บท 169: Simple Certainty 

~ HARTH ~

Harth successfully navigated Tarkyn through the forest to her tent which was on the edge of camp.

More than successfully. Easily.

They met no patrols. Hid from no known borders or guards. They slipped into the encampment when most of the Chimera were asleep, and didn't even risk running into anyone.

What the hell was going on?

Tarkyn was troubled—was this the state of Chimeran defense? But Harth assured him it wasn't. But why they'd found no one…

And then as they crept closer to the tent, they passed several others that were empty and cold. No fresh scent. No dying fires. As if some of the Chimera had left or moved. There seemed to be very few on this side of the tent-village at all.

They spoke through the bond for the rest of the trip, even after they reached her tent and bedded down. Even knowing there was no one else close-by.