The rancid rotting stench of two Girox hit Merrick's nostrils, making his stomach twist from the putrid odor. He held his hand over his face, trying to escape the nauseating smell.
They were close, and he could hear their footfalls in the leaves and snow moving toward where he and Carter were hiding.
There was no time to flee, and faced with the possibility of being beaten to death and eaten by the monsters or being discovered and losing their target. Merrick had no choice.
He ordered Carter to the ready.
Through the mind tether, he commanded, [Up on your feet, young paladin, draw your weapon. It's time to take these monsters to task.] Carter observed his commander unsheathe his sword, and the junior knight did the same.
{What about Aaron? Aren't we going to give away our position?}
The vice commander explained.
[Yes, but we have no other alternatives. There will be no trouble tracking him once we finish here. I memorized his scent.]
