9th February, 1632

Today we were ambushed by highwaymen on Middleton Lane, 3 vagrants who attempted to loot us. The encounter was short and swift, with one of the villains slain by Rupert, and the others fleeing. Ordinarily we would have given chase to bring them to justice for daring to attack those who do God's work, but we cannot dally. We are sheltering in some old ruins tonight, and hope to reach Chalton by the 11th, barring any other incidents.

"Only in the fires of righteousness can the stain of darkness be purged"