Following the ruthless assault on the village, the man and the serpent slithered away with meticulous precision, erasing any traces of their presence. However, for these seasoned trackers, the man's attempt at concealment was a mere jest. Swiftly, they deciphered his trail and embarked on pursuit.
"Can you maintain the trail at a run?" Kellie proposed, realizing their current pace would prove inadequate against the impending time constraints.
"Yes."
With agility that belied their exhaustion, they sprinted, purposefully restraining their maximum speed to conserve energy. Every five minutes, they halted to regain their breath. After an hour, the lead tracker signaled a pause. The others followed his gaze to the man's tracks and a freshly severed branch.
"He is close."
Inhaling deeply, Kellie discerned the scent of burning wood. "He is burning wood. I believe we are in proximity to his lair. Belinda, any suggestions?"
