Chapter 7

Jumping to his feet, he spun around to come face to face with a man on a horse. A large hood shielded his face from the rain and from view. Behind him, another man cradled a shivering white dog in his arms.

“Thor!”

“Does this animal belong to you?” The question was laced with the same rusty laughter.

“Yes.”

The man nudged his horse closer. His features were still obscured, but Dexter saw eyes of the darkest blue, and a long, thin, hawk like nose. “Why were you running? Is something chasing you?”

Dexter shook his head. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt compelled to answer the man. “No. My dog, Thor, was frightened by the storm. He ran away before I could stop him.”

The man glanced over his shoulder, but only for a moment before his attention returned to Dexter. “You both look pretty bad.”

Dexter drew himself to his full height. “Not all of us can afford a horse with servants. I’m sorry of my appearance doesn’t please you.”