As night descended over the bleak countryside, silence began to blanket the Cheshire plains only to be interrupted by the occasional call of a wild animal and the hissing of rain falling into a small campfire where a small pot of warming tisane was brewing.

Mud caked leather boots stretched towards the flames and their owner sat under a oiled skin that served as bedding as well as impromptu shelter. The young knight was thoroughly miserable, but she could only imagine how miserable the other defenders of the country were and hopefully the enemy was in a similarly pathetic state.

Finally the shivering young woman gauged her tea as being ready and she poured a good measure into her wooden cup. The uplifting smell of chamomile filled the air under the rather worn travelskin and gave Ish the first proper warm feeling of her entire day. Even lunch had consisted of sodden bread with some dried meat. Not even the peasants were to be seen around today and seeing a desolate and shabby looking stranger in wet leather clothing would have only gotten the young woman chased away with packs of hounds.

She shifted to lean against the treestump behind her and wished fervently she was back home in Meirionnydd with its hills, rivers and forests and the pounding of the Irish Sea against the shore not far from her steading. Not even the moon managed to illuminate the bleak surrounding landscape through the clouds, making her feel quite alone in the dark.

Supper consisted of some more sodden bread which she toasted over the fire with the help of a long stick and another cup of the chamomile tisane. Soon after she bedded herself under the oiled skin and hoped for some sleep. The treck ahead would still last a few days and she sure hoped not to come across any of the marauders as a lone knight of little means would surely be nothing more than small bait and a target for their bloodsports. The thought made her shudder and she resolutely chased her worries away with thoughts of a blazing fire in the hall of her steading and the roast hog she was promising herself for her return.