Xavier studied the massive footprints again. The wind picked up, sending fresh snow swirling around their boots and making the distant smoke columns dance against the gray sky.
"There's another possibility," he said slowly.
Both women turned to him, Ashley's crossbow still held at the ready while Naomi shifted closer to his side.
"We don't know what made these tracks. Could be hostile, could be..." Xavier paused, searching for the right words. "Look, we've been assuming the worst. But what if whatever this is isn't necessarily our enemy?"
Ashley scoffed. "You want to bet our lives on maybe?"
"I want to make an informed decision instead of running blind." Xavier gestured toward the smoke. "That village might have survivors. People who need help."
Naomi's purple hair caught snowflakes as she shook her head. "Or it might be a trap. Big scary monster leaves obvious tracks, drives prey toward a killing ground."
