The last ogre shapes vanish into the trees. Ash drifts over the Long Road, and the broken wagon settles with a creak of splintered wood. Starlight stands near the wreckage, fingers raw around her bow.
Laurel
They ran sooner than I expected. That’s a blessing, for now.
Laurel lowers her bow and eases her shoulders, though her eyes keep moving over the road, the brush, the smoke-thinned ridge.
Starlight Clearbottom
These attacks are becoming common.
Laurel
Too common. The road used to feel open, even at dusk. Now every trip feels like we’re counting shadows.
She glances toward the forest edge where the ogres fled, then back to Starlight’s reddened fingers.
Laurel
Hold still a moment. Your hand is torn. I can bind it before it stiffens.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bind my wounded hand