The soft murmur of the forest surrounded the small group as they moved through the dense underbrush. The air was damp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves. Selyna led the way, her movements silent as a shadow. Behind her, a trio of hand-picked scouts followed at a cautious distance, their eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
"Mercenaries raiding border villages,"
Selyna thought, gripping the hilt of her dagger.
"Could be a straightforward operation, but it smells like a setup."
She crouched low near a ridge overlooking a clearing. Below, the mercenary camp sprawled in a haphazard circle of tents and makeshift barricades. Fires crackled in iron pits, casting flickering shadows over the armored figures patrolling the perimeter.
Selyna gestured to one of the scouts, a wiry man with sharp eyes. He nodded and began to climb a nearby tree for a better vantage point. The others waited silently, their breathing steady but tense.
