9th day, 3rd ride, March, 1372 DR
Around mid-night, Abel stopped walking, halting our caravan. Both of them told me of wing-beats in the distance. We moved off the road and turned our attention to the sky. We saw what I presumed to be Zandos on his damned angry chicken. Roland sat down, staring at the ground in resigned shellshock, while Zandos circled overhead.
We argued the merits of moving along the river or through the woods. I opted that in all likelihood Zandos was slowing us down, knowing that time wasn’t on our side, hoping that we would be felled by fatigue rather than have troops catch up with us. We decided to move along the path instead of on it, to minimise our exposure while maximising speed and ease. Damn that mage!
Before dawn we found ourselves walking, single file, along the road. After a couple of hours we saw the first plumes of smoke rise up between the trees and soon we saw Eagle’s Eerie, the city wall, as well as the Constable’s Tower. At the nearest gate we sent a messenger to fetch Thorim. As we crossed the ford I started undoing the straps and buttons of my armour, preparing for the welcoming comfort of the Teshford Arms.
The welcome comfort was Olavia telling us we were 2 days late with our room pay. I paid her enough for another week, then we were suppied with food and a hot bath. Afterwards, Thorim came and we talked about our findings.
After Thorim left Abel retired. I wanted to warm up more and enjoy a good drink, thinking of the twenty-four gold I would be picking up the next day. I was woken three hours later after nodding off.
