The next target was a pair of cadets who had chosen to rest near a stream.
They had constructed a small shelter beneath a rocky overhang and established a basic perimeter around their campsite. Their weapons lay within reach, and one of them remained awake while the other rested.
They had made reasonable preparations.
The stream provided water, the rocks offered protection from attacks coming from one direction, and the surrounding trees made it difficult for distant observers to see their campfire.
Unfortunately, the same trees also provided Nero with countless paths of approach.
He circled the campsite once.
Then twice.
He observed the guard's habits, the direction of the breeze, and the distance between the shelter and the nearest trees.
The guard was alert.
Every few moments, he scanned the forest and checked the area around the stream.
Nero waited until the guard looked toward the opposite bank.
A thin veil of Darkness flowed beneath the overhang.
