"Highseer," her second-in-command called from the front of the formation.
"We're approaching the reported coordinates. Signs of recent activity."
Andraste moved forward, her boots making no sound despite the forest floor being covered in dry leaves. She'd enhanced her movements with origin energy, making herself lighter, quieter, and faster.
The signs were obvious once she reached the forward position.
Scorched earth, trees burned from the inside out. The acrid smell of demonic presence, sulfur mixed with rot that had no material equivalent.
"They were here," she confirmed.
"Recently. Within the last six hours."
She knelt, placing her palm flat against the scorched ground. Origin energy flowed from her hand, down through her arm, into the earth. She was reading traces, interpreting the residual energy signatures that demons left behind.
"Fifteen of them," she said after a moment.
