Maybe the gods were on our side after all.
With literally no one keeping an eye on us, we stealthily tracked Carmin and Roiden, the two members of The Eleven who’d unceremoniously volunteered to be the first watch for our traveling party. Odd behaviour from a group of egomaniacs that certainly sparked our interest to follow. They’d drifted away from the town, heading back toward the mountains but not as far north as the Pass.
Dae prowled in his tiger form so we could communicate without speaking aloud. And who knew such a big cat could have surprisingly dainty feet? He was nimble and silent as we navigated through the deadened forest. When the clouds covered the moonlight, Dae relied on his senses to gauge the distance and direction of our targets. He said they held a tense aura that was trackable, standing out even against the stark rigid energy that lingered from the faded curse.
“Why are they all the way over here? They’re almost halfway through their shift. Do you know if there’s another village or outpost nearby?”
“Not sure.”Dae’s words were a whisper in my mind, though he was projecting loudly. We were spread far enough apart that the connection was soft but maintainable. “Wait, stop.”
I stilled in the dark, sticking to the shadows of pines and evergreens.
“They’re not alone,” Dae said.
My heart strained like being squeezed in an ogres fist, and the quiet sway of leaves in the sleeping forest was replaced by the steady thrum of my pounding heart. Hiding from two people? Easy. But how many would we have to avoid?
Dae’s voice was grave as he informed me, “More of The Eleven.”
My palms instantly became slick, and I reworked the grip on my bow. They’d said they weren’t sending more than two. Or maybe they said they just weren’t announcing it. “How many?”
“There’s four—no, Marvoe is here too. Five.”
“Can you see them?”
“No, it’s just their aura. Marvoe’s is more sickly than the rest, like he carries more of the Black Pool with him.”
“Great, so if we’re caught snooping around, we’re dead for sure.”
“Want to turn back?”
I seriously contemplated.“No, if that many of them came secretly, then something is definitely going on. It’s the best chance I have to get answers.”
“Remember how we flanked the boar?”
“Same approach?”I asked.
“Same approach.”
“The distance will cut off our connection.”
“Then make sure you don’t get caught, forest goddess.”
I rolled my eyes with a playful smile, but my steps became more cautious. I wasn’t sure how far ahead they were, and with half the forest essentially petrified, there was a severe lack of coverage. After several minutes with only the crickets, moon, and quiet Braxius for company, I spotted the glow of their fire.
I prayed that the sound of my thundering heart couldn’t be heard from this distance. It only grew louder with every cautious step that moved me closer.
Dae had been right. Five members sat in view of a fire in what looked to be an established outpost. When I got close enough for their mumbled words to be made clear, I settled in place and listened.
“Is it even safe to go forward without all eleven?” Roiden asked, rubbing his hands in front of the fiery blaze.
Their usual murderous glares weren’t present as they all shrunk before Marvoe, anxiously awaiting his response. Some even appeared nervous.
Marvoe stood with his arms crossed before him, his straight onyx hair cascading past his shoulders, the fire shining off his dark, kohl-lined eyes. “Don’t you think it would be wise to locate the nest before sending the entire leadership into the expansive mountains?” The question was baiting, undercutting.
“Yes, sir,” Roiden replied, his posture shrinking.
“That’s why you will go, locate it, and report back.” Marvoe flashed a serpentine smile, one that sent chills skittering down my neck even from a distance.
Roiden straightened, daring a rapid glance at his colleagues. A silent plea for rescue, perhaps, based on the tension in his now rigid posture. Carmin stared off into the distance, intentionally stating he’d find no sympathy with her. Seeing he had no true allies, Roiden submitted with a stiff nod.
