The elven trail through the forest was easy to follow. Too easy.
Grim knelt beside a muddy footprint and traced its edges with his finger. Deep impressions in the soft earth. The weight of shackled prisoners and their guards pressing into rain-soaked ground.
"They're not trying to hide," Captain Wei observed.
"Arrogance," Sergeant Liu spat. "They think they won't be caught."
Grim studied the print more carefully. The depth suggested it hadn't been too long. The rain had softened the edges but hadn't yet filled the depression completely.
"Two hours ahead," he said. "Maybe less."
Blood stained the leaves of nearby bushes. Dark red drops that hadn't been completely washed away by the rain. Someone was bleeding badly enough to leave a trail.
Grim's jaw tightened. Every drop of blood fueled the cold fury building in his chest. The elves would pay for every wound inflicted on his people.
