Carrying his armour was a pain. Hell, wearing it all the time was a pain, but it was easier over the long haul. He needed to be quick more than he needed to be safe, so it remained off for now. He avoided major settlements and got disturbingly good at stealing food, more so from peoples' store sheds in passing sharecroppers than actually breaking in somewhere and raiding the pantry. That was not to say he didn't break into places. They were usually storehouses and tool sheds and other kinds of outbuildings, mostly just to find a place to get a few hours’ sleep away from the chill and elements outside. That led to more than a few occasions where he had to skedaddle from ill-gotten bed rests in the wee hours of the morning before somebody caught him. He left more than a few country ponies thinking their homes weren't safe from winter bound critters looking for a free meal.