Finesh walked away from the group, his movements casual, unhurried. To his teammates, he appeared to be simply finding a private spot to relieve himself.
Kael followed at a distance, his shadow manipulation concealing his presence, his footsteps silent on the moss-covered ground.
Finesh kept walking. Then walking became wandering. Then wandering became circling — a slow, deliberate spiral that was clearly designed to flush out whatever was following him.
After several minutes, Finesh stopped in a small clearing lit by bioluminescent moss. He stood still, his back to Kael, his head slightly tilted.
"You can come out now."
Kael didn't move.
"Come on," Finesh said, his sibilant accent carrying a note of amusement. "I can sense you even in that dark shroud of yours."
Kael's smirk widened. He dropped the shadow concealment and stepped out from behind a massive root, his hands clasped behind his back.
