Chapter 5 The Knight's Last Meal

• Sir Roderick Ashford arrived at noon.
• I heard his horse before I saw him—a heavy, tired animal with labored breath and mud-caked hooves. The man on its back did not look much better. His armor was dented and rusted in places. His cloak was torn. His face was a mask of exhaustion and something deeper, something hollow.
• He dismounted slowly, like every movement cost him. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he pushed open the door.