The pelting rain almost soaked through Thomas’ cloak before he spotted a well-worn trail leading off the main road and knew that he had found the holding he had been looking for.
He urged Missy down the track and soon saw a timber wall surrounding buildings that huddled together in the gloomy half-light of twilight. The leader of the last holding he had stayed at had told him about this place. Thomas hoped they would be friendly. He and Odda would both value a night under a roof, out of the rain.
The weather had been pleasant since he parted from Nectan and Brorda at Eoforwic almost a week ago. But soon after they woke this morning, the rain began. A steady drizzle at first, which turned into a downpour that showed no signs of letting up.
A man stood at the gate, watching him approach.
