CHAPTER SIX
His smith’s hammer tied off at his belt and his war hammer resting against his shoulder as he walked, Thomas traveled eastward, his backpack filled to its brim. The collective weight of his pack was a bit much to carry at the journey’s outset, but it lightened, for better and worse, with each passing meal.
Continuing along the queen’s road, Thomas kept a good pace, taking only a few small breaks to rest and drink some water. He cursed himself at having brought only one waterskin, but upon further reflection during his walk that first day, he figured an additional full waterskin would make him off-balanced. He decided to purchase a second waterskin once his backpack lightened a bit. As it was, he took every opportunity he got to gather water, from streams and ponds he encounte
