Silêncio — The Black Guardian of the Ridge
The Cão da Serra da Estrela is the oldest known dog breed on the Iberian Peninsula. For centuries these large guardian dogs have accompanied shepherd communities from the valley settlements to the high pastures above 2,000 metres, protecting flocks from wolves and thieves. They are documented. They are understood. They are not what is being reported here.
What is being reported here is something else. Multiple field officers over multiple years have noted the presence of a large dark dog on the Eastern Ridge — always at dusk or dawn, always alone, never with a shepherd, never with a flock. No animal has been located. The shepherds of the ridge communities know the report. When asked, they do not deny it. They call it Silêncio.
| FIRST SIGHTING ON RECORD | Year 798 — Survey Officer Dane, Eastern Ridge inspection |
| TOTAL REPORTS FILED | 14 separate field reports across Years 798 to 812 |
| LOCATION | Eastern Ridge, waypoints E-3 through E-7. Consistent across all reports. |
| DESCRIPTION | Large dog, dark coat, standing still. Never moving toward the observer. Never moving away. |
| ANIMAL LOCATED | No. Never. Search conducted Year 809 — nothing found. |
| SHEPHERD RESPONSE | Consistent across communities. They do not deny it. They do not explain it. |
The Year 809 search was conducted after the fourth sighting that season. A party of six, including two tracker specialists contracted from the northern communities, covered the relevant section of the ridge for three days. No animal tracks. No shelter. No evidence of habitation. The trackers filed a report stating that the ground showed no signs of any large animal having been present. The report does not explain the six prior sightings.
I reported this to the senior shepherd of the eastern community, a woman named Marta. She said: "You saw Silêncio." I asked what Silêncio was. She said: "What it always is. A dog that is not quite a dog, sitting at the edge of things."
I asked what edge. She said: "The one you are standing next to right now, whether you know it or not."
I did not know how to file that. I am filing it here.
Kira Ashvane, Survey Apprentice Class IV, reported a sighting at waypoint E-4 on Day 12 of Year 812. Her report is brief. She states that the dog was present for approximately one minute. She states that it did not move. She states that she did not feel afraid. Her medical annex was transferred to the Commandant's office the following week. The connection, if any, has not been noted in any official record.
Kira Ashvane saw Silêncio on Day 12 of Year 812. Four days later, Commandant Edenmoor summoned her.
READ ASHWANA — BOOK ONE →