As Tristan had promised, the North Road was the only warded route leading to the newly built Greystone storehouse and waystation.
At dawn, wagons lined up nose-to-tail near the manor's gatehouse. Last-minute safety checks were carried out by each merchant's crew.
Mira stood beneath a freshly painted board fixed to the gatepost and announced for all to hear:
NO TOLLS COLLECTED ON THE ROAD
ALL FEES WILL BE ISSUED RECEIPTS
FEES COLLECTED ONLY AT THE MANOR (STATION ONE) BEFORE DEPARTURE
ADDITIONAL FEES COLLECTED AT GREYSTONE PASS (STATION TWO) FOR STOREHOUSE & WAYSTATION UPON ARRIVAL
Below the words was a simple mark she had carved herself: a wolf encircled by a wardstone ring.
