Shadowed Threats

Seth observed his men, lined up before him, their faces marked by fatigue and anticipation. The forest atmosphere, where the pale morning light struggled to break through the thick branches, added to the palpable tension. The calm before the storm.

"They're fast, but far from invincible," Seth declared in a confident voice. His eyes scanned every face. "We'll take them by surprise. Our scouts will go ahead to set traps and observe their movements. As soon as they show the slightest weakness, we strike. No rushing."

A murmur passed through the group. Rohan, a seasoned veteran, nodded, convinced. "We'll get them. They don't know what's coming."

Gran, a young soldier, nervously stepped forward. "What if there are more of them than we expected?" His voice wavered, fear evident. "Last time, they caught us off guard..."