*Rory*
The forest closes in tighter the farther we go, and the canopy above us weaves shadows across the trail. We’ve long since left the main paths behind, Cait’s idea. Too many scouts and bandits on the obvious paths, she said. Too many men looking for MacRae blood.
Better beasts than blades.
I ride behind her through the tangled underbrush, ducking low branches. It feels like we’ve entered another world, one where time moves differently and danger lurks behind every tree.
“We’ll camp soon,” Cait calls over her shoulder, her voice low. “But keep your eyes open. These woods aren’t empty.”
“What sort of not-empty are we talking?” I ask, adjusting the sword at my side.
“Boar, bear, lynx.”
I glance around warily. “Right. So just everything that can m**m or eat us.”
“Be watchful, and
