[This post is from Phelan’s point of view.]
“It will certainly give us an element of surprise,” Phelan said, leading his horse into the lee of the trees. It wouldn’t be much protection from the rain and damp, but if the wind kicked back up, the creature would at least have a little shelter against that. “You didn’t risk a fire,” he observed, looking at the scouts.
The second scout shook his head. “No. We were worried less about the light and more that they’d smell the woodsmoke. It’s been a long night.”
“No doubt,” Phelan said. “Don’t worry. This should be the home stretch.”
The second scout looked at him strangely, frowning. “I don’t follow.”
“That’s all right,” Thom said with a faint smile as Marin helped him down from his horse’s back. “Most of us don’t. What he means is that if this works, we’ll be safe to light a fire in the next few hours.”
“Few hours,” the first scout echoed, blinking as he looked between them. “That quickly? You plan to move that quickly?”
Matt nodded. “The faster we move, the less chance of them figuring out we’re here and being able to counter us.”
The two scouts exchanged looks. The second swallowed hard. “Damn,” he breathed. “You are as bold as he was.”
Matt stared at them for a few seconds, then shook his head, collecting his mount and Hecate’s. “No,” he said, a note of finality to his voice. “I’m bolder.”
