Adventure of Dagg Nabbitt

Dagg reaches Grayfen’s tree line with his sword sheathed and hat absent. His scraped shoulder burns as he crouches behind ash trunks, watching Caldus limp toward the concealed tollhouse camp.

Six armed men guard wagons, tethered horses, and stacked crates around the tollhouse. Arden Pike, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with iron-gray hair, a trimmed beard, and a dark red cloak, his weathered face marked by a pale scar across one cheek, steps from the doorway.

Caldus raises Dagg’s hat, then turns his maimed side toward the camp. The guards close around him without drawing steel, while Pike studies every injury and the offered proof.

From cover, Dagg sees Pike signal two guards toward the road and another toward the wagons. Caldus remains facing Pike, but the camp’s sudden movement tests whether his oath holds.

Dagg settles behind the ash trunks and unwraps a strip of cloth from his kit. He binds the scraped shoulder firmly, keeping his movements small while the pain burns beneath the pressure.

The camp remains busy below. Arden Pike watches Caldus while Pike's Men spread toward the road and wagons, their attention fixed outward rather than on the trees.

Relaxed resistance makes the first knot linger; Dagg would rather rest than fuss with a wound. Steady Under Watch steadies his hands, and the bandage closes cleanly on the next attempt.

He folds the stained cloth away and lowers himself deeper behind the ash roots. From this concealment, he spots a narrow rear track leading around the tollhouse toward the tethered horses.

No face in the camp turns toward him. Dagg now has a concealed approach behind the tollhouse, while Pike remains occupied with Caldus and the demanded payment.

Dagg remains folded behind the ash trunks, watching without shifting his weight. The concealed track, tethered horses, and tollhouse stay within his measured view.

Relaxed resistance makes the waiting drag; the rancher in him would rather sit quietly at home than endure another tedious watch. Steady Under Watch keeps his breathing even and his attention fixed.

Below, Pike's Men escort Caldus Rime into the tollhouse. Arden Pike remains near the doorway, guarded and suspicious, while the camp settles into a tense imitation of ordinary business.

Time passes beneath the darkening sky. At last, Caldus Rime emerges alone, carrying a heavy leather purse beneath his cloak and limping toward the rear track.

Caldus reaches the ash trees and places the purse on the ground where Dagg can take it. The weight and clink of coin confirm the payment is real, and the concealed exchange is complete.

Behind them, Grayfen’s tollhouse continues to shelter Pike and his guards, unaware that their payment has left the camp. Caldus waits in the shadows for Dagg’s next command.