Kael eyed her for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright," he said. "Let's hunt."
And with that, the two figures veered quietly from the path, swallowed by the thickening woods, as the shadows trailed just a little too close.
Kael gently pulled on the reins of his horse and slowed to a quieter pace, letting the sound of hooves fade against the rustling wind and birdsong. The road ahead was narrow—trees rising thick on either side with brush and thicket providing the perfect cover for ambush.
Behind him, Ariana's eyes gleamed with silent purpose. She had already loosened the clasp on her sword's sheath.
"You ready?" Kael asked quietly.
"I always am," she replied, her voice like tempered steel.
