The ground around the shaft suggested heavy use, then abandonment. The rock near the entrance confirmed it.
The shaft collar remained intact, a dressed stone ring set firmly into the ground. Beorn noted that as a positive variable. He had expected worse degradation. The headframe, however, was gone. Only the mounting holes remained, empty sockets in the collar stone.
Around the rim, the soil was damp and stained with mineral residue, forming a ring about five feet wide. Moisture was rising from below.
Godric's militia moved into position before the carts fully stopped. They spread outward, forming a perimeter without needing instruction.
The mine crew reacted faster than Beorn expected. They were already off the benches and moving toward their assigned tasks.
Beorn and Aestrith advanced ahead of the unloading operation. For roughly twenty yards, no one followed. That gave them a brief window to talk without interruption.
"By the way, thank you," he said.
