Summary

Though he ached and was covered in soot, the boy did not relax until hours after the sounds of the men had ceased. Exhausted, he fell asleep still perched in the tower. He was awoken by a muffled yell from the goatherd, followed by the thud of a body collapsing. The boy panicked as he climbed down. He found the goatherd unconscious and barely breathing. Unable to tell what had happened in the dark, he curled up next to the old man and waited.

In the morning light, the boy saw that the goatherd had been viciously beaten by the bailiff and his men. He was covered in blood, and only woke after the boy slapped him. The boy ran to get him water, but he found that the men had poured out their flasks. They had also ransacked their supplies and killed all...