“Stay here a few days?” Eadric asked in a tone that suggested mostly surprise but also a hint of disbelief. He was not the kind of man who needed that much nursing, he thought to himself, and decided to prove the point by sitting up again.<br/><br/>“I’m sorry but… ooooh…” he added as the will to stand melted away with an even greater bout of nausea. Lying back down gently he had to close his eyes to not witness the woman and her candles spinning around him. When he spoke again his voice was weak and contrite.<br/><br/>“Perhaps, yes… a few days may be… helpful.” He added with a sigh. It took him a moment before he could reply to her other question.<br/><br/>“His name is Alerin – a common thief from the streets of Eoforwīc who resettled in Hexham. The man preferred to steal from our churches, God help him. He was brought before the Bishop and found guilty but managed to flee before his hanging. I have been tracking him for much of the last two days as he fled across the Pennines. Did he survive? Have you seen any sign of him?”<br/><br/>“Also, is this your home?” he asked with a grimace as he adjusted his position in the bed. “It is lovely,” he added genuinely although in some pain. Most homes in Hexham were of simple wattle and daub construction, so he was not accustomed to any more elaborate surroundings than this. “Warm and pleasant. Tell me though, will your husband take offense at a man convalescing here? I do not wish to be any trouble for you. Also, I am a man of means. I fully intend to pay you for your healing services, and for whomever is caring for my horse.”<br/><br/>Although weak, his words were sincere; he genuinely did not want to be a bother.