The Mercenary Group didn't have much heavy stuff when they came, but on the return, they had bundles of fur, porcupine quills, and a heavy shield. These slowed down the horses, especially the heavy shield, which required a cart to carry. They made a cart for it and pulled it with two horses.
Halfway through the journey, an arrow zipped out from the trees beside them, barely landing in front of the leading group.
"Be on guard,"
Leider signaled everyone to slow down because there was a horse-impeding array up ahead, and charging into it would surely result in a nasty fall.
They were being ambushed!
The mercenaries pulled the reins to slow their horses and drew their weapons, whether longswords or longbows, watching their surroundings warily.
