"Yes, we treated a man with severe poisoning yesterday," the head nurse confirmed, her voice respectful. "He left this morning with a young blonde woman and several companions."

"How many companions?"

"Maybe eight or nine people total. They looked like they'd been through hell, but they were all walking when they left."

"Which direction did they go?"

"North, toward the forest roads."

I thanked her and mounted my horse, signaling Tobias and Kane to follow, together with reinforcement that I ...