The camp remained on edge after the attack. Corliss ordered double watches throughout the night, and Arteja found herself staring into the dying embers of the fire, her spear across her lap. Despite her exhaustion, sleep eluded her.
The attackers' faces lingered in her mind—disciplined, coordinated, and clearly on a mission. This wasn't the work of random bandits or mercenaries. Someone powerful had sent them, and Arteja couldn't shake the feeling that they hadn't seen the last of these ambushes.
At dawn, the camp was already stirring. Corliss gathered the wardens and the noble family for a quick briefing.
"We need to push hard today," Corliss said, her voice firm. "We're too exposed in these woods. Once we reach the outer villages, we can regroup and prepare for what's next. Until then, we don't stop unless absolutely necessary. Understood?"
Arteja and the others nodded.
The noblewoman, Lady Varetha, spoke up, her voice sharp with fear. "You promised us safety! How do we know there won't be another attack?"
Corliss met her gaze without flinching. "There might be. But our job is to make sure you survive it."
Lady Varetha seemed ready to argue but held her tongue, her face pale with worry.
As they set out, Arteja found herself walking beside Lirael again.
"Long day ahead," Lirael said with a sigh, keeping her voice low. "Think we'll run into more of those bastards?"
Arteja glanced at her. "Probably."
Lirael smirked. "Comforting as always, Arteja."
Despite the light tone, Arteja could sense Lirael's unease. They all felt it—the tension in the air, the sense of being watched. It wasn't paranoia. It was instinct.
The group moved quickly, the forest blurring around them as the morning turned to afternoon. Arteja kept her eyes on the trees, her spear ready. The forest was alive with sound—birds, rustling leaves—but none of it felt natural.
Then she saw it. A flicker of movement in the distance.
"Hold," Arteja whispered, raising a hand.
The group froze.
"What is it?" Corliss asked, her voice low.
Arteja didn't answer, her gaze locked on the treeline. A moment later, a low whistle echoed through the woods.
"Ambush!" Corliss shouted.
"Not again." Lirael said.