“Where will you go first?” I asked Velador while a squire readied his horse and he chose a shield from a handful of freshly painted kite and heater shields.

“Towards Shurchester while stopping in towns along the way to levy whoever has gear and is willing,” Velador stated and chose a broad heater shield, painted blue and yellow in alternating quadrants. The metal boss reflected his face at a funny angle.

“Please be safe,” I stated with care in my voice as I leaned ...