Dawn crept over Ironford in a dim slow glow The forge fires still flickered but weaker now as blacksmiths had finally rested during the night Dust floated in the cold morning air Kane rose before most of the caravan had stirred His body felt heavy from the sleepless night but his mind was sharp

He touched the wooden cylinder again The warning rang in his head Leave at dawn Someone is watching you He scanned the square discreetly A few early workers moved near the forges A woman swept coal dust from a doorway A pair of young boys carried buckets of water No suspicious eyes that he could see

But danger rarely announced itself

Kane packed his wagon quietly moving everything with the calm focus of someone who had already chosen a path He loaded his herbs rope coils and ridge leaves secured the repaired wheel and prepared the reins His horse sensed the tension stamping lightly against the ground

Brann’s voice carried faintly from the sleeping area further down the square but he was not awake yet The caravan would gather in another hour Kane had little time

As he tightened the last strap footsteps approached Kane looked up sharply His pulse spiked but relaxed when he saw Javin the hunter walking toward him carrying a small leather pouch

Leaving early Javin asked his tone neutral but his eyes observant

Kane hesitated then nodded I have reason to move before the others

Javin handed him the pouch Take this Dried ridge meat It keeps well and will help on the road if you plan to travel alone

Kane accepted slowly Why give this to me

Javin shrugged My debt from earlier is not finished You saved a wagon in the fog and people notice that I also heard whispers about Guild trouble best to be ahead of them not behind

Kane’s eyes widened slightly You heard

Javin gave a single nod not revealing details Then he said Roads are quiet for the first hour after dawn If you move now you will have distance before the caravan catches up or before anyone begins asking questions

Kane tied the pouch to his belt Thank you

Javin stepped close his voice low If you see someone wearing a pine tree symbol ask no questions and listen They know more than most They keep their warnings honest Kane froze The pine tree symbol the same as on the note

Javin stepped back tapping the brim of his worn hat Take care young trader

He walked away blending into the shadows of Ironford leaving Kane alone with more questions but also a growing sense of direction Someone was trying to help him Someone connected to his father

Kane climbed onto his wagon and exhaled The world held too many secrets but he would uncover them step by step The crate of frostroot the Guild’s patrols the mountain goat emblem the pine tree mark It all connected even if he could not see the full shape yet

He guided the horse gently Come on girl We leave now

The wagon rolled out of Ironford quietly The sound of Ironford’s forges faded behind him replaced by the soft morning wind The road stretched before him empty still untouched by caravan traffic Kane felt both exposed and free

As he traveled the valley brightened The river glistened in the distance Birds stirred along branches and the early air held a crisp powerful freshness The path forked ahead one trail leading toward the western plains the other climbing slowly toward the foothills Kane chose the foothill road staying closer to the ridge line where trees could offer cover

Twenty minutes passed with no sign of pursuit Kane began to relax slightly letting the steady sound of the wagon wheels ground him But as he rounded a bend he noticed fresh tracks in the dirt deep impressions from a heavy wagon

Someone had passed before dawn

He slowed the horse studying the tracks The wheel marks were wider than his and curves in the dirt showed weight The tracks moved in the same direction he traveled Someone had taken the foothill road early

He followed cautiously and soon found another clue A piece of torn cloth caught on a bush pale green with a stitched pattern of three small curved branches Kane recognized it from somewhere

Pine tree branches

His pulse quickened He scanned the sides of the trail until he found shoe prints leading into the trees Further in he found a stone deliberately placed in the center of the narrow path On top of it rested another small wooden cylinder nearly identical to the first

Kane approached with caution He picked it up and opened it Inside lay a short message

Do not follow the main road Bandits wait ahead They expect the caravan Take the hunters trail to the ridge stream Follow the water north Someone will meet you

No name No sign Just the same pine tree mark

Kane breathed slowly The message was precise clear and possibly life saving But following it meant abandoning the caravan’s chosen route entirely It meant stepping deeper into uncertainty

Still the caravan faced bandits and the Guild Their dangers were known The unknown seemed almost safer Kane climbed back onto his wagon and turned it toward the narrow hunters trail barely visible under fallen leaves The horse hesitated but Kane guided her with steady hands

The trail curved through tall pines heavy with morning dew The smell of resin filled the air Birds chirped cautiously The wagon wheels crunched through underbrush Kane followed the thin path until he heard the faint sound of running water and saw the ridge stream glimmering between rocks

He followed the stream north just as the message instructed Water flowed quietly yet confidently guiding him like a silent companion

After half an hour the trees opened into a small clearing Sunlight filtered through A single figure stood waiting wearing a cloak of mottled green and brown blending with the forest around him His face shadowed but his voice even

You are Kane the merchant from the crossroads

Kane’s breath froze Who are you

The figure stepped forward slowly revealing a pine tree emblem stitched onto his cloak The exact symbol from the warning notes

He spoke calmly but with weight in every word I am a friend of your father And if you want to stay alive you must hear what I am about to tell you