Marcus let out a disappointed sigh.
"I questioned more than twenty people, but none of them knew from which area of the forest and hills they come from."
Aisha nodded.
"The stories are all similar. They appear suddenly, rob travelers, and vanish into the forest before anyone can organize a pursuit."
Eliana folded her arms thoughtfully.
"Still, we did learn something useful."
Everyone turned toward her curiously.
"The attacks aren't completely random."
She pointed toward a rough map of the surrounding area that had been drawn on the ground with a stick.
"Most robberies happen along these trade routes."
She marked several narrow roads leading through the forest.
"According to the villagers, merchants and travelers passing through these paths are attacked every few weeks, almost always after dark. But they only attacks weak travelers. They never attack too rich people."
Seraphina crouched beside the map.
"I heard the same."
