Troubles in the wood

You question why Indra brought a walking stick when you have a horse but she dodges the question and slips it into a holster across her shoulders. Whatever doubts you harbored fade as your companions pleasant warmth sinks into your back. Regardless of the complications to your situation, it was good to have company. Aegis manages your combined weight with minimal difficulty and you are fast approaching the Victory Road when your companion motions for you to stop. Holding a finger to her lips and hopping silently off the horse, Indra kneels to the ground, positioning her cloak so you can't see what she's doing. After a moment she rises, frantically pointing back the way you came and deftly mounting Aegis.

Confused, you turn around and set off at a trot through the wood back the way you'd come from. Several minutes of quick riding later and Indra breaths a sigh of relief, "the demons were watching the road." You spin in alarm and she raises her hand placatingly, "I don't think they noticed us. I used magic to detect them, they'd have to sense us through more conventional means."

"How did they get so far? I thought demons were-"

"Limited by their summoning range, yes. I'm unsure how they moved so far away from the abbey. It's possible their summoner is pursuing you." She bites her lip, breathtakingly beautiful despite the situation, "We'll have to find another way around."

The lusty haze you'd had since waking up finally vanished, cleared by the very real danger to yourself and your offspring, "Do you know another way?"

Indra shakes her head but answers, "Yes... technically. I know the fastest direction but it's not exactly safe to trail blaze in the Blauwalt, especially after dark. I'm wondering if we should double back and risk the Splinter Road. It would be safer... I think."