Morning… (Cold beer?)

Early in the morning, Wim rose grabbed a bit of food from his pack and mounted his horse. He just wanted to get away from them. He needed to think this through and emotions, mainly anger, was getting in the way of clear thought.

He headed towards the next logging camp he would check things over. He was interested in two things, first what needs they and what they had? He could probably get a cart and haul goods out to them to make more money. Most of the teamsters drove wagons now. The second thing was if they had encountered any natives. He did not know if there was Woodland People, like the Plains People or how close they were coming to the city. He was curious.

While he was at the last logging camp, he had them cut two long oak or ash trees about the width of three fingers with the fingers pointing un the tree (about 2” in diameter) With an axe he cleaned off branches to make poles. One was to be used to make a handle for a paddle for the brewery vat. It was going to be a gift for the Brewmaster for the grand reopening of the Brewery. He would pay a carpenter to make the blade and attach it. The second one, was in case he messed up the first. With a hook it could be used to scale the city wall, climb into a second story window, or board a ship (Thinking 8 to 10’ in length).

The vials kept calling him and what he wanted to do was find a spot in the woods and open a second vial. But, he was worried that everything would go like the night before. He could not understand why he went from a dislike of authority to near disdain. Still the fear of Henrich and his crew following him kept him on the straight and narrow. Henrich’s report would cause enough problems for him.

He stopped at the few logging camps there were and farmsteads checking on needs they had (and could pay for), what goods they made and would be interested in selling, and listening to gossip. He did not bring up the dead, the vials, or Henrich and the investigating party. To make cover for himself and to try to take a bad situation and make it profitable. He did his best to be pleasant. It surprised him when one farm family gave him a dozen eggs, some fresh bread, and a crock of honey.

Wim rode back into town with two poles like a lance, a notebook full of notes, and a stomach full of fear that the guard would arrest him at the gate.