Esther Schovik raised her hand sharply, signaling the march to a halt.
The other mages froze immediately, their senses heightened. They exchanged uneasy glances, knowing she wouldn't stop them without reason.
Following Henry's briefing, her warnings now carried the weight of absolute authority.
Naaman stepped closer to Hamilton, squinting against the blazing midday sun that shimmered over the desert.
"What's going on?" he asked, his voice low.
"I have no idea," Hamilton replied with a shrug, though his thoughts were elsewhere, puzzling over how Naaman had known about Caesar.
Esther's voice broke their exchange. "This is the barrier," she said, her tone calm but firm, as a faint flame began to swirl around her outstretched hand.
The others followed her gaze.
