Nate's eyes fluttered open to the sound of distant commotion. The muffled noise of shuffling feet, grunts, and the metallic clang of chains echoed through the air, forcing him out of the light sleep he had fallen into. The cold morning air seeped into the tent, carrying with it the scent of dirt.
He sat up slowly, listening.
Outside, voices overlapped in urgency. Movement was everywhere. The once-quiet camp had turned into a hive of activity, men shouting commands as beasts roared in distress. The familiar sound of chains dragging across the ground sent a sharp unease through his chest.
By the time Nate stepped outside, the scene before him was already unfolding.
People were awake, some still groggy from sleep, others fully alert as they prepared for whatever was coming. The hunters, the kingsmen, even the lesser nobles—all were working in unison, dragging the captured beasts toward the dark abyss at the center of the camp.
The creatures resisted.
