After that, there was a lengthy pause, during which his words began to sink in. Everyone in the group exchanged a collective glance, and an unspoken understanding was communicated.
The isolated location and the low probability that the individuals in question were either travelers or villagers all pointed toward the same unsettling conclusion.
"Most likely Frantian soldiers," Garrett stated, his words leaving a chill in the air, much like the gusts of wind sweeping across the frozen river in the vicinity.
The subsequent hush was thick with tense anticipation, and the only sounds that broke it were the ones made by the surrounding vegetation to the howls of the wind. They looked at each other in the firelight, their expressions ranging from shock to resolve as the reality of their situation became abundantly clear. Their eyes met.
The five individuals were all feeling a palpable sense of tension as a direct result of his discovery's implications. After a while, the buoyant mood prevalent earlier was replaced by one marked by caution and uncertainty.
Erik was the first to break what had become an awkward hush that had descended upon them.
"We should avoid them," he suggested, his tone reflecting his usual calm demeanor, unaffected by the realization that had just been revealed.
"There's no reason to put ourselves in harm's way. We can go in the opposite direction and take a detour," he added. His words were received with a variety of responses from those around him. Ava and Garret nodded in agreement, the expressions on their faces revealing that they were equally anxious.
They were fighters, to be sure, but the prospect of engaging in a conflict that wasn't necessary wasn't appealing to them.
On the other hand, Alexia maintained a contrary point of view. Her eyes glowed with fierce determination, and her posture was as stiff as a fighter getting ready for battle. She rebutted by asking, "Why not just take them out? It is an opportunity to deal a blow to the Frantians, even though it may be risky."
After giving it some thought, the woman turned to Garrett and asked, with a determined look in her eyes as she continued to stare at him, "How many people do you think we are dealing with based on your estimate?"
Garrett gave it some thought for a while, examining the footprints in the snow in his head.
"Four," he responded, his voice remaining unruffled despite the nature of their situation.
"At the very least, that's what the tracks seem to suggest." The moment there was silence after his words, it was as if the reality of their situation had dawned on them all at once.
Their words sparked a conversation between the three of them. Erik argued against starting a fight. He restated his position regarding the danger that was involved while emphasizing the significance of their primary objective.
After all, it was their responsibility to get to the Lumisgrove, and they should avoid getting into skirmishes that could put them in danger of getting hurt and make their journey more difficult.
On the other hand, Alexia was not one to give up easily. She argued her point while displaying intense resolve in her eyes. They were not merely adventurers; instead, they were warriors from their village.
There was value in seizing opportunities, removing potential dangers, and protecting their home, even though it was in the middle of territory controlled by the enemy.
The discussion continued, with each side presenting their unique point of view and ideology in turn.
Marcus sat there and listened intently, his eyes darting from one of his companions to the next as they debated a topic, his mind working to find the right balance between being cautious and taking action.
Both Ava and Garret chose to maintain their silence for the most part, participating in the discussion on occasion but limiting their interventions as much as possible to avoid further problems.
Even though Alexia was the group's leader, not everything was decided solely by her. The choice was made as the situation's intensity began to lessen, and the discussion began to wind down. Ultimately, the group followed Erik's recommendation, even though Alexia's argument was persuasive.
It was a tough sell, and Alexia didn't bother to hide her dissatisfaction; her blazing gaze made it clear that she was thinking something entirely different. Despite this, she did not challenge the decision in any way.
As they prepared to continue, the atmosphere was thick with words that were not spoken. Their journey was not even close to being half done, and with this newly discovered danger lurking nearby, the path they were taking had become more dangerous.
However, they were all in agreement with the choice that they had made, and as a result, they formed a cohesive unit that was ready to tackle any challenge that lay in wait for them. While their path would allow them to sidestep the soldiers for the time being, the chilly river served as a reminder of the threats beyond their village.
The group carefully maneuvered away from the icy river, with Garrett taking the initiative to lead the way to get out of the way of the danger that lay ahead.
It was a decision that was made with the knowledge that, given their quest, they were at a disadvantage against four potential Frantian soldiers, and it was determined that discretion would be the better part of valor in this particular situation.
As they proceeded further into the forest that had been blanketed in frost, the fresh blanket of snow served to muffle the sound of their steps.
Due to the canopy above, a labyrinth of intertwined branches and conifers crystallized in their snowy shroud; the forest was transformed into an intricate network of snow tunnels and open clearings. This protected them from the falling snow.
Following in their wake, the once lively river had been reduced to a distant memory, and the majestic stillness of a winter forest stood in its place. The journey was difficult because they had to walk on fresh snow, making a distinct path through the whiteout that anyone else could follow in their footsteps.
However, they did not change their pace, as the pressing nature of their predicament drove them forward.
As they continued to walk, the terrain gradually altered under their feet as they covered more kilometers. Large stretches of snow-covered meadows were now visible as the dense concentration of trees started to thin out and give way to the subdued light of a partly cloud-obscured sun.
A symphony of crunching snow under their boots and the soft whispers of the forest all around them accompanied each step that they took.
The monotony of the white plains was suddenly broken when the terrain began to ascend gradually—amid the open space stood out like a natural landmark. This rocky outcrop had been partially concealed by the persistent snowfall of the winter.
The craggy structure was adorned with complex formations of icicle-covered rocks, which had been molded over time by the tenacious elements. It looked like a jagged, ice-covered castle standing all by itself in the middle of the winter plain when viewed from a distance.
Garrett halted briefly to take in the startling difference in the surrounding environment. Despite the peril they were attempting to avoid, there was a glimmer of amazement in his eyes for a brief moment.
After that, they stopped to gather and continued on their way, circumnavigating the formidable natural structure with great care. They had to exert more effort as they rerouted their path to get around the stony formation because the snow in this area was deeper.
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