Slaughter in the Woods [Heroic Fantasy, 406 words]

Good day, everyone. I'm a new, aspiring fantasy writer, with only 2500 words to my name so far, including the 406 words below. I would appreciate a critique of the prologue of my short story below. I am mostly just writing for practice right now, with no intentions of publishing anything for a long while. I'm trying to get a feel for my personal style as I learn the craft. Any feedback will be welcome. Thank you!

Pale moonlight glittered through the thick forest canopy, illuminating the battered bricks of the Mainway Trail, the primary vein of travel and trade connecting the many city-states of Amapur. It was approaching the winter months, as evidenced by the harsh and bitter winds pounding mercilessly into the lone wanderer along the well-worn trail. Gaius pulled his heavy, hooded cloak tight to his body in a vain attempt to shield himself from the unrelenting gale. His dark green eyes stung from the cold, but he ignored the pain and held them open, forging his path ahead while continuously scanning his surroundings for any potential threats.

Gaius knew that danger lurked in these woods, even more so than usual as of late. Many a caravan had met a gruesome end along the Mainway over the last few months. Whatever was haunting the Branchwraith Forest recently seemed to have little trouble handling the merchants and the mercenary guards the caravans typically brought along with them. Travelers had reported on the aftermath of these attacks, their eyes glazed over with horror as they would hesitantly recite the tale. Carriages were toppled over, horses were slaughtered, and goods were taken. Worse was what was apparently being done to the people. They were said to be cut to pieces; limbs, torsos, heads and entrails separated and arranged along the trail in grotesque patterns of blood and offal.

Nobody, not even the powerful Sorcerers Guild, had managed to ascertain the meaning of these seemingly ritualistic massacres. In any case, the slaughter had grounded the local economy to a near halt. Caravans were beginning to move their business away and find new trade routes where they had less chance of being ripped apart. General travel through the area had also greatly slowed, with peasants and nobles alike forced to take alternate paths around the deadly forest. Rightfully frustrated, the Archons of the three nearest city-states – Athenai, Sparticai, and Corinthai – had pooled their resources and offered a king’s reward to whoever could put a stop to the attacks. Despite the massive sum, few had yet been willing to risk their lives for a chance at the bounty. After all, what good is a king’s ransom when your entrails are scattered about the forest floor?

Shaking his head to clear his mind, his shaggy brown hair falling carelessly about his shoulders, Gaius set himself to the task at hand. The bounty would be his, he swore.