The road to Lakeshire followed a well traveled merchant route, which meant more traffic than they had encountered since leaving the waystation. Wagons loaded with autumn harvest goods. Traders hauling winter provisions. Families relocating before the season made travel difficult. The constant flow of people created a different kind of journey. Less solitary, more socially complex.
On their third day back on the merchant route, they encountered an unexpected problem.
A wagon had broken an axle in the middle of the road, creating a bottleneck as other travelers tried to navigate around it. The wagon's owners, a family of four, looked exhausted and overwhelmed. Trying to unload heavy goods while simultaneously attempting to repair the damage.
"We should help," Aria said immediately.
"We do not know anything about wagon repair," Kaelan pointed out.
"But we have strong backs and time," Liora said, already moving toward the family. "That counts for something."
