[Nonesuch]

Shambling along the road was an ill-kempt man. His hair might have been blonde but was matted with dirt so that its color could not easily be determined. On his feet were roughly fashioned shoes made of leather and string. They kicked up dust as he shuffled along slowly towards no specific destination.

One arm hung by his side, useless and shrivelled; the hand fixed in a permanent and immovable claw. His other arm worked well enough, though his palm and fingers were calloused and his nails dirty. Grey and tattered were his clothes though they might have begun as some other color. A belt of rope held up his trousers which were a bit too short and revealed dirty and scuffed shins. On the belt hung a scabbard of black leather trimmed with blackened metal. In it was a short sword with well-fashioned hilts. Its pommel was covered with a patch of cloth bound by strips of leather.

A Man of the Mark passed by at a fast trot, mounted on a fine steed. The man stepped to the side and looked up as the golden-haired rider clattered by without a glance. With a hint of a shrug, the man walked on. He approached a large building with stables and outlying sheds, encircled by a shoulder-high wall. Fumbling through his pockets, the man withdrew a handful of copper coins. These he returned to his pocket with sagging shoulders. He looked briefly up at the sky before shuffling on.

Again he heard the sound of hooves behind him. Once more, he stepped to the side of the road to allow the horse and rider to pass. However, the rider slowed and paused beside the man. The green field and white horse of the Eotheod gleamed upon the rider's livery in the westering sun. The horse stepped restlessly from side to side as its rider contemplated the grim aspect of the traveller. Then, with a slight grin, the rider dug into a pouch and tossed a few silver coins to the man who caught them neatly with his good hand before they reached the ground. They each nodded and continued on their ways.

The traveller took the path to the large building and stopped below a placard bearing the sign of the White Horse. He swayed from side to side uncertainly as he fingered his new found wealth and looked longingly at the door.