They walked for a while without much conversation afterwards. The path curved gently between the ancient trees, passing glowing mushrooms clustered along roots, shallow streams running across smooth stones, and strange flowers that closed their petals as the group approached.
Birds called from somewhere high above, though Elion could not see them, and once or twice, he caught movement in the distant brush, vanishing before he could identify what it was.
The retainers had gone quiet.
Especially Peter.
Alexander walked near the front with the elf commander, his expression serious, occasionally asking about patrol patterns, demon sightings, and the condition of the forward camp.
It was strange how quickly Haven already felt so far away.
