The wooden wheels creaked slightly as the brown horse set Damaris' cart in motion, pulling it. The gravel road was still covered in a fine early morning mist, and the sun was cutting through the woods ahead. Small wildflowers curved in the light breeze, while the surrounding trees wrapped them in a kind of natural tunnel.
Willow looked at Damaris, who seemed to concentrate on driving the cart, his eyes fixed on the road and his expression unconcerned. He decided to ask about Clairborne — he needed to understand who he was dealing with, and Damaris, being a merchant, might know more than Lidia had told Willow.
"Damaris, I have a question. Would you mind answering it?"
"As long as it's not too personal, like how many baths I take a month while I'm on the road, I'll be happy to help."
Willow laughed at his joke. "What exactly do you know about Mrs. Clairborne?"
