Will left Fern and the cart at the forge with Raya then went ahead to deliver the animals to Arwin.

"Well, you have quite the collection this time Raya,“ said Reha looking over the knives, swords, armour and other gear that they had acquired after the bear attack and the skirmish with the highwaymen.

“We aren't looking for much for this lot. I will take the smaller knives to the orphans” said Raya “ though a new shoe for Flow would be nice.”

“You can have a dozen new shoes if you like” laughed Reha “but on a more serious note I might stash these swords in roof thatching, there might come a time they are needed.”

“Ooh I hope not,” said Raya.

“Me too young one, me too. Is it ok if I work through the rest and pay you as I go?” asked Reha.

“Sure thing, it belongs equally to Arwin, Will and myself but I know they will be fine with the arrangement."

Saffire arrived back from her jobs and ran in to see who was there.

“Raya have you been in town long,”

“No I've just come in.”

“Whose is the horse and cart? Is it the one Arwin told us about? Is that really an eagle in the back? It's huge. Was Will the boy driving the sheep through town just now with the Tungol scholar? He is hansom.” she giggled.

“Yes that is Will, you are well informed Saffire.”

“Can I pat you horse” said Saffire.

“Of course come and meet Flow and I will tell you all about our adventures,” said Raya.

Reha yelled out the door after them “Oi save some stories for me”.

Arwin, Stripe, Sheba, two other pups, Will, Thorn, Willow and Lee all turned up an hour later with a feast.

“I hope you don’t mind Reha we have all invited ourselves to dinner.” announced Arwin smiling.

“Come on in the forge is still hot.”

Raya was pleased to be back with Stripe especially when Arwin said he was ready to stay with her. The friends sat, ate and chatted late into the night.

After the night at the forge, she slept in the wagon cuddled up with Stripe. Will fell asleep in a chair by the forge and came out early in the morning, "Do you think one of the other pups will be for sale?"

"I'm sure they will, and I think a pup is a much better companion than a wolf. It will be cool if you have a dog from the same litter, we can train them together."

Will was stoked.

Arwin was able to sell some of the honey that Raya bought in, but Raya was still forced to deal with Cerebus to sell the rest. This time Reha insisted on accompanying her, along with his biggest hammer. Raya appeared first at the stall and was greeted by his usual leering.

"ah you again."

"Yes, and this time I have bought a friend,"

Reha laid his giant hammer on the bench with a thud. "Just measure out the goods and pay the girl, she is under my care, and you are under my eye. let's get this done."

Funnily enough this time the transaction went smoothly. The honey was measured out and Raya was paid. Cerebus managed to grumble about being ripped off at such a high price, but Raya just smiled and thanked him for his business.

That same morning Will went up and bought one of the last pups from Sheba's litter, though Arwin wouldn't accept more than a few coppers.

"I think that a dog will do you well Will, and it is great to have two at least stay in our crew. They can all have plenty of time as a family learning from their mother as well as developing their individual bonds with their new 'packs'."

Raya made a point of heading to the orphan's patch down by the docks as soon as she had time. She met Mouse, Weasel and Badger in front of the old warehouse that they occupied.

"What's the news on the street" she asked.

"Word is that there is an extra war ship coming into harbor next week, we heard someone ripped off a farm up north, someone tried to burn the outpost at Roanin, a rider came in from Moras-Burg and is staying at the laughing Goat, and the coffers in the palace are running low so taxes are going to be bumped up again" reported Mouse while she patted Stripe.

"Top work as usual and how is everyone?" asked Raya.

"Hungry, the more soldiers on the docks the less scavenging we can do. Weasel and Badger have found a way to get scraps from the castle kitchen," said Mouse.

"Well, I have had a good run, I have bought you some more oats, potatoes, some good stock bones and these” she handed over three daggers which the orphans looked over with wide eyes.

"Thanks Raya they are awesome. What's stock?" asked Badger.

"Do you have a cooking pot?" Raya asked.

When the orphans answered no Raya made them wait and bought back one of their extra pots.

"Guard this with your life, it will feed you better food than raw scraps."

Raya went with them to their home at the back of the warehouse and taught them how to make porridge and to cook stock.

"You can throw in all sorts of veggie scraps and the wild herbs I have taught you about to make delicious soup."

Raya also got Reha to make a couple of small spears to give to the orphans so they could catch fish and possible even rabbits.

"It's good that you keep an eye out for those poor wee buggers I'm sure most of them will make it through because of you and the others that do." said Reha.

