Rustling in the leaves added to the symphony of crackling branches, whispering incoherently to themselves. The rocky terrain looked as though a mountain had been crushed and thrown about to create boulders stretching the length of the steep slope. Throughout the shadows were decaying bushes, weeds, and patches of grass. No flowers lay on these deserted hills. Nothing of beauty had been seen in this part of the world in many, many years.

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