Hinterland n. 1: a region lying inland from a coast, 2a: a region remote from cities b: a region lying beyond major metropolitan or cultural centers
Quinn sat at the edge of the cliff, looking out at the vast forests sprawling in every direction. In the foothills of the Great Barrier villages were few and far between, and from her current perch it would be easy to forget that she was still technically within Demacia's borders. The pure wilderness could not be more different than Demacia's capital city.
Valor soared beneath her, wheeling and lazily following a flock of smaller birds. He seemed more at home here, away from all human settlements, less tense. But Quinn supposed by now she was too.
The forest was not entirely free of human life, however. A plume of smoke rose from the valley far below her. Her targets.
Finishing the notes on her map, Quinn rolled it efficiently, sheathed it in the spelled leather tube, and stashed it in the roots of a tree. Should her mission go south the other scouts would be able to pick up the trail.
Quinn stretched and whistled to alert Valor that she was on the move. Her other teammate was running late, but she had little use for other help. Her countrywoman would just have to catch up.
A few hours hike later Quinn crouched outside the bandits' camp. Despite the remoteness of the location, the encampment was organized with military discipline. From what she and Valor had seen, watches were on a strict schedule and the group had a clear chain of command. No wonder this particular group had been so successful raiding secluded towns along the length of the border.
The underbrush rustled and Quinn brought up her up in one swift motion. Shyvana emerged from the foliage, expression dark. "Do you truly expect such a thing to even slow me down?"
"You'd have received a friendlier welcome if you'd arrived on time," Quinn replied, trying to keep the bitterness from her voice. Why had Prince Jarvan insisted she have backup? She had never needed it before.
The half-dragon stalked up to Quinn's cover, peering at the orderly group of tents. "So you are to back me up? I will hardly need the help with this lot."
"No, we are to capture the leader alive."
"So I suppose the prince sent me this far from civilization to practice not burning all in my path?" Shyvana snorted, smoke billowing form her nostrils. "Lovely."
Despite her intimidating presence, Shyvana seemed to shrink in on herself.
Quinn sighed. "Perhaps he wanted to teach us both a lesson in teamwork." She paused. "And there is as much to learn away from people as with them."
Shyvana was watching her appraisingly, though Quinn could not tell from her expression how she measured up.
Finally, Shyvana spoke. "Fine, I will clear the rabble. In the rest, I will follow your lead."
Quinn nodded back. And while she felt confident in her and Valor's ability, there was something thrilling about charging into battle with a dragon at her side.