Morning mist still lingered over the shallow banks of the Casmere river when the first group of villagers arrived.
They came from Lowmere.
Men with shovels slung over their shoulders, others carrying ropes, baskets, and crude digging tools. Most of them expected a normal day of fieldwork, not to be summoned by a Prince.
When they reached the river bend, they slowed.
Eric was already there.
He stood near the narrowed section of the river where the current struggled through the thick silt. His boots were planted in the damp soil while the supervising panel stood further back along the bank, speaking quietly among themselves.
The Lowmere farmers stopped a short distance away, unsure whether to approach or wait.
Then someone pointed.
More people were arriving from the opposite path.
Hillford.
The two groups noticed each other almost at the same time.
Murmurs spread instantly.
"What are they doing here?"
"Why are they here?"
"So the Prince called them too?"
