached the beacon's location. The sight that awaited him, however, was disquieting – a still guard lay beside the nearly finished structure. August checked his pulse, and his initial guess was correct; the woman was dead, body warm but cooling. The beacon's completion had been obstructed by an unforeseen obstacle, casting a shadow over the city's preparedness.
WC: 152