The canopy of the Pine-Shadow Forest was a masterclass in deception. To the untrained eye, the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense pine needles painted a picture of absolute tranquility. But Elian’s eyes were no longer untrained, and the silence in the woods was anything but peaceful.
"Three sets of footprints," Elian murmured, crouching low to the damp earth. He traced the edge of a deep boot print with his gloved finger. "They belong to the morning patrol. Caleb said they left at dawn to check the mountain spring."
"And they have not returned," the Voice hummed in his mind, its tone analytical and cold. "The standard patrol rotation dictates they should have reported back to the village gates two hours ago."
"They were dragging their feet here," Elian observed, pointing to th
