Ambush Lessons

Crack—

A boot snapped a dead branch. The sound echoed through the dark woods as the howling wind whipped up dust and sent it rattling against the twisted, misshapen trees.

After leaving Dusk Snow Prison, Xia Lun had led Renee west. It was now their third day on the Pilgrimage. He had spent those three days searching for signs of people so they could get horses for the journey, but had found nothing.

Fortunately, both of them had Darkvision and were immune to the darkness's erosion of their sanity, so they had no need for Blood Wax to light their way.

Under cover of darkness, their journey had gone remarkably smoothly. They had encountered no Evil Spirits or enemies they could not avoid. Xia Lun had even begun to feel as though he were simply out for a hike.

If the map was accurate, they were about to reach Serene Valley. After another five hours or so through the dark, he would arrive at its Highest Point and complete the first step of the Endash Quiet Speaker Pilgrimage!

The thought stirred a flicker of anticipation in him. Perhaps once he completed that first step, he would be able to start fires without relying on explosives, torches, or other tools...

Just then, Renee's voice came from behind him, carrying a note of excitement.

"Mm-hm-da-ka!"

Renee had lost her voice and, in theory, could not communicate without Text Sense. But after several days together, Xia Lun had learned some of her "mute language."

"Mm-hm-da-ka" meant "something's up."

Without hesitation, Xia Lun activated Text Sense and flicked his wrist, conjuring his Short Sword.

He narrowed his eyes and slowly scanned the deathly still forest. Coarse stone dust swept along by the wind stung his cheeks, but he saw nothing.

"I found the King's