“That'll do for now”, Adrian's father, Han, mopped his forehead then tossed his splitting maul onto the back of the wood-mounded wagon. Adrian gathered the last pieces of split oak on the ground and added them to the laden vehicle.
He kicked the thick stump that had provided their bounty, that's all we need?”
“Should be,” Han said,”Added onto what's at the cabin we could last four months if needed.”
Adrian looked around the bare trees; they were far south of the wilderness, but he still got strange feelings sometimes. Winter made him uncomfortable, and it wasn't just the cold.
Maybe it was just the bleak mid-light the gray sky gave off.
“Sure, you get Burley ready, I'll grab the gear.”
Their draft horse, Burley, snorted and stamped his hooves at the sound of his name; Adrian moved to untie the rope that held the horse to an old oak tree. A light breeze started blowing; he tightened his coat and picked at the large knot with numbing fingers.
Once ready, they rolled out of the forest and onto the open grasslands. Burley trotted along while Adrian and Han leaned back for a long ride.
The sky hadn't changed, but the mid-light had darkened noticeably.
“Might have to get a lantern out”, Han said.
Adrian nodded and reached under his seat to pull out the haversack.
He looked up; his father was peering at the darkening horizon. There was a rider in the distance. “I don't know, can't tell from here.”
Minutes rolled by, and the figure got closer. “Hold up, is that...?” Han leaned closer, squinting.
The rider sported a large brown beard and was wrapped in thick, dark robes; his coal-black mount was galloping at full tilt.
He rapidly closed distance with their wagon, and soon reared his horse up, bringing it to a stop.
“Ben! That you?” Han waved and stood up, bracing himself against the rocking wagon.
The rider, Ben, broke into a large smile and waved back, “ Heya, Han!”
“What's the news, Ben?” Han said.
“Conten's mare is going into labor!”
Han cursed, “ How long ago?”
Han cursed again,“Then I'll have to hurry.” He turned to Adrian, “ Wasn't expecting that for several days at least. The cabin's yours tonight; don't burn it down. I'll be back in the morning”
Adrian looked at the sky,” What if- ?”
Han glanced up as well, “If I get snowed in I'll see you next chance I get. You know how to take of yourself. You'll do fine.”
Han jumped off the wagon and climbed up behind Ben. Ben wheeled the dark horse and kicked it into a gallop.
Adrian watched them disappear over the horizon while Burley plodded along.
