Daniel, the apprentice herdsman, and Odo were near Falls Ende, collecting cow manure which Odo sold as fuel to the weavers who used it to bleach fabric. It was another cold, frosty morning, and they'd turned the cattle out early and trudged up the field with barrows when Daniel pointed out a figure on horseback riding towards them. It was only half-light, and as the horse approached, Odo recognised the figure of Reeve Merick. As Merick never idly passed by at this time of day, he could only surmise that the reeve was the bearer of bad news. He felt the pang of anxiousness grow in his stomach.
Even from a distance they could hear the reeve yelling: "Yer cursed cows and bull! Damn ye, Odo Read!"
Odo dropped his spade and began to run back down the field towards Merick.
"What do yer say?
