The hall hung in silence after Salken's words.
Tholn's expression tightened. Movement was a common term that they used as hunters in the glade to refer to tracks and signs of life. They used it to make it easier to communicate that there were beasts around.
He crouched beside Salken, his voice firm but quieter than before, "What did you see? Tell us everything. Not just the end- step by step. What exactly did you and Druven run into?"
Salken swallowed, his throat raw. His gaze slid toward Druven, who still lay unconscious, then back to the crowd that had gathered.
"We had been hunting for signs of strays past the ridge when we heard the movement. Following the trail, at first it was only tracks- clawed prints in the mud, too many going in the same direction. Druven thought it was unusual, but I said we should follow. Looking back now…"
He lowered his eyes, guilt flooding his tone, "...that was a mistake. A big mistake."
