42
The smell of smoke grew stronger as they rode. Soon it was visible in the air around them, curling through the trees.
Celyn reined in Arawn, putting up his hand, and they all pulled their horses to a halt. “How much further, Father?”
“The trees thin out ahead, and then we will be upon it. It—” Eata stopped abruptly, interrupted by a thin moan which pierced the air. “God, have mercy!”
Celyn pulled his sword out of his sheath. “Follow closely!”
After a short gallop, they broke out of the trees and reined their horses to a halt, surveying the scene before them.
The holding was ablaze. Three structures burned, the flames snapping and crackling, throwing heat into the winter’s chill air. A fourth larger structure stood unharmed. There were empty pens where pigs had been and a dead goat
