Zak pulled himself to his feet, groaning at the pain in his legs. He could work a full day in the mine without noticing it, but the twenty mile hike into town to sell his wares always made his legs ache. Probably because he only made the trip two or three times a year. Or it could be he just wasn"t cut out for long walks.
He shook his head and smiled. More likely he just wasn’t as young as he used to be. It was hard to believe he’d be ninety in a few months time. He was still strong and healthy. Barring accidents or serious illness he could expect to stay that way for at least another twenty years. But still… where had all those years gone?
He was tempted to rest a little longer. The sun was warm, the birds were singing, and he had the easiest part of the journey ahead of him. Just
