How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2)

the start, she would have served her people more fruitfully than if she'd slayed a hundred more Wuffs.
She focused on the return journey. Time was of the essence. The longer she and Mau remained in the field, far from Fae territory, the more she would miss out on. Unfortunately, she could not provide the aid that she had sought—the aid she had promised her father. But upon her return, she would at least provide her skill with the bow. Day after day, she'd continue taking her place atop the walls of the Trading Center, striking down the enemies of her people—and she'd continue doing it until the threat was neutralized, or until she could no longer draw her weapon.
Things will work out, began Mau, some miles from the mountainside. You'll see. I know the dark army is recovering. They'll do their worst. But they don't have fighters like the two of us. The Fae are tough—they'll handle the threat and defend the territory. And we'll be right there beside them.
Minx appreciated the Faelyr's attempts at support, but couldn't help but sneer. Sure, but two fighters can't win an entire war, Mau. Our people are going to be severely outnumbered. We only won the last time because the dragons decided to help. If they hadn't shown up, we probably would have perished. And I suppose that's what awaits us this time. We'll fight for as long as we can, but in the end there's only so much we can do...
The pair traveled for several miles, stopping in a wide swath of woods near midday. Pummeled by equal parts heartache and fatigue, Minx led Strider into the woods and leashed him to a tree. Then, joining Mau in the boughs of said tree, she tried to get some rest.
Some sleep will help us get our heads straight. It's a shame Kaleb decided to be a jerk; he could've put us up in a pretty nice room back at the mountain instead of this. The Faelyr snuggled close to her, sharing her warmth.
I don't want to think about him anymore, replied Minx. It was ridiculous to think I could trust him. I don't know what I saw in him before. Today, he was like a completely different person... She rifled through their pack and withdrew their bag of rations. The pair nibbled on the last of their stored food, but found there wasn't enough to conquer their great hunger. The handfuls of preserved food barely took the edge off their appetites, and the prospect of riding another three days before enjoying a proper meal struck Minx as grueling. This is the last of the food. Enjoy it... Unless I can find something to hunt, we're going to have to go without for awhile.
Sleep came for them both, but it was thin and troubled—anything but restful. The duo dozed in the treetops until nearly nightfall, awakening multiple times over the course of hours. The area was peaceful, populated only by songbirds and curious insects. Minx knew that this makeshift camp of theirs would be the safest of the return journey. The closer they got to Fae territory, and to the roving warriors who loitered there, the more dangerous their accommodations would become.
Moonrise saw them stealing across the plains toward Pandling Grounds, and they covered a good distance without encountering hostilities. They kept to the edges of forests where possible, monitored far-off camps of warriors and did their best to avoid detection by such parties. Here and there, small groups of nomads could be found in the hills and plains. Some appeared perfectly harmless, whereas others seemed to be volatile Wuff deserters. Minx decided to ride as fast as she could past all of them, not wishing to slow down and take a risk.
The road was long, and the closer they got to their destination, the busier the field became. It was soon obvious that they would have more trouble re-entering the territory than they'd had leaving it. Torrent's forces were indeed growing, and small mobs littered vast swaths of open plain everywhere they looked. Where their trip to the Talon Range had been mostly uneventful, their return to Pandling Grounds would see them encountering dangerous raiding parties in far higher numbers than previously. Clusters of dark warriors shambled through woods and flatlands alike, itching for combat, and it was only because of Minx's reliable mount that they avoided being ambushed by the savage footmen as they skirted the borders of a dense forest. Krah, Wuffs and Plurn were fast—but they weren't fast enough to keep up with Strider.
Finally, in the early hours of the morning, they met with considerable trouble.
The stallion, exhausted for the breakneck pace of their journey, required a brief rest. Minx brought the horse to a small stream and dismounted, stretching her sore limbs and letting her hair down. The three of them drank the cool water, and as hunger proved incessant, the Fae huntress considered going on a hunt for something to eat. You think there are any animals around here? Any prey that the Wuffs haven't gotten to already?
Somehow, I doubt it. These monsters have destroyed so much land. I wouldn't be surprised if they went through the woods hunting animals for mere sport. But if you think you can rummage up something, be my guest. I'm starving, and I don't know how much longer I can keep up this pace without some food in my stomach. Mau remained with the horse while Minx sized up the nearby woods.
Tell you what. I'll poke around beyond the treeline and see what we have to work with. If there are no recent signs of game, we'll keep pressing on. Even some berries, some wild roots... I'll take anything I can get my hands on. Minx loaded up her bow and started quietly into the woods.
The close-grown trees and the occasional dirt paths winding between them showcased no signs of recent animal life. She studied the soil, looking for tracks and droppings,