Roan only had a small bit of his pottage when Dotta sent Glenn out for a moment. He tensed a little, sensing the woman had some words for him. She took a moment to ensure he’d feel guilty later, which left him with some mixed feelings. She didn’t think she was just going to ditch him, did she?

He finished the last of his food as Dotty made her offer to give them a little food. Thinking it over, Roan figured that it would probably last them to the next town over, if he remembered correctly. “Well, I couldn’t ask for more! The support is very welcome,” he said as he stood, draining the last of his ale. Taking to the door, he said, “I’m going to give Glenn a hand or two with that firewood.” With that, he slipped out the door, hoping Dotty would whip up their rations while they worked. Roan was eager to get moving again, the tantalizing treasure awaiting him putting a healthy spring in his step.

Bumping into Glenn a few feet from the door, he tapped him on the shoulder as he passed, requesting, “Hey, don’t forget to grab your money before we leave.” Shuffling off in the direction Glenn had come from, he ran through a list in his head. If they didn’t have to worry about food, it would make it a little easier to get what they needed. Roan made a short list: skins for something to drink, a couple of cloaks so they didn’t get soaked in the rain, a knife that could cut more than fruit and bread, rope was always handy. He walked a little aimlessly as he crunched numbers in his head, before finally stumbling over the firewood pile, tripping a little, catching himself before he face planted. Brushing himself off, he grabbed a couple pieces, turning to head back, mind still buzzing. Returning to the house, he deposited the firewood, before dusting his hands off, satisfied with doing the bare minimum.