The way back took forever.
Crows called from the branches overhead. He could hear them but not see them. At times their voices sounded close enough to touch.
Then something shifted to his left.
Not a bird.
Ludwig raised the compass at once, pale light cutting through the trees. He kept the shadow kitten secure against his chest.
"Fuck," a man said, throwing an arm over his eyes.
"Show me your papers," Ludwig said.
"I don't have any, mi'lord." The man looked away, edging backward. "I lost my way. Took a wrong turn. The fog—"
"There was no fog."
Silence.
Ludwig lowered the light just enough to see the man clearly. Blood stained the fabric at his ankles. Poorly washed.
"And your companions?"
"I was alone."
The hunting knife at the man's belt shifted as he adjusted his stance.
"You are a poor liar," Ludwig said.
The man tensed.
"Poaching in this forest is prohibited by law," Ludwig continued calmly. "The penalty is death. Were you aware of this?"
"I—I had no choice—"
"That was not the question."
The man turned to run. Ludwig extended his free hand.
The air snapped. A strike of lightning tore through the dark in a single, violent flash. The man collapsed mid-stride, smoke rising faintly from his back. The smell of ozone and sizzling flesh wafted around as silence returned as quickly as it had broken.
Ludwig waited a moment to ensure there would be no movement.
Then he continued toward the cart.
A few dozen steps later, the crows stopped.
Not gradually. Not naturally.
All at once.
Silence.
The kitten weakly mewed.