The first batch from the quarry had arrived at the city fine. So had the second. The third, though. By then, enough time had elapsed for a response to be made.
The convoy approached along the road in a way that immediately felt wrong.
Beorn had been standing at the parapet for nearly ten minutes when they came into view. He observed the group as it crossed the final stretch of open ground.
He counted the figures as they moved closer. Then he counted again, just to confirm. The total was correct. Everyone who had left the gate earlier was now returning.
What was missing was the weight of what they should have been carrying.
The transport animals led the convoy, and the issue with them was visible even from the wall. The loads that should have been strapped to them were gone. Behind them came the workers, with hands hung empty at their sides.