"Well, they keep an eye out for me" said Raya and told Reha and Saffire all the news that they had passed on to her.

"Dam Raya, it's good to have a heads up about the taxes, that's some network you are building up. Lucky, they can't tax eggs and vegetables" laughed Reha. "that's over half of our pay these days."

Raya went to investigate the newcomer at the laughing goat on the pretense of selling some herbs to kitchen there. There were a few soldiers drinking at the bar and some locals she recognized. In the corner was a man sitting by himself, she recognized Tindal immediately.

“Hello Tindal.”

“Raya what pleasant surprise. Good to see you made It back, is everyone else ok?” he asked.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Raya filled him in on the events since their last meeting.

“But what brings you here” she asked afterwards.

“Networking mostly. Though I am also looking to find someone to cart some iron from the Bastillon mines to Moras-Burg for a friend of mine, do you think Will would be keen?”

“I'm sure he would be interested, he is probably up at Arwin's, Flow is stabled there and he has parked his cart out the back.” said Raya.

“Well then let's go and find him.” said Tindel getting up from the table.

Tindel and Raya went together to Arwin's. They found Will playing with his puppy, Oatis, out in the stables. After catching up Tindel told Will about his proposal. When will found out how much the job was worth, he did some sums in his head.

“By the time I pay for oats and food for Oatis and Tonic and me there should give a healthy profit for the time involved.”

Tindel was pleased to hear that Will though he could make the trip work. He advised him to ask around town to see if anyone else needed things transported over the mountains to improve his profit margin and also to see if other people were traveling.

“I've traveled over the mountains several times recently and the road is reasonably safe, but it's still there been trouble. Best to travel with a group over the pass where possible, especially because you won't be traveling at speed.” said Tindel.

“Why isn't your friend sending the iron by sea?” asked Will.

“That my friend is a matter of wanting to avoid the eyes of the queen, make sure you don’t talk to widely about your load, no need to pay any extra taxes let alone any extra attention.”

By the end of the week Will had picked up a delivery of fine clothes and an unknown chest to be delivered to Moras-Burg. He also met the young couple that were keen to meet him at the Tungol scholar's village so they could journey over the pass together. Tindel rode with him to the Bastillion mines. Before they left, he advised Will to buy any fresh vegetables that would keep for more than a week.

“You can make a tidy profit, they're always short on fresh food at the mines.”

The journey out to the mines was pleasant, there were no new travelers on the road once it left the main route to Moras-Burg. They reached the great lake that spread out in front of the mines early in the day. Tindel advised him that they would be better to camp for the night and leave early in the morning, that way they would only be away from the horses for a day. They spent a pleasant evening fishing by the lake catching enough for dinner that night and breakfast in the morning. Tonic had a go at fishing which was comical to watch and even less effective than Oatis. His indignation was only eased by a fresh trout that Will threw to him.

In the morning they loaded Wills produce into the guest boat that was tied to a wee jetty. It was more than an hour's row despite the calm morning. As they approached the mountains which rose steeply above the lake Tindel pointed out the guard tower that marked the village from the water. Using it as a bearing they rowed into the valley where the mines burrowed into a iron rich seam at the foot of the mountain. A guard called from the tower.

“State your business at the Bastillion mines.”

Tindal called back “We are here to sell fresh vegetables and to buy iron.”

“Well then you are more than welcome friends.”

They rowed up to the landing where carts of stone were being dumped into the sea slowly pushing out the land available to the small village.

“This place is basically a giant rock any soil they have here has to be bought in or made by composting. They grow some fresh salad but not a lot more. The site was found by a fisherman, he loaded the first iron rich deposits straight into his boat. From there the settlement has slowly grown as more of the lake is filled in by the rock that must be moved to get to the iron stone seam.”

The Guard from the tower met them as they landed.

“Welcome to the Bastillion mines. My name is Tobias, you can set up your produce on the table over there in the courtyard and for the measly price of one of those delicious apples I will tell everyone you are here.”

Will threw Tobias an apple.

“To be honest they would have all found you soon enough, but I will be sure to inform them of the fine quality of your produce. As for the buying of Iron you will be wanting to speak to Pip.” Tobias told them.

“Thank you Tobias, Pip and I go way back. Is he in his office?” asked Tindal.

“He doesn't usually head down the mines to check on things till after lunch so there is a good chance you will find him there,” said Tobias before heading off into the village.

Tindal helped Will set up his stall,

“Make sure you charge at least a third over the price you paid for everything as the minimum if you are to make a profit,” he advised before he headed off into the entrance of the mine.

A minute later he returned with a giant of a man dressed in leather trousers and a linen shirt.

“Will meet Pip, he runs the place.”

“I've come to get first pick of your produce before the rest of the rabble cleans you out.” he said grinning, “then, my friend, we can talk iron.”

Pip bought a bag of apples “on Tobias's recommendation” a sack of potatoes and a bag of oats.

“Thank you Will, now Tindal, let's talk shop.”

Will was kept busy with a steady stream of customers, He was pleased when Frya came waltzing up to his stall.

“It's my favourite traveling poet, are you a vegetable seller now? It would be a waste of your talent,” she said smiling.

“Great to see you made it here, where are the others?” asked Will.

“Tarn is probably talking to your friend in there, he helps keep the books, Dion and the others are down the mine they will be sorry they missed you. It seems like a lifetime since we met on the edge of the Vior with your rustled stock and eclectic bunch of friends. That feast you all prepared for us kept us going all the way here. Did your find a place for all those animals.”

Will filled her in on the story form where they had met. Frya had found herself a job running the main kitchen and bought lots of Wills produce.

“Bring more any time, especially root vegetables and fruit, and you know I'm going to have to give you another hair cut so you look less like a wild man and more like a trader.”

Will laughed “I don’t look that bad do I?"

“Do you know what a comb is? One might help.” she said pulling one from her pocket.

Frya cut Wills hair there and then, in-between customers coming and going. They all knew Frya and joked with her asking if her son had come to visit, to which she told them affectionately to piss off. Tindal and Tarn came out followed by a miner leading a Horse and cart. Tarn laughed when he saw Frya finishing off Wills haircut.

“Last time I saw you two together you were doing just the same thing.”

Will gave Frys the last of the apples and some cabbages as a thanks and loaded a few bags of potatoes and oats back into the boat.

“Is that all you have left? Well done,” said Tindal.

“Basically, free food for the journey to Moras-Burg.”

Tarn helped them load the iron bars into the boat. They weighed more than Wills produced but the boat was made with such loads in mind and sat well in the water. Before they left Pip came to say goodbye and to hand over a small leather satchel that contained the smallest amount of tiny green stones.

“Tarn, Frya and Tindal have told me you could be relied upon and that you had contacts with the Tungol scholars. These stones are of great value to them and it would mean a great deal to me if you could deliver them for me. We don’t find these often in the mines and without the work that the scholars do to them they are just pretty pieces of rock. I don’t even know what they are for, but I suspect it has something to do with gravity because they act differently to other rocks when the moons above us pull strong. I normally deliver them myself but haven't the time to get away this month.”

“It would be an honour to deliver them for you and thanks for hosting us” replied Will.

“You are both welcome back anytime” Pip replied, “now be off with you it’s a log row and that boat is low in the water.”

As they rowed back to the start of the lake Will asked, “What do they need all the iron for its more than I have ever seen I one place.”

“Many things, Will there is trouble coming and it pays to stock up.” was Tindel's vague answer which Will now new better than to question any further.

“How about the stones for the Tungol scholars what do you know about them?”

“That my young friend is something I honestly know nothing about, I've never heard the Tungol or Pip speak of them. It's good to know there are still some mysteries in this world.”

They camped at the head of the lake and woke to a beautiful sunrise reflected on the water.

“I will ride with you as far as the turnoff to the main road.” said Tindel.

Will parted ways with Tindel at the junction carrying on to the Tungol scholar's village. Tindel himself was heading north towards the Ronin. Will made it to the village in good time and sought out Harward.

"Come and park up by my place. I think that two people came into the village yesterday, but I don't have a lot to do with the day-to-day running of the village unless im on the gate. I would love to see Tonic and see how he is developing too." said Harward.

"I will call him in when I spot him, he is up there somewhere I bet he knows where I am. I taught him to grab a rope using the red cloth trick" said Will proudly.

Once Will had parked the cart and rubbed down Flow he headed out to find Charles circling out by the orchards and gardens out the back. asking around he found him in the seed library.

"Will, what great suprise, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit. The cows and sheep are doing well, one of my helpers has really taken to looking after our enlarged flock."

Will told him of his trip to sell food at the mines. "It might be a good market for you and it's not much further than the castles markets, Pip also sent some stones that they said you used, I didn’t talk to Harward about them as I got the feeling that they were a bit of a closed secret of some sort. What are they for? Are you the right person to give them too?"

he pulled out the leather pouch.