Smouldering and charred timbers, strewn bloodied corpses and wailing widows, these were what I expected. But none of these horrors greeted us as we rode into the thriving settlement of Wedrebi.
Could it be that the king was ill-informed? Why did I find difficulty believing that? My subsequent inquiries proved that his informants were correct but, as for the pillaging, Edred had limited himself to one farmstead on the outskirts of the town. Again, on riding there, my bleakest expectations thankfully were rebutted. The only smoke issuing from the roof was that, presumably, of a hearth. A more idyllic scene was difficult to imagine. To say I was confused would have been an understatement. The farmer welcomed my warband with a miserable face and a tale to match.
“My name is Wulfnod, I’ve liv
