Odo ran out of the forest close to where he'd entered two hours previously, and almost collided with Reeve Bodkin who sat astride an imposing courser. To his surprise, the reeve wore greaves and chainmail and a large broadsword swung from a belt at his waist. He looked more like a knight than a reeve and was accompanied by two other men, both sergeants, and all were similarly dressed.

Breathing hard from running, Odo slid to a stop and quickly took a step backwards to put a ...