Knowing that those who set the trap were obviously versed in magic, you decide that the nexus is a bad idea. Without waiting for assent you take the lead and set off into the night. The others fall in behind you quickly, trusting to your excellent night vision to guide the party. Knowing the signal spell would give the caster a concrete point to start their hunt from, you put priority on distance and set a brisk pace through the dark. The nightmare whinny echoes through the night again, but you start to get an idea of distance and direction this time. Assuming the source of the sound is some kind of horse, you have a good head start.

Not worrying about noise or a trail, you trek about two miles before taking stock again. It’s hard to listen over the sound of the party panting, but you don’t hear anything. Mal’s ears are swiveling in all directions, but he eventually gives you a head shake. It looks like you’ve made a clean break with your pursuit. It’s too early to relax, depending on how well they see in the dark, they may already be tracking you. It’s time to start masking your steps. You wave Iitria over and show her the runes for a lightfoot spell. The girl helps you make enough for the whole party, and you quickly enchant everyone's feet. This won’t hide your trail completely, and you’ll still have to watch where you step, but you can keep a good pace without leaving anything obvious behind. In other words, the pursuit should have to slow down while you can keep hoofing it. Another terrifying whinny from closer than before makes you regret your mental choice of euphemism as the party begins another dash through the dark.

Another two miles and you need to recharge the spells on everyone’s feet. Everyone is a little winded now, the two armor wearing members of the party breathing heavily. Mal’s ears swivel towards another whinny.

“We’ve got a few miles on them now. They’re definitely on our trail, though. I’d put them about a mile from the tree.” The Nekon reports. No one else in the party has such fine hearing, so you’ll have to take his word for it. If your pursuit is mounted, you may still be caught at that distance. It’s time to start focusing on stealth and saving energy in case of a fight. After recharging the spells, the party starts taking pains to eradicate their trail and move quietly.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Nobody speaks for a long while, your pace is much slower, but between the spells and care in travel, you are confident that you will be hard to track. Iitria is having a little trouble moving without leaving sign, but Rip and Horton trailing her are picking up the slack and erasing tracks. Mal has resumed his usual spot in the lead now, listening for anything ahead as you direct him through the dark. Lyrrica periodically leaves a drop of scent baffling potion behind in case you are being tracked by smell. Everyone is tense as you listen for the next whinny.

When it comes, Mal holds up his fist in the common sign to get down and be quiet. You crouch next to him, watching his ears swivel and note that his breath quickens a little at the next whinny.

“The bastard’s astride us!” He hisses in his helmet. “He ditched the trail and is moving fast along the ridgeline parallel.”

“Makes sense, there’s only one place a group of sentients could be going.” Lyrrica chimes in.

“He’s making to get between us and the town.” Horton says.

Lyrrica and Horton are correct, the only place a group of adventurers could be going is the safety of the town's walls. There is no point in your pursuit worrying about tracking you precisely when he knows exactly where you’re going. Worse, there’s only two ways across the river to get to town, and whatever it is won’t have to guess at which you’ll be using. Hostile goblins nest at the ford. Leaving the bridge the only quick option. Another whinny sounds through the night.

“He’ll beat us there at that pace, even if we abandoned stealth.” Mal says.

“It’s a pretty cool night, won’t be too many goblins out.” Rip offers. It’s true enough, goblins dislike any sort of chill.

Should you try and sneak by the goblin nest? Or face a certain confrontation at the bridge?