The return home

easure Trove-about 1000 words, continuing Lina

ree: Grand

swallowed

f compacted earth and stone, reinforced with wooden beams that groaned quietly under the weight of time. I

ug this himself?" Sammy

yes scanning the tunnel. "But s

ike it knew they were getting closer. After what felt like twenty minutes, the tunnel op

stone pedestal. Upon it sat an o

d cautiously and pu

range tokens-stones with symbols, dried herbs, a t

one of the sto

sn't just treasure-i

sound echoed

tst

he flashlight. They held their breath as a

ter. After a mom

ered, "Was

d. "She'd never fol

nts, then crept back throug

had risen high. Fireflies blinked in the grass. The

porch, arms folded

as calm, but her

tree still whis

d Sammy

did y

e low but firm, "this was no

d and wal

pot of tea steamed on the table. She poured three cups

the key,

lowly placing

tubborn man. He believed in tests. He be

"He left the first clue for you.

ina asked. "I'm

e. Between past and future. You're

air. The candlelight caught the deep lines in

n our family, older than this h