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The Eagle’s Walkway is a pass that teh to take it It reat way to cut several days off of the journey from the Lower Valley to the Southern Plains, but often, the cost for those days ends up being a whole lot of trouble

That’s not to say that Roderick was being a coo Really, he was just being ambitious He knehat risks the pass would present, especially considering the extra weight he had packed in his wagon, but he also knew that he could do very well in the southern lands if he didn’t waste a moment The imperial invasion left most people low on basic supplies and in need of currency This resulted in a lot of good deals for the young tradesman as he rushed from town to town

He realizes noever, that the gamble hasn’t been worth the reward as he withdraws his head fro a weakened and cracked axle Deep down, he feels that he is getting what he deserves anyway Not simply because he had overburdened his trade cart and anireediness that had caused him to acquire so much merchandise in the first place

“There’s no room for a heart in business,” his father always used to tell hi to give a lot for just a little It’s not your fault for their misfortunes That’s just the market”

His mother would then usually interrupt and scold the two of the so selfish Whenever Roderick heard such talk from his father, histo prey on people’s needs so callously Even though she’s gone now, he still feels her disapproval like a disgruntled angel on his shoulder, but business has been so good that he just can’t get hiuilt

“I promise this will be the last time,” he says to the sky, sure that his mother can hear him and will help him out of this jam if he is penitent

He says this every tiain, and he knows it Where there is a deal to be had, he is going to make it He’s already saved up a small fortune, which he had luckily deposited in a nu he didn’t loseuntil he has enough round up Maybe then he’ll have time for a family

Before his mother died, she made him swear that he would eventually settle down and start one, but he only half-proh money to be able to have a proper home to support a wife and children Deep down, both of them knew that it would take a miracle for that to happen

Accepting what he has to do to ensure that he’ll be able to arrive at the next toithout his cart breaking down, Roderick hastilyfor a shovel Moving this and that to the side for several ed deep below al else

Returning to the road, he looks around to judge his prospects The ground this high in the pass is sure to be rocky and shallow, but he needs to find sooods he is transporting That way, he can reduce the pressure on the cracked axle, which will only get worse carrying so much

‘No one will come this way for a while,’ he thinks to himself ‘Even if I bury it all shallowly, I’ll probably be the first person back even a month from now’

Still, he surveys the ground, walking a ways off the beaten path to find a less conspicuous location To his surprise, he locates what turns out being a surprisingly soft spot of soil hidden behind so