To the untrained eye the forest may have appeared deserted, but Daric was being observed. A figure was peering around the trunk of one of the trees, dressed in a flowing green cloak, its hood pulled far enough over to ensure all that was visible was a glimpse of a brown tunic and a pair of armoured gauntlets. It carried an impressive bow, a quiver full of silver-fletched arrows slung over one shoulder. In a sudden movement an arrow was on the bowstring, but Daric was not the target. On the other side of the path a large wolf, its fur as dark as night, was stalking him, but even as it sprung from the ground the arrow found its mark, the wolf's dead body collapsing onto the path.<br/><br/>"Who trespasses in El'thaniel?" the figure called out, another arrow ready, this time pointing it in Daric's direction. "And choose your words carefully, I doubt you can outrun my arrows forever."