"So tell me again," Captain Nari said, wincing as she adjusted her position against the large oak tree, "how exactly did you find us?" The forest around them had settled into predawn stillness, the first hints of morning light barely visible through the dense canopy. Their small campfire cast dancing shadows across Mika's face as she applied a salve to Seril's wounded leg.
"You're quite difficult to miss," Mika replied with a smirk, her fingers working with practiced precision. "Sound carries in these forests, especially the sounds of collapsing ravines and dying horses. Honestly, I'm surprised the entire kingdom didn't hear you blundering about."
Nari's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "We were at least half a day's ride from any established path. No patrol would have been in the area by chance."
