Wonderful ending to this part of the story! Jake not only can see, since he sat up in bed, looks like all the nerve damage is now fixed!!!
I'm not sure if I can wait for you to rework the chapters... I have several questions but I cannot ask them here, without alerting those who haven't read this story to what may be coming (assuming some things were not changed)!
Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma... 🥴
I noticed that unmarked "thingy" when I first started looking at your map. Now we know what it is!
What we don't know is the scale of the map. You first said that it was a league from Remich to the turn-off to Helmsley Keep. If we use that as a constant (something tells me it isn't), then it is about 5 leagues (as the crow flies) to Tornel Keep. Not a long way away but enough, since it is through heavy forest.
Given the comments of the trader (“With that, ye could take th’ whole lot.”), they bought a substantial amount of food. That alone is suspicious and is something the trader will remember. Especially when questioned. Too many patrols to go to Remich or Summerton, which leaves only the north road...
Sure it does. I'm not saying what you write is wrong. Just that I can see how it might have advanced the story.
1) It provides a certain closure to Lord Helmsley's rage.
2) Provide the reason why Nathan did what he did and
3) Reveals who wanted the Heir dead. (That's 3 things that further the story.)
3a) Nathan could send the guys head to Helmsley as a peace offering?
4) This now could give Nathan the impetus to inquire about the who and why in future endeavors. (but that would turn him into a sort of good guy!)
What's done is done, however. So far, I'm enjoying the story, so please, don't take this as criticism. It's just a difference of opinion.
Hemsley had to meet Nathan. Satisfied his ego to capture his son's murderer.
I do agree that that Nathan did not render due diligence. If this is a habit, it will come back to bite him over and over.
Luckily, I get to read ahead to Chapter 4 to find out if Nathan gets hung (pun intended).
This is what happens when you are an assassin and you let your guard down... This is also why you need to be paranoid enough that crap like this rarely, if ever, happens.
It's so good to see that things are moving ahead with no speed bumps to upset anyone. Wonderful chapter.
I suppose it can't last. Life always has a habit of intruding... I hope it is not a devastating bump!