The journey back to the temporary camp was tense and hurried since they were unsure how many, or if any, of their poisoned allies were still alive.
The third pair, who had returned empty-handed and were likely frustrated by their lack of success, offered to use their own contracts as mounts for everyone and pushed them to the limit, even at the expense of their contracts not being at peak fighting condition for a while.
Kain could tell they were desperate to prove their usefulness so didn't refuse. After all, his contracts could rest while they made their way back to the others as quickly as possible.
The beasts galloped across the desert terrain with impressive speed, kicking up a trail of dust. Kain felt the tension in the air, the desperation of their comrades fueling their determination to reach the camp as quickly as possible. Even the typically cold Serena was gripping the reins a little too tightly in tension and worry.
