After leaving Strawberry, Hank Chesterfield became a drifter, a man of the open road. Restlessness drove him across state lines, through bustling towns and untamed wilderness. He found himself in places as varied as the sweltering bayous of Lemoyne and the wide-open plains of New Hanover. It was during one of these wandering spells, on a train heading east from Colorado Springs, that fate introduced him to Helen Clarke.

Helen was unlike anyone Hank had ever met. Born into a family of miners, she carried a spark in her eyes and a toughness that belied her graceful demeanor. Her stories of striking gold deep in the mountains or panning rivers for hours without rest captivated Hank. There was something magnetic about her—a combination of determination and charm that made her impossible to ignore. Before the train reached its destination, the two had struck up a bond. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, they’d decided to try their luck together in the goldfields.

For months, Hank and Helen roamed from creek to creek, hoping to catch the glint of “color” in the swirling water. She taught Hank the finer points of prospecting: how to read the currents, spot promising gravel beds, and tell fool’s gold from the real thing. Their partnership was equal parts enterprise and companionship, and though their haul was modest, they made the most of their evenings around the campfire—sharing laughter, plans, and occasionally a drink or two.

Eventually, whispers of fresh gold veins back in Strawberry reached their ears. Hank couldn’t ignore the pull of his hometown, and Helen, ever the optimist, was eager to see if the rumors held any truth. Together, they returned to the familiar forests and streams that Hank had known so well in his youth. Days turned into weeks of relentless work, crouched by icy rivers with pans in hand, but the results were underwhelming. A few nuggets here and there kept their spirits afloat, but the goldfields were far less generous than they’d hoped.

Then came the day Helen announced she’d be heading back to Colorado. Her family’s claim in the Rockies needed tending, and she wasn’t sure how long she’d be gone. Though the parting was amicable, it left Hank feeling hollow. Without Helen’s vibrant presence, the search for gold began to feel increasingly futile.

Realizing he couldn’t survive on a prospector’s income alone, Hank knew it was time to find steadier work. The tools of his youth—axes, saws, and hammers—still felt natural in his hands, but he wasn’t eager to return to Strawberry’s timber mills. He’d seen a wider world now and felt he had more to offer.

As the leaves began to turn and autumn settled over New Alexandria, Hank found himself at a crossroads. With his funds running low and his partner gone, he knew he had to adapt or starve. Though the future was uncertain, Hank Chesterfield had never been one to shy away from a challenge.

And so, with his sleeves rolled up and his boots worn thin, he set out once more—not for gold this time, but for a new purpose, wherever the road might lead.

After months of wandering and scraping by, Hank Chesterfield stumbled upon an opportunity that would change the course of his life. The Frontier Railway Company was hiring, and though the idea of working with locomotives wasn’t something Hank had considered before, the prospect of steady work appealed to him. The job listing described an opening for a stoker—someone who’d shovel coal or feed wood into the firebox to keep the train running smoothly. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was familiar; after all, Hank had been working with wood for most of his life.

He was called in for an interview with Archie Claiborne, the grizzled foreman at the company’s offices in Saint Denis. Claiborne was a man of few words, but he liked Hank’s straightforward demeanor and strong work ethic. “You’ll get your hands dirty, boy,” Archie had said, sizing Hank up with sharp eyes. “But you look like you can handle it.”

With that, Hank was given the green light to begin training. The man responsible for shaping him into a railway worker was none other than Gale Harper, one of the most respected engineers in the Frontier Railway Company. Harper was a legend among the railmen, known for his precision and calm demeanor under pressure. To Hank, he was an ideal mentor.

Under Gale’s guidance, Hank learned not just the basics of stoking and maintenance but the art of running a train. From mastering the delicate dance of pressure gauges and throttle levers to understanding the rhythm of a locomotive’s chugging engine, Hank threw himself into the work with everything he had. By the time he earned the title of train engineer, he felt a sense of pride he hadn’t experienced in years.

Hank quickly came to love life on the rails. He’d often joke that his “office” had the best view in the whole goddamn world, with sweeping vistas of the New Alexandria wilderness rolling past his window. Whether he was transporting goods through the misty forests of Roanoke Ridge or ferrying passengers between the bustling stations of Saint Denis and Valentine, Hank felt alive in a way he hadn’t since leaving Strawberry.

One of the first friendships Hank forged on the railway was with George Baldwin, a fresh-faced brakeman new to the Frontier Railway Company. George was eager to prove himself, brimming with energy and a sharp sense of humor that made the long hours on the rails fly by. Despite his inexperience, George’s quick thinking and willingness to learn impressed Hank, and the two quickly developed a strong rapport.

They often found themselves working side by side on demanding routes, with George managing the cargo and brakes while Hank kept the engine roaring. Their teamwork grew naturally, each finding confidence in the other’s capabilities. Many of their routes took them to Annesburg, a gritty mining town that Hank found more interesting with every visit. As they shared stories and laughter between shifts, their partnership solidified into a genuine friendship, making even the toughest days on the rails feel a little lighter.

It was during one of these stops in Annesburg that Hank discovered the Hunter’s Lodge, a cozy little establishment nestled on the edge of town. The lodge was run by Don Collier, a gruff but good-hearted man; Eva Miller, a sharp-witted woman with a knack for cooking up meals that could make anyone feel at home; and Niels Arvidsson, a cheerful Swede who kept the drinks flowing and the atmosphere light.

Hank took to the place immediately. After a long shift on the rails, there was nothing better than sinking into a chair at the lodge, swapping stories with Don, Eva, and Niels over a hot meal or a cold drink. Before long, the lodge became more than just a pit stop—it became a second home. The trio’s warm camaraderie and genuine kindness reminded Hank of the simpler days back in Strawberry, and he came to think of them as family.

When Hank wasn’t working, he’d often join his new friends on adventures into the countryside. Whether it was hunting trips with Don, exploring the rugged wilderness with Eva, or sharing a laugh-filled trek with Niels to discover hidden corners of the region, their outings were always memorable. These escapades offered Hank a sense of camaraderie and excitement that perfectly balanced the demanding life on the rails. Together, they forged bonds that made the Hunter’s Lodge feel like far more than just a stopover—it became a cornerstone of his new life.

Life on the rails had brought Hank full circle. Though the work was demanding, and the future was as uncertain as ever, he’d found a new rhythm—a balance between duty and friendship, motion and rest. The world was wide, the tracks stretched endlessly into the horizon, and Hank Chesterfield was right where he belonged.

Intimate Friends


Close Friends
Eva Miller
Don Collier
Helen Clarke
Niels Arvidsson

Entrusted
George Baldwin

Acquaintances
Anoinette Hollice
Archie Claiborne
August Weber
Bell Pines
Casey Jackson
Gale Harper
Grady Briggs (deceased)
Himmel Liljedahl
James Lin
Johan Espeland
Leandra Pador
Shane Wilson
Quincy Cooper
Vinny Brackeen

Untrusted acquaintances