Story 391: A Message in Blood

The snowstorm had finally subsided by dawn, leaving the forest draped in a suffocating silence. Zara crouched near the edge of their makeshift camp, her sharp gaze sweeping over the battlefield from the night before. Blood stained the snow in wide arcs, already darkened by frost. Her fingers brushed against the hilt of her knife, still slick from the fight.

Davis approached, shivering beneath his jacket. “Tracks lead west,” he reported. “The survivor made it out, just like you said.”

Zara nodded without looking at him. “He’s going back to the King’s outpost.”

“To warn them?”

“To bait them.” She stood, brushing the snow from her knees. “The King won’t retreat; he’ll retaliate. And this time, he’ll send something worse.”

Davis blanched. “The Reapers?”

Zara’s silence was her answer.