The giant eagles swept across the skies at the edge of the wasteland, taking in everything that was happening below. To Azmor, everything occurring in these polluted lands seemed little different from what he remembered—the Great Wall still sealed off that ruinous boundary, while the contaminated land and mutated forests sprawled across the ancient empire's territory like scars upon the world. The glow of the Energy Barrier reflected off distant clouds like a wall of light cast between heaven and earth, while the Civilized World... the Civilized World remained on the other side of the mountains.
But as he focused more intently on the giant eagle's line of sight, things absent from his memories came into view.
He saw a "line" formed by scattered lights crossing the Black Forest and the strip of plains along the edge of the Great Wall. The line began at the southern foothills of the Dark Mountains, where there were more lights, broad stretches of artificially leveled land, and a fortress hidden among rocks and trees. Its end stretched almost to the foot of the Great Wall—and it gave the impression that it was still extending forward, still advancing stubbornly onward.
It was a road, one that was crossing the Contaminated Zone and drawing close to the Gondor Wasteland. And it was still under construction.
Azmor was somewhat surprised. Instinctively, he guided the giant eagle a little higher, trying to cast his gaze farther ahead—his sudden movement immediately put the royal eagle riders "escorting" him on edge. Several giant eagles climbed after him in quick succession, letting out piercing cries. Their riders gripped their reins tightly, the golden pointed helmets on their heads gleaming tremulously beneath the setting sun.
"Don't be so nervous, young men," Azmor said with a soft laugh. "I'm just a frail