Toma trudged back from the river bend after handing the lead wagon to Jonas.
He steered the empty harness cart toward the water sheds while the freight waited beyond the bend for its ambush. The mine's alarm reached that convoy as riders appeared east of the yard, dragging Juna and Loccy across the ridge.
Brant dropped his rule as the third bell drove everyone behind the defenses.
"Inspection banners, my lord," he shouted, jabbing at the eastern approach, "they want the ore confiscated and our barricade down before their captain reads a word!"
Hajin raised the spyglass while Juna vaulted onto the walkway beside him.
Twenty-four mounted men spread across the approach with crossbows against their saddle horns while Hajin hunted behind them for wagons. The captain held his confiscation scroll high above the waiting troop without bringing a single team to haul the ore.
Juna's ears swiveled toward the thicket overlooking the road beyond the riders.
