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 ...