Morning light spread across the Silver River Hub.
The freight yards operated smoothly. Workers moved crates with practiced efficiency. Wagons rolled in and out of the loading zones.
But Arthur stood at the eastern gate, watching something else.
Wagons left one by one.
A grain wagon departed alone. Ten minutes later, a timber wagon followed. Then a textile wagon. Then another grain wagon.
All headed the same direction. All spaced apart.
Zack approached, clipboard in hand.
"Morning departures," he reported. "Twelve wagons to the capital so far."
Arthur nodded toward the road.
"Look at the gaps."
Zack watched a lone wagon disappear over the first rise.
"They leave when they're ready."
"Exactly." Arthur turned to face him. "Wagons move separately. Separately means slowly."
---
They walked to the dispatch yard where merchants waited with their loads.
