The forest fell into an uneasy silence after the mercenary's voice echoed between the towering trees. The gentle songs of birds that had accompanied the caravan since dawn had vanished completely, leaving behind only the whisper of the morning breeze weaving its way through the dense canopy overhead. Shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the overlapping branches, scattering patches of light across the narrow woodland road, while the horses pawed nervously at the ground, their ears flicking restlessly as though they too sensed unseen eyes watching from the shadows.
For several long heartbeats...
Nothing happened.
The mercenaries remained in formation around the carriage, every hand resting firmly upon the hilt of a weapon while cautious eyes swept relentlessly across the surrounding woodland.
Then...
A loud, mocking laugh suddenly rang out from somewhere within the trees.
It was quickly followed by another.
And another.
