The Deepwood thins and the march becomes easier for a time. The distant sound of animal life that usually accompanies the forest is absent here. The noises of the Deepwood are a constant reminder of the ever-present danger, yet somehow this silence is more unnerving. Pressing on, you start to realize why it is so quiet. There are bones on the path ahead, and off to the sides, you can see more bones among the trees. The skeletons of great carnivores along with those of smaller animals litter the area.

With a gesture you set the column on high alert and draw your own weapons. You want to be ready for anything. To their credit, they form up quickly, but any hopes of readiness fade away as you hear the sound of buzzing coming from the trees.

You know the sound all too well. A Burrower swarm. There must be a nest nearby. The flesh boring bugs nearly killed you on the Wire Road to Thrace, you had only survived that encounter by dumping your rations. There is no time to empty your wagons now, only leaving you with a few bad options.

A dark thought rises in your mind that says you could lure the swarm away by sending a squad into the swarm's path to buy the rest time to escape. The alternative would be a fight on the line. Swords and spears will do little to deter the thousands of tiny creatures, but amber fire and the witches might be able to fend them off.

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