Interesting times

The cart's wheels creaked as they rolled down the dirt road that served as Milbourne's main thoroughfare. Pebbles cracked and popped underneath the burden of their weight. Salem gave a nod to anyone he passed as he steered his way through town. It made him glad to return here, and doing so brought back pleasant memories of shared meals by the fire and evening patrols. He longed for that familiar fireplace, and for the family, he made near it. He had just dropped Niamh off at the Baron of Mutton to see if a couple of Rovers could still get a good meal and a hot bath there these days, but he had business to attend to before he could relax. Then it would be stew, a pipe, maybe some ale by that fire, and hopefully, a little rest before they had to continue on to the Redoubt at first light.

Finally, at his destination, Salem brought the cart to a stop and stepped down. He pulled out an apple to feed the Chesnut draft horse that had shouldered the work of dragging their cargo, and them all this way. After he gave her a few pats he made his way around the back to inspect his cargo. He pulled off the tarp to reveal a pile of raw ore. There were new allies to arm and armor, and this ore and Carman's hammer would see this mission done.