The forest swallowed sound.
Only the soft crunch of hooves pressing into fresh snow broke the silence, and the occasional sharp snort from a restless horse. The air was heavy, with white flakes drifting down and clinging to cloaks.
"We are close," the scout said, lifting his arm as a signal to slow down.
Everyone slowed down and waited for more information from the scout.
"They were just beyond that tree line," he said, his arm pointing towards the treeline in question.
"Go check it out," Rhys commanded.
The scout just nodded and headed in that direction.
"Dismount," Rhys said, and everyone dismounted their horses.
Two guards left the formation, staying behind to guard the horses. The rest moved forward, boots crunching softly against the snow as they fell into formation. Kael, Lucas, and Rhys led the way, their steps cautious but steady. The others spread out behind them in a loose semicircle, with shields angled outward and spears lowered just enough to be ready.
Kael's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. It had become a habit since the day he received it, an anchor in moments when his thoughts threatened to scatter. The rough leather beneath his gloves steadied him, drawing the noise out of his mind until only one thing remained: focus.
The forest seemed to close tighter around them. Each tree was a shadow, each gust of wind a whisper that set nerves on edge.
The guards gripped their spears as if letting go meant death. Some hands trembled despite themselves, others clenched and unclenched their fingers. Fear showed in different ways: tight jaws, quickened breaths, restless eyes. It was there in every man.
Yet none of them faltered. Step by step, they pressed forward. They knew what waited ahead, and still, they pressed on.
They were maybe a hundred meters away from the horses when the pounding of hooves broke through the stillness. From the treeline ahead, a rider burst into view, snow spraying from the horse's legs with every frantic stride.
Just as he came into view, Lucas and Rhys both shouted, "Hold."
As soon as the rider appeared, the guards moved without hesitation. They closed ranks around Kael, shields and spears shifting into place just as they had discussed. The formation curved tightly.
Two guards moved to the left, two to the right, forming flanks that could intercept any sudden attack. Rhys stayed just behind the semicircle, ready to support or step in where needed.
At the front, Kael and Lucas stepped forward together, the snow crunching under their boots. The space before them was left open, a clear path for Kael to strike. Lucas stopped a step behind Kael, ready to support but also leaving a clear path so Kael doesn't have to worry about hitting him.
At the command, every man locked into position, boots digging into the snow, eyes fixed ahead.
They left the horses behind because they were not trained for battle and would panic easily in combat. Only Lucas and Rhys had the skill to fight effectively from horseback.
As the rider slowed and brought the horse to a stop, the animal snorted sharply, stamping a front hoof and tossing its head to shake off the tension of the sprint. Steam curled from its nostrils in the cold air.
The rider leaned forward, gripping the reins, and called out, "Sir Lucas, the shadowfangs are gone from the area."
"Where do the tracks lead?" Lucas asked, returning his sword to the scabbard on his hip.
"Deeper in the forest," Came the reply from the scout.
"Lovely," Kael muttered.
"Captain, what do you think?" Lucas asked, while glancing at Rhys.
Rhys stayed silent for a few seconds, pondering, then said, "I wouldn't recommend going too deep into the forest, but we can pursue them a little way." He leaned against the tree beside him. "Maybe we'll get lucky and they take the bait."
Kael let out a quiet sigh, tightening his grip on the sword hilt. "Let's hope they do."
"Alright," Lucas said, then turned his attention to giving orders. "Same as before. Three of you scout ahead, the rest of us follow. Stay alert and don't take unnecessary risks."
Just perfect, Kael thought. He hated the feeling before a battle, the tight knot of fear, and the way it made his stomach churn. He could push through it when the adrenaline was high, but now, with the first rush gone, he would have to work himself up all over again.
They returned to the horses, mounted up, and pressed deeper into the forest. This time their pace was slower and every step more cautious.
From what Kael had learned, the forest was full of wild beasts and monsters, though most usually kept their distance from the village. The forest itself was never forgiving. Shadowfangs weren't the only threat lurking in its depths. With the packs uniting, the other creatures had scattered, avoiding their territory. That was why the woods seemed so empty now. Going deeper was a gamble. They would almost certainly run into danger, but there was no guarantee it would be the shadowfangs.
They followed the tracks at a careful pace for more than an hour, but there was still no sign of the beasts. The scouts rode back a few times with the same report: nothing. Rhys began to doubt whether it was worth the risk of pushing farther into the forest, and at last he gave the order to turn back. Rhys had the most experience dealing with monsters and beasts alike, so they trusted his judgment without question.
The hunt was far from over, yet going any deeper would be reckless. Better to return and hope to catch another pack closer to the village.
There were no more than two hours of daylight left. They were close to the village and had not encountered any shadowfangs. They were tired and starving, so they decided to take a break to fill their stomachs and let the horses rest before heading back to the village.
Was that a good idea? Kael had no clue. Still, he welcomed the rest. His bottom ached from riding all day, and he hated every moment of it.
While Kael stretched his legs, the guards fed and watered the horses, and the others prepared food.
"Captain," Kael called out.
Rhys walked over, "Yes, my lord?"
"Why did we stop?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"The horses need rest," he said, pointing at the horses, "push them any farther and we risk injuries or worse."
Kael just nodded, his curiosity satisfied.
A guard brought Kael his meal, a piece of dried meat. He still hated it, but he had grown used to it. It had been the only thing he'd eaten on the long journey to Luminara.
He leaned on the closest tree, tore off a small piece, and chewed slowly, tasting the dryness and salt, wishing there was something fresher.
The year he had spent at the Count's manor had made him a bit picky. He ate like a king there, or at least he assumed that was how kings ate. Fresh vegetables and fruits, honey, meat, and warm bread every day. Compared to that, this dry meat was pitiful, but it would have to do.
Kael tore another bite of the dried meat. The forest seemed almost still, the horses quietly munching, the men exchanging muted words as they ate. For a moment, it felt like the day's tension had lifted.
Then, a sudden whinny cut through the air. One of the horses jerked violently, stamping a hoof, nostrils flaring. Another followed, ears pinned back, muscles coiling as if ready to bolt.
Rhys was the first to notice. His head snapped up, eyes scanning the tree line. "Defensive formation! " he shouted, voice sharp and commanding.
Shields were grabbed from where they had been leaned against the trees, spears yanked free from the snow and pressed into the ground for grip. Men scrambled into their semicircle, boots slipping in the snow, eyes darting toward the forest. Kael dropped the meat he had been holding, and others did the same, leaving their rations scattered in the snow as they snapped into readiness.
The horses neighed and stomped nervously, tossing their heads, rearing slightly. Kael realized that if the animals panicked completely, the guards would be vulnerable. Before he could say something to move away from the horses, Lucas gave the command. They started moving away from the horses, still in defensive formation. Kael was in the middle with the others forming a semicircle.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement between the trees. Nothing yet, but instinct screamed at him.
"Stay alert!" Lucas barked, stepping beside Kael, sword ready. "No gaps!"
The forest, so silent and calm moments ago, suddenly felt alive with unseen threats. The tension coiled like a spring around them, every sense on edge.
"Well, looks like we are the prey now," Kael muttered with a dry chuckle, glancing at the guards.